Costume jewelry care advice

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hlzpenguin

Member
Jan 16, 2021
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Hey all,
I just purchased my first piece of costume jewelry ever because I am really in love with this piece. I have mixed feelings with costume jewelry because I believe that they are not as durable as fine jewelry and they are pricey. For those of you out there who own costume jewelry, what are your advices when it comes to care? Like how to you store them? Do you wipe them with microfiber cloth? Thanks in advance!
 
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i have a lot of CC studs, i don’t particularly baby them but i take them off when i’m home from work/outside, i don’t sleep or take a shower with them, i put them on after i use my parfume.

i only had one gem lost from one single earring and that was literally beause my hair and ear piece of my surgical grade mask got tangled within the CCs and i accidentally yanked my hair making the earring fell on the ground.
 
i have a lot of CC studs, i don’t particularly baby them but i take them off when i’m home from work/outside, i don’t sleep or take a shower with them, i put them on after i use my parfume.

i only had one gem lost from one single earring and that was literally beause my hair and ear piece of my surgical grade mask got tangled within the CCs and i accidentally yanked my hair making the earring fell on the ground.
Does the metal get tarnished over time?
 
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Does the metal get tarnished over time?
It does tarnish. I have large silver studs from about 3/4 years ago, and I'm noticing very light dark spots. I never cleaned them, but I also only wear them out to events/dinners. I used mild shampoo and a toothbrush, that seemed to have taken off some of the dark discoloration, but not all. I also have the classic large pearl dangle earrings that got stained from the velvet pouch provided by Chanel. Brushing lightened the stain ever so slightly but they're definitely stuck. I noticed that they changed the fabric of their pouches to smoother fabric rather than the velvet-like one that stained my earrings. I have a feeling that the new material is an improvement.

Chanel costume jewelry are definitely not forever pieces. Now, I rarely buy them. I'm more inclined to invest into brands like Cartier or even non-branded genuine gold pieces. Those will last several lifetimes.
 
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It does tarnish. I have large silver studs from about 3/4 years ago, and I'm noticing very light dark spots. I never cleaned them, but I also only wear them out to events/dinners. I used mild shampoo and a toothbrush, that seemed to have taken off some of the dark discoloration, but not all. I also have the classic large pearl dangle earrings that got stained from the velvet pouch provided by Chanel. Brushing lightened the stain ever so slightly but they're definitely stuck. I noticed that they changed the fabric of their pouches to smoother fabric rather than the velvet-like one that stained my earrings. I have a feeling that the new material is an improvement.

Chanel costume jewelry are definitely not forever pieces. Now, I rarely buy them. I'm more inclined to invest into brands like Cartier or even non-branded genuine gold pieces. Those will last several lifetimes.

Thanks for the info. Maybe I’ll try to store it in a closed environment on glass or ceramic surface. Hopefully that can minimize the chances of it being tarnished quickly.
 
How do you store your costume jewellery? Do you guys keep it in the pouch or at a tray? I am considering moving them to a tray so I can see them better and hopefully wear them more.
 
You should just avoid perfumes or hairspray on it.. first thing off and last thing on! as a golden rule I worked in jewellery.

I think Chanel CJ do last despite what others say I see vintage pieces coming up for £100s! As long as you look after them and use a soft cloth to gently clean them store them in the pouch of box they should be fine. It only tarnishes if it gets dirty and doesnt get cleaned
 
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