We all want our beloved jewelry to last a lifetime, right?  When it comes to taking care of our jewelry, there’s one main rule we need to follow:  LAST ON FIRST OFF.  Jewelry should be the last thing you put on when you’re getting ready in the morning, and the first thing you take off when the day is over.  Why is this a good rule of thumb?

1. Tugging, even gently, on chains stresses them.  When you sleep in your necklaces, it can get tangled in your hair, sheets, pajamas and that isn’t good for chain links.  Remove your jewelry when playing with small kids or playing sports.  Chains are not elastic, and lightweight, dainty chains are not made to handle much strain.
2. Abrasives and corrosives weaken chains.  You might be thinking, but wait, I don’t put those materials on my jewelry!  I’m talking about lotions, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes.  The chemicals in common beauty products can be damaging to your favorite jewelry.  Grit or micro-crystals in products can be abrasive to metals and lead to wear and tear.  Remove your jewelry before showering, applying products, or cleaning your home.
3. Dirt can slowly grind on jewelry.  Take care to remove your jewelry before going to the beach or gardening.  Dirt and sand can be very abrasive and can scratch the metal, and over time can do some serious damage to your gorgeous jewelry - so take it off before you get dirty.

Follow the LAST ON FIRST OFF rule, and your jewelry should last a lifetime.  When you’re not wearing your jewelry, make sure you properly store it in an airtight container to prevent tangles and tarnishing.  Lastly, jewelry requires regular maintenance so clean it twice a year with quality polishing cloths or even better bring it to a jeweler to be professionally cleaned.