What happens if I keep my jewellery locked up for years?

Some of us have those sad pathetic jewellery pieces: abandoned, forgotten and have never seen the glory of daylight for who knows how long.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to jewellery when they’re locked away for many years, keep reading to find out.

Common reasons why jewellery is unworn

If it isn’t obvious enough, jewellery is supposed to be worn to enhance your look. It’s what they’re made for! But there are reasons that, we understand, may stop you from doing so. Here are some of them:

Time flies and change is inevitable. As years pass, your diamond solitaire rings may no longer fit your finger the way they used to.
Your jewellery might have lost their shine and brilliance. After all, there’s no joy in wearing faded and damaged accessories.
Fine jewellery isn’t cheap. Of course, you’d want to protect them from damage as much as possible. So, you decide to store them away to keep them secure.
If you’ve got jewellery that you haven’t chosen for yourself, chances are some designs don’t suit your personal style, leaving you with no choice but to keep them locked up instead.

Possible outcomes of keeping jewellery locked away

Brace yourself. After locking up your jewellery for years, you might get surprised the next time you check on them. Here’s what you might find:

Cracked gemstones

Some stones, such as pearls and opals, need moisture to maintain their stunning iridescent glow. Storing your pearl earrings, necklaces and bracelets in a warm area can cause the gems to dry up.

If you keep them there for long, don’t expect to see the mesmerising beauties they once were. The stones may have already cracked due to lack of air.

Tarnished metals

Metals, particularly silver and those that contain copper, are prone to tarnishing when excessively exposed to light. Now, you might think that the dark solace of a safety deposit box is a safe haven for silver jewellery.

Well, another factor to think about is humidity. Suddenly turning your air conditioner on or off on a hot day can create a humid environment inside the box, unknowingly exposing your jewellery to their greatest enemy.

The same old dazzling (or horrible) jewellery

If you’ve stored away your beautiful jewellery in their best condition and find them still as wonderful as ever, good for you. You’re a master of proper jewellery storage!

Sadly, your loose or tight rings and unappealing jewellery won’t magically turn out the way you want them to no matter how long you lock them up.

Ways to put your jewellery to better use

Don’t isolate your elegant jewellery pieces in a miserable box. They definitely deserve better than that! Instead of locking them away, here are some ways to give your jewellery justice.

For loose or tight rings, the solution is simple: have them resized! By doing so, you won’t have an excuse not to wear them.
If you have dull and damaged jewellery, bring them to a jeweller for repair. They’ll know exactly how to bring back every piece’s vibrancy.
Accept that everything has its purpose. And by serving that purpose, they’re meant to wear out in time. Jewellery is designed to glam you up – not spend most of their time unworn.
Repurpose old or uninteresting jewellery into a new piece. We’re sure a talented jeweller can easily make them trendier and extra appealing.