12 Top Jewellery Mistakes (that we wish you’d stop making)

As an Australian jeweller, I suspect you’re making all sorts of mistakes with your jewellery that I really wish you weren’t. It could be down to lack of time or bad habits, but most likely it’s because you simply don’t have enough information to realise what the problems might be.

So I’m here to help you correct your errors by listing my top 12 jewellery mistakes and how to avoid them – for your own sake. They will help you save time, money and keep your jewellery (and yourself!) looking great.

Let’s get started:

1. Not understanding the materials used to make jewellery

When shopping for jewellery you should always be clear on what the pieces are made from. If the seller doesn’t specify the materials then it’s likely the designs are not made from silver, gold, rose gold or other precious metals. If you’re unclear, then you should always ask before you buy, especially for higher priced items.

Just because a piece of jewellery is gold or silver in colour doesn’t mean it’s made from those specific metals. In particular if a piece of jewellery gives the appearance of being gold but it’s inexpensive, then it’s almost certainly not gold at all: at best it will be very thinly plated. Gold is a very expensive metal and there is no such thing as cheap gold jewellery. Find out more about gold and different types of gold used in jewellery.

Base metal jewellery, such as brass or nickel, is unlikely to wear well over time and may turn your skin black or green. It may even cause allergic reactions or worse – and that’s especially the case with nickel, which we strongly recommend you avoid wearing. Thinly plated jewellery may fairly quickly wear through to the base metal beneath.

You should also know what any gemstones are: whether they are lab grown or natural, or whether they are entirely fake. Any of these options are fine in the right circumstances, but it pays to be aware of what you’re spending your hard earned money on.

Of course low cost costume jewellery has its place and if you’re happy for a design to be a relatively short lived fashion piece and your skin will tolerate the materials, then that’s perfectly okay.

Just keep in mind: knowledge is power. Read our handy articles to get the lowdown on gold and sterling silver so you better understand what the deal is with these precious metals, along with why they’re so valuable and useful in jewellery. Also look at our jewellery glossary, which has over 100 definitions for jewellery terms: it will totally get you up to speed with jewellery jargon when you’re shopping.

2. Wearing the same jewellery every day

Even I know how easy it is to slip into the habit of wearing the same pieces day in, day out and almost never taking them off. But it’s a good habit to break for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, your everyday jewellery will get grimy in places you can’t see or in ways that you don’t necessarily notice because the changes take place slowly. That’s especially the case for stud earrings where part them is hidden behind your ear lobe, gathering chemicals from washing your hair and potentially leading to infections.

You should take off your everyday pieces regularly to give them a clean with some warm soapy water and a soft bristled brush. I recommend doing this every 1-2 weeks. See below for more tips about cleaning your jewellery.

Secondly, you’ll be boring and nobody wants that! So have a think about the jewellery you have in your collection and how you can use more of it on a regular basis.

If you don’t have much jewellery or your collection has some gaps in it, then come up with a plan to add more pieces over time (including dropping big hints to loved ones at the right times of year, of course).

3. Not being creative with jewellery and accessories

Related to tip 2: don’t be boring!

When the seasons change is a great time to do some experimenting in front of a mirror with different outfits and accessories, especially including jewellery. Be as creative as you can with combinations and make notes of what works for you so you’ll remember to mix it up as you’re getting dressed for work or different occasions.

Also make note of any types of pieces you wish you had to extend your wardrobe further. Making the right investment in jewellery and accessories can add a great deal of creativity and versatility to your wardrobe for years to come.

You should check out our 15 top jewellery style tips for more advice on making the most of your jewellery collection while not losing yourself in the process.

4. Not cleaning your jewellery

As alluded to above, this is a big one. So many people fail to clean their jewellery regularly, if at all. It can be easy to miss the build up of general grime and tarnish, but – believe me – it will be there and it will be noticeable to others.

You wear jewellery against your skin and clothing for extended periods while undertaking all sorts of activities, so of course it will need cleaning from time to time, just as your clothing does.

I recommend scheduling a thorough clean of your jewellery at least twice a year (or more often depending on how you wear and store your pieces and if you live in a humid location). The transition into warmer and cooler months of the year is a great time to do it. This can involve anything from a quick wash with a gentle soap through to more complex tarnish and grime removal, depending on the pieces.

It pays to educate yourself about how to clean your jewellery safely and correctly. If you’re in a hurry check out our 10 tips to quickly clean jewellery as a starting point, but you should definitely delve deeper into our comprehensive jewellery cleaning & care guide.

Don’t forget to add cleaning your jewellery as a recurring task in your diary.

5. Using bad jewellery cleaning methods

While it’s better to make an effort to clean your jewellery than to not to do it at all, not all cleaning methods are created equal and some may permanently damage your precious pieces. So beware!

Cleaning your precious silver or gold jewellery with toothpaste is really not a good idea. It’s abrasive and it will deplete the metal over time, making heirloom pieces less and less valuable. It may also terminally damage finishes. Same goes for using baking or bicarb soda paste which is rubbed against the metal to clean it: just don’t do it.

This is especially a very bad idea when it comes to alternatives to solid gold, such as gold vermeil, gold filled or gold plated. You are likely to remove the precious gold from the surface of your jewellery and it may be difficult or impossible to repair. Learn more about different types of gold to help you understand why.

Using any form of alcohol with gemstones is likely to also be a bad idea. In fact my favourite tip is to use alcohol for drinking purposes only, should that be your sort of thing! This is especially important for more porous gems like pearls, opals, turquoise and lapis lazuli.

