How many times have you found a great looking piece of jewelry and then noticed that it was made with cheap materials?
How about someone swimming laps while wearing a diamond bracelet and chandelier earrings? Ever wonder why some people do not even wear a wedding ring at all?
Lifestyle is going to dictate what jewelry (if any) that you may want to consider purchasing. The next time you wander into a jewelry store or online to browse at all the sparklies, remember from whence you came first of all before you purchase!
Consider these ideas if you want jewelry that will last a lifetime:
- Buy pieces with quality craftsmanship.
- Choose durable designs and styles.
- Wear your jewelry wisely.
- Buy pieces made of thicker sterling silver or solid gold.
- Avoid costume jewelry
Jewelry can be expensive, so most people want to buy something they know will last. Jewelers often use specific types of metals and finishes on their products to ensure durability.
In this article, we are going to talk about some ways to find the right pieces for your lifestyle.
Table of Contents
What Jewelry Will Last Forever?
Some people mistakenly believe that all jewelry is created equal and will last forever. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
The types of jewelry that will last the longest are those pieces which are the most tolerant to wear, such as pieces made of sterling silver or solid gold that are thicker in gauge.
Gold is a very durable metal and, when used in jewelry, it is usually combined with other metals to create alloys which make the gold more resistant to scratches and tarnish. Sterling silver is also a good choice for durability as it contains 92.50% pure silver.
Some designs are more durable than others too.
For example, delicate earrings with intricate details may not be as sturdy as chandelier earrings which have a large amount of metalwork.
- If you select materials that are cheap, mass produced, made to look expensive by simply being plated with gold or rhodium, or being made with metals such as brass, copper or pot metal, be prepared for those to easily break, discolor or otherwise be damaged from normal use.
- Try not to be shocked if you look closely and find that jump rings break apart because they have not even been soldered closed, or metals that are particularly lightweight or thin shatter as your piece falls to the ground.
Usually, you do get what you pay for.
What Is The Highest Quality Jewelry?
Jewelry that is made from 18K gold or platinum is generally considered of higher quality simply because of the purity of the gold or the long lasting strength of the platinum.
High karat gold such as 18k or 22k or pure 24k means there are fewer alloys added and therefore are more expensive gram per gram.
The higher the karat however, the softer the metal.
Keep in mind that using those materials is not necessarily an indication of “high quality” workmanship in and of itself.
18k gold jewelry that is so lightweight that the ring shank bends out of round, or the prongs are soon worn down, or a chain easily breaks because of skimping on using a good amount of materials, is a sign that the quality is lacking regardless of the appearance.
Platinum is strong and durable, but it does tend to scratch easily in spite of that fact, and too much polishing of a thin platinum shank can wear it down and cause it to crack over time.
The highest quality jewelry will contain gemstones that are deserving of a significant amount of higher karat gold or platinum.
Gemstones must be cut well, which means they must be cut according to proportional standards for the intended form of the stone, of good rich color, and are clear rather than milky or cloudy.
Workmanship includes attention to the finishing work so that the piece when seen under higher power magnification, does not have hairline cracking in the metal or flea bite chips on the edges of gemstones, pitting in metal, or black inclusions seen in stones that are supposed to be transparent.
What Jewelry Is Waterproof?
Some jewelry is specifically designed to be waterproof. This usually means that it is made of a material that will not corrode or tarnish as easily when exposed to water, such as:
- stainless steel
- titanium
- platinum
- niobium
- tungsten carbide
- silicone
Waterproof watches are often made with these materials and they can also be used in rings, bracelets and earrings.
While some people might think that all gold is waterproof because it doesn’t corrode in air, the truth is that pure gold is not a good material for use in jewelry that will be exposed to water often because it is too soft.
Jewelry made from 18k or 22k gold however, is usually durable enough for regular use.
Silicone is the best choice if you want to make a piece that can withstand water without corroding or tarnishing and it also has the advantage of being able to be shaped into many different styles.
If you want to wear jewelry in water, then you first need to determine what KIND of water.
Salt water?
Fresh water?
Chlorine water?
What Ph level exactly?
Stainless steel, gold, titanium, platinum can usually be worn in water for a while without harm.
But few metals can stand the test of time when being doused repeatedly in water that is corrosive for the type of metal in question. Discoloration will probably be the first clue of overexposure to water that is having a negative affect on your jewelry.
A goldsmith can generally polish out the first signs of discoloration. Brittleness and cracking is a more serious result of metals that have seen too much time in the wrong types of water.
Tips for Selecting Jewelry That Will Last
If you want your jewelry to last, but you will often be exposed to chemicals while wearing it, then common sense dictates that you should reserve it for those times when chemicals are not going to be used.
The damage that will result to precious metals as well as gemstones is only going to cost you in terms of replacement/repair/sentimental loss.
Further, if you spend your day digging, dragging, or dousing yourself in dirt, dough or ditches, then your lifestyle is only conducive to wearing jewelry that you want to last when you are relaxing or going out on the town.
Unless of course, you live in a high crime area.
Unfortunately, someone has let the dogs out and criminals are now emboldened, and roam in packs. Take heed to be aware of those around you if you want to sport a fabulous piece of jewelry or a family heirloom.
It will last for certain, but just not in your possession.
Last, if you seem to have an inclination to gain and lose moderate amounts of weight, be advised that this yoyo type of lifestyle will result in visiting a local goldsmith to alter the size of your jewelry so you can wear it; from rings, to necklaces, to bracelets.
It only takes 25lbs of weight gain or loss for jewelry to get too loose or too tight to wear. Having your jewelry altered to fit over and over is risky because metals were never meant to be weakened by constant flexing.
With that in mind, these are some guidelines to selecting jewelry that will last you a lifetime.
1. Buy pieces with quality craftsmanship.
Jewelry that is well-made will last longer than pieces that are not. Look for fine jewelry with solid construction and tight joints.
Buy what you can afford, but hold off until you can afford better quality. Too often, haste makes waste because buying many cheaper pieces means that a better quality piece is passed up.
The truth is that while inexpensive jewelry may look good, it generally has to be replaced more often than quality pieces because it’s not well-made.
Jewelry constructed with sterling silver or gold will last much longer than costume pieces made from other metals like brass, copper, nickel and pewter; these are usually found cast in molds for mass production.
2. Choose durable designs and styles.
Keep in mind whether you need jewelry that will be worn every day or just on special occasions.
For example, buying an emerald ring and wearing it everyday is fraught with risk because emerald is a softer gemstone and subject to more damage with everyday use.
Buying an emerald necklace or earrings is a better choice if you want to wear it often because the gemstone is not in such high contact.
On the other hand, a gold necklace that has a solid gold chain and sturdy clasp will last much longer than one with a thin chain or no clasp at all.
When considering what type of design to buy, think about how often you will wear it and whether it is prone to snagging on fabrics or being damaged by contact with other objects.
3. Wear your jewelry wisely
Jewelry is meant to be enjoyed, but some pieces are just not practical for certain lifestyles. Make sure the jewelry you buy is not for wearing under inappropriate circumstances.
Do you ride in a bus or a subway, work in construction or swim daily?
Do you have your hands all over machinery or are you working in food service, housekeeping or in any profession that requires you to use chemicals, risks injury, or travel in less than safe areas?
Making your jewelry last in those particular circumstances often means not wearing it at those times.
If you’re not sure whether your lifestyle is too rough on jewelry, ask a jeweler. They will be able to help you make the best decision for your individual needs.
4. Buy pieces made of thicker sterling silver or solid gold.
Even the highest karat gold will wear down and bend or break if it is too thin. The heavier the metal, the stronger and more durable it will wear.
Before buying solid gold, remember that 24 karat gold is pure and very soft.
The other lower grades of gold are mixed with alloys and other metals to make them stronger.
If you choose designs that are delicate, such as a gold chain with a fine link, you may need to have it replaced more often because of the increased wear.
On the other hand, if you buy solid gold jewelry that is chunky or has a textured design, it will be less likely to show signs of wear.
5. Avoid costume jewelry.
It stands to reason that you should be certain that the metal and gem content that you have is clearly understood. If you “think” you have gold and real diamonds, but what you really have are cz’s and plated brass, then be prepared to have it discolor your skin and break after a short period of time.
Costume jewelry is made from metals like brass, copper, nickel and pewter, which are gold or silver plated.
This plating is prone to wear out very quickly.
Costume jewelry is also inexpensive and therefore does not last as long as solid gold (and other solid precious metals) which doesn’t always get worn down by contact with acid or chemicals in everyday life.
Costume jewelry often use lower-quality gemstones that don’t shine brightly for a long period of time under contact with acid such as the skin, sweat, perfumes and soaps on clothes.
A small amount of costume jewelers use more expensive gemstones such as cubic zirconia but it still won’t be as durable as solid gold or sterling silver.
Maintenance & Storage Tips For Your Jewelry
You can clean your jewelry at home to remove built up of lotions and grime simply by using hot water and a soft tooth brush.
There are sonic cleaners that you can buy that also work quite well; just add 1 part Mr. Clean to 5 parts of water.
Never put emeralds, opals or pearls in a sonic cleaner. The vibration will cause damage to the delicate structures of the stones and cause them to crack.
Whenever in doubt, don’t.
After you wear your jewelry, put it in a safe place that is not the typical jewelry box, because that is the first place a thief will head towards. Do not store jewelry inside a dresser drawer under a pile of underwear for the same reason.
You can buy specialty “diversion” safes that come in canisters that look exactly like cleaning products to store your jewelry in, just make sure that a trusted family member knows where you store it.
Be sure not to pile metal with metal to avoid unnecessary scratching of gems, or tangling and twisting of chains.
You can destroy a high quality piece of jewelry just the same as you can destroy a particularly expensive car by the way you drive it, where you take it, and whether or not you perform regular maintenance on it.
Final Thoughts
Only YOU can determine if your jewelry can last a lifetime.
You are the one who will determine the quality of what you own and the care of it before and after you wear it.
Jewelry is something that you can wear for a lifetime. If it’s solid gold, solid sterling silver or other durable metal like platinum, then it will last longer than costume jewelry and gemstones.
However, even the best metals will eventually wear out with time if they are not cared for properly.
If you’ve been wearing your best jewelry for more than a year and it shows prong or link wear, have it checked by a goldsmith. They will inspect it and you will be assured that you can wear it without fear of breakage or loss of stones.