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Introduction to Beaded Jewellery Care

Understanding the unique reasons to care for your beaded jewellery

For me it has been a long life journey of adoring beads, and beaded jewellery made from all kinds of materials. And during this time, I have learned many reasons to care for beaded jewellery.

In our new era of the 21st century, beads are more commonly known to people in the forms of glass and plastic. But that has not always been the case for the thousands of years of bead production.

And keeping this in mind, you might strike it really lucky and fortunate to score a bead made from traditional materials, such as bone, amber, and precious gem stones.

To care for a bead is something considerably challenging at times and you can always find unique reasons to care for your beaded jewellery when you know more about the beads themselves.

One major reason to treat beads with a serious care factor, is because beads were used as money traditionally in many nations. Beads and beaded jewellery have represented an economic structure in our human evolution.

(Picture of Specimen $100 Australian money note and Amber trade Bead)

Another reason to consider caring for your beaded jewellery collection, is the not so obvious to some people, but beads and beaded jewellery can carry a significant value over time and generations.

So with these factors to consider, you might like to read on to learn how to care and clean your beaded jewellery for longevity.

The importance of regular maintenance to preserve aesthetic and value

With the aspect of maintaining the value of your precious beaded jewellery, there is great importance in keeping a routine of care.

• Keep a schedule of care days for your beaded jewellery.
• Make notes in a diary of beaded jewellery repairs
• Check on storage packaging and boxes once every 6 months
• Make sure insurance cover is up to date with new additions

Overview of different materials in beaded jewellery and their care requirements

As I mentioned the materials in beaded jewellery can vary greatly depending on the generation era and technology.

Beads can be made from animal bone, Amber, precious stones, wood, shells, metal, ceramics, clay, glass and more recently plastic resin.

(picture of sample of some beaded jewellery and lose beads)

You may be interested to read further about The History of Beads- Glass, Ceramic, Stone, Coral, Bone, Amber for more detailed information.

The other materials used are the types of threads and wire used to string the beads onto, such as cotton, hemp, wool, leather, and wires such as silver, gold and other base metals.

All individual materials require varied requirements to keep the beaded jewellery in pristine and good condition.

Step-by-Step Guide for Cleaning Beaded Jewellery

Gathering the right tools for the cleaning process

One thing to remember when cleaning beaded jewellery is to handle the jewellery with utmost delicate care and not to be distracted or rush in the procedure.

Some basic tools you will need are the following

1. Clean fresh water
2. Soft cotton dry cloth or towel
3. Soft polishing cloth, such as micro fiber
4. Biodegradable detergent
5. Ultrasonic jewellery cleaner

If you have never heard of an Ultrasonic Jewellery Cleaner, you can read my review here on an affordable VG2000 Cleaner, which I highly recommend.

Gentle cleaning techniques for various types of beads

One of the best ways to clean a lot of beaded jewellery is to wash gently under fresh cold water.

However it is to be noted that some beads made from certain soft porous stones, such as opals, need extra special care not to use chemicals in the water like alcohol or sulphates.

For beaded jewellery such as rare pearls strung on cotton chord, it is best to place them in an Ultrasonic Cleaner for gentle agitation to not damage the chord.

And make sure it is a dry sunny day for drying quickly of the cotton chord, so as it does not get mold inside the beads on the string.

Drying and polishing methods for a sparkling finish

The easiest way to dry beaded jewellery is laying flat on a cotton clean towel, and turning over or using fresh towels when the towel gets too damp.

A fan can be used to speed up the process of drying but try avoiding hot hair dryers to dry beads.

Micro fiber is extra soft and absorbs excess moisture easily, this is the nicest cloth to use for gently rubbing over your beaded jewellery.

Addressing common cleaning challenges and how to overcome them

The most common mistake when cleaning beaded jewellery is being to heavy handed when polishing with the micro fiber cloth By pulling to hard on the jewellery can cause the line or string to break.

I have also found that using abrasive toothpaste can rub beads to hard and scratch the shimmer or luster of the beaded jewellery.

The other problem with using toothpaste is it gets stuck inside the drilled holes of the beads which damages the chords.

Another tip, is to try not leaving beaded jewellery in the sun, as for some stones and other delicate beads can fade in color with too much sunlight.

Protecting Your Beaded Jewellery: Best Practices for Storage and Handling

Storing your beaded jewellery to prevent damage and tangling

It is totally necessary to store beaded jewellery in air tight sealed containers, either thick plastic bags or sealed boxes.

(picture of sealed clear plastic box with beaded jewellery and beads)

Cloth bags with draw strings can be also used to keep beaded jewellery protected from dust and moisture.

Appropriate environments for beaded jewellery storage

Air tight containers would be the best solution for storing beaded jewellery.

Remembering to keep beaded jewellery away from direct sunlight and damp moist areas.

I would also recommend making sure the storage boxes and containers are away from pests, such as rodents, flys, and cockaroaches.

Keeping the storage areas clean by using ultrasonic frequency pest control devices is a great idea.

These devices plug into power and send out vibrations that pests can not handle hearing and they depart.

Regular inspections and professional care tips

Setting aside time to review your beaded jewellery and the storage areas is highly advisable.

Lifestyle tips: wearing beaded jewellery safely to avoid damage

One of the biggest issues when people wear their jewellery is not taking it off the body before showering or bathing, or doing the dishes in the sink.

This habit will damage jewellery very quickly. Also wearing beaded jewellery when sweating and playing sports is not advisable.

Taking off your jewellery each night before sleeping and storing in cloth bags or sealed plastic bags is another good practice.

I would also like to include that wearing jewellery in the ablution block is somewhat up for discussion also.

It has been advised to me more recently from a Muslim leader, for spiritual practice is to take off jewellery and place in handbag or pocket before using toilets.

Final thoughts

As I am sure after reading how to care for your beaded jewellery, you might have some further questions and considerations in your mind.

Rest assured I am here to discuss any future enquires that may place you in a better perspective of caring for beads and jewellery, just ask me.

Send me an email at erica@silverflamze.com or sign up to Silverflamze’s newsletter for more tips and discussions, that may interest you.

With all my respect and genuine care.

Kind regards

Erica~ The jewellery designer creating heirlooms for future generations.