I recommend that you avoid harsh chemicals coming into contact with your jewellery altogether, unless those chemicals are specifically recommended by professionals for cleaning the type of jewellery you have. Read the care and cleaning articles linked to in tip 4 for advice.

6. Wearing your jewellery while swimming or showering

There a few reasons to avoid wearing your jewellery in water.

Firstly, it can be easy to lose your pieces – especially when showering. If the idea of your precious gold ring slipping off and going down the drain terrifies you, then it’s really not a good idea to take the risk. Instead, find a safe place to put your jewellery while you’re showering and make it a routine.

Also you’ll find that your earrings, necklaces and gemstone rings are likely to get gummed up by the residue from shampoos, conditioners and soaps over time. If you do keep some pieces on when you shower or bathe, then make sure you take them off every few weeks to give them a good clean: stud earrings especially, as outlined above.

In particular, you should avoid getting pearls and opals wet repeatedly, as long term exposure to water and other chemicals may permanently damage and discolour these stones.

Finally, if you’re going for a swim, I recommend you leave your jewels safely at home.

Swimming in pools or the sea while wearing precious metal jewellery is never recommended. Chlorine used in pools or jacuzzis can discolour silver and many gemstones – and it can even potentially weaken gold. As for salt water, it can dull diamonds and erode soldered parts in metal jewellery. And nobody wants that.

7. Not storing your jewellery appropriately

Avoid storing your jewellery in a place where humidity is an issue, especially bathrooms. Sterling silver jewellery in particular will tarnish faster in humid places, meaning more time you’ll need to spend cleaning it.

You should also store your precious jewellery away from free flowing air. In part it will simply get dusty and grimy, but sterling silver and other metals will tarnish a lot faster when left unworn in the open air.

Also be aware that metal jewellery which gets jumbled up and can easily rub against other metal, gemstones or hard surfaces will get damaged. You want to avoid scratching and scuffing silver and gold especially, but also softer gemstones.

I recommend storing your jewellery in a dedicated jewellery box, jewellery roll or even keep each piece (or pair) in its own small padded box. This will limit the exposure to flowing air and humidity. Depending on your storage set up it can also help to prevent scratching and tangling. The gift boxes which come with our online jewellery orders will be perfect.

If you prefer to display your jewellery on a necklace tree or similar, then be prepared to clean it much more regularly – and don’t forget to dust it too!

8. Not clasping necklaces after taking them off

Related to 7: you should always clasp your necklaces when you take them off. This will help to avoid tangled chains which can be very difficult to pull apart. As a jeweller, I spend a lot of time untangling lengths of chain and I can assure you that it’s not a lot of fun.

If you’re still having trouble with tangles, then look at using straws or other tubing to help you out. You can put one end of the necklace through the straw before clasping it, which will make tangles pretty much impossible for most necklaces.

9. Not considering the ethics behind the jewellery you buy

This tip is one I’m especially passionate about as jewellery can be a bit of an ethical minefield (and we genuinely work hard to be as ethical and eco-friendly as possible).

Here are some issues I recommend you consider when shopping:

• Does the jewellery business use recycled precious metals where possible? Does it recycle its own metals?
• Are gemstones ethically sourced – especially diamonds and other high value stones, which have the potential to come from war zones?
• Are lab grown or simulated gemstones used when suitable? These are generally more ethical and sustainable than mined stones while still being high quality.
• Does the seller design and make their own jewellery pieces? If not, where are the pieces made and are working conditions ethical?
• Is the seller up front about the type of materials used in their designs?
• Are the prices appropriate? Too cheap means almost certainly means that someone is being ripped off somewhere along the line (and it could even be you!).
• Check out our article on how to truly support independent designers and why it’s great to shop small, shop local and handmade.

10. Buying jewellery from cheap retail chain stores

I’m not naming any names, but you know the types of shops I’m talking about: they’re the big jewellery chain stores you see in many shopping malls and online. They promise a world of sentimental sparkles for not a lot of money.

Sometimes their pieces are sourced from people working in very poor conditions and often the workmanship is shoddy – to the point of their jewellery not being repairable if and when something goes wrong.

If you’re looking for high end ‘traditional’ jewellery, especially if it’s intended to be a precious sentimental piece, then find a smaller scale manufacturing jeweller with a good reputation. It’s well worth the investment for this sort of jewellery.

If you’re looking for more contemporary, artisan style jewellery then find independent designers you like (hopefully including Simone Walsh Jewellery) and patronise them as much as you can to help them stay afloat.

These approaches to shopping for jewellery will result in a much better investment for you. You’ll also benefit from the feel good factor by shopping from businesses that you can truly feel comfortable supporting and helping to flourish.

11. Not choosing a necklace to match your neckline

Instead of always throwing on your favourite necklace or pendant with almost every outfit, have a think about the different types and lengths of necklace that will go well with different types of necklines. You’ll find it will add a lot more interest and style to your wardrobe.

It’s a good idea to have an array of necklace lengths available in your jewellery collection. You should also pick up necklace extenders so you can easily vary the lengths of the necklaces and pendants you love to wear.

Luckily we have a necklace lengths and style guide with a handy chart to help you work it all out. You’re welcome!

12. Failing to determine your ring size before shopping

Not determining your ring size correctly will only lead to frustration, delays and possibly additional costs when you buy rings: it’s best avoided. Take the time to get your ring size right before shopping and to understand what the issues are.

Check out our ring size measuring guide article, along with our ring size conversion chart for lots of tips. The most important tip is to invest in a ring sizer before you purchase – or even visit a jeweller in person to get an accurate size.

Other jewellery resources: