The more you care for your jewellery the longer it will last. Pearls will keep their lustre for longer, glass beads will keep their shine, silver will tarnish less, gems will keep their glow. Some gems are softer than others and will lose quality if rubbing against other jewellery.

A jewellers polishing cloth is handy to remove tarnish or dullness. A smooth manicure shine buffer (not an emery board!) works well on sterling silver or silverplate and goldplate, restoring its shine. Glass, pearls & gemstones should only be cleaned with a soft cloth.

Try to minimise the contact your jewellery has with makeup, hair products or perfumes as they can cause tarnish and dullness, even peeling or changing the colour of some beads. Jumping into the shower, bath, pool or sea with your jewellery on can have the same effect as well as damaging clasps etc. Even the natural oils in your skin can affect your jewellery. Check your pieces regularly and clean them if they need it. Always store your jewellery in a dry, mild environment. (The bathroom is not a good place to keep your jewellery!)

Rather than having all your jewellery jumbled together in a box or drawer or bag, try to keep them separate. Use soft cloth pouches for each piece of jewellery or hang your necklaces from hooks or jewellery stands so that they don't kink. Earrings can be hung on earring frames.

Regardless of how much you pay for your jewellery, all of it should be given the same attention and care so that you can continue to wear and enjoy all your jewellery.