The first thing you need to think about when you purchase vintage jewelry is how you will store it. If it came in it’s own box, you could always leave it there. Be careful if you decide to add it to your own jewelry box that it is not just thrown in with other jewelry. It should have it’s own compartment. If your jewelry box is not designed that way, then you could place each piece individually in small plastic bags obtained from most craft stores. This will protect your jewelry from scratches and you can also see easily which piece is in which bag.

Metal will always scratch other metal and jewelry with stones may also scratch metal so being careful not to put the jewelry in one pot with other metal jewelry will ensure that your vintage jewelry stays in the condition it was when you received it. Some metals are softer than others so it is even more important to protect those pieces. If two pieces of jewelry with stones are knocked together, the stone could loosen or worse you could loose the stone altogether. Vintage jewelry with rhinestones can be quite expensive and it would be a shame to loose a stone due to the lack of proper storage. An earring rack would be a great idea for earrings because usually they have the ability to clip, screw or pierce the earrings in pairs and keep them separate from other jewelry.

Chains are another type of jewelry that should be carefully stored. To keep your chains straight and to keep them from denting or bending, you should always hang them. If you do not have a jewelry box that has a place to hang your chains, you could simply put a nail on a board or a wall in a closet or bathroom to hang them from.

In addition to proper storage, the finish of your vintage costume jewelry must be protected. Some people think to protect the finish they must coat it with clear fingernail polish but this is not the case. Good costume jewelry is designed with a thick electroplate and will take years to wear off and the manufacturer typically coats the jewelry to prevent tarnish. To protect the finish, you will want to be very careful to remove the jewelry before using hairspray, perfume, cologne, or even cosmetics. If these products come in contact with your jewelry, it can wear the finish and even cause the jewelry to leave black marks where it comes in contact with the skin. Also be sure to remove your vintage rings before washing your hands and never wear them while working around the house.

If you need to clean your jewelry be sure to use a soft clean cloth and not a treated cloth. Also for stones, and electroplated jewelry you may gently wash them with a very mild soap and water solution. Gently cleaning your jewelry will remove perspiration, or oils from your body, or even any cosmetics that may have come in contact with your jewelry. Keep in mind that the better costume jewelry should be able to take a mild soap wash however, for the thinner plated jewelry you should just flash rinse it.

Costume jewelry is an investment in fashion and a look worth preserving. With proper care you will be able to wear your vintage costume jewelry for years to come.