Know Your Bling

How to Clean Jewelry at Home

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So Fresh and So (sparkling) Clean

Jewelry care isn’t as hard as you might think. You can clean your jewelry at home using simple ingredients you already have. Doing this only takes a little time and can dramatically increase the longevity of your jewelry!

This process works for fine and fashion jewelry, even delicate stones like pearls and opals.

Step #1: Gather Supplies

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

You will need:

  • jewelry you want to clean
  • small dish
  • gentle soap (hand soap works fine for clean jewelry)
  • a toothbrush (green tip: you can disinfect and use an old one)
  • soft lint-free cloth (We like the flannel polishing cloths they sell at Michael’s in the jewelry section, but you can also recycle an old t-shirt or pair of flannel pajama pants.)

Step #2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

SURPRISE!  No harsh chemicals needed!

A tiny drop of gentle soap in your dish with warm water will do the trick.  Just be sure to swish the water around with the toothbrush until the soap dissolves completely.

Step #3: Scrubba – dub – dub

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

Dip the jewelry in your soapy water dish, then scrub gently with the toothbrush.

PRO TIP: Make sure you get behind any gemstones and into any crevices or engraving!

Examine from all angles, then get back in there if you need to! (it’s sort of the rinse, lather & repeat of the jewelry cleaning world)

Step #4: Let It Dry

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

Lay your freshly clean jewelry on your cloth to dry.  Gently pat to remove excess water.  Pick up the piece and be sure to pat dry any water droplets taking refuge in tiny crevasses!

Step #5: Polish and Shine

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

How to clean jewelry at home: Easy jewelry cleaning instructions using ingredients you already have at home! Jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs, custom jewelry and bridal accessories.

If you chose a polishing cloth, you can use it to shine the surface of the metal and remove any residual tarnishing.  And don’t forget to clean those earring backs, too!

We hope we’ve inspired you to do a little jewelry cleaning.  Trust us… it’s MUCH more fun than spring cleaning!  And if you’ve been admiring, we featured our Posy & Pearl Earrings in this post.  And our photography was done by the impeccable Britney Clause.

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Know Your Bling

3 Easy Ways to Pack Your Jewelry for Travel

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Spring is finally here, and with it comes warmer weather and vacation season!

How to pack jewelry so it won't break while you travel, pro packing tips for jewelry and accessories, by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry

One of the biggest challenges of packing for travel can be knowing how to safely pack your jewelry. We all know the frustration of untangling a necklace chain after it’s been jostled in a suitcase, and the heartbreak of losing an earring from your favorite pair.

We want you to confidently take your jewelry along on all of your adventures (and, tag us in your photos on Instagram with #jadornyourlove!)
With that in mind, we’re sharing 3 easy ways to pack your jewelry for travel, using items that you likely already have at home!

Tip #1: Use straws to keep necklace chains from tangling

This trick for packing a necklace tangle-free is inexpensive and customizable. And, since straws come in multi packs, you can pack several necklaces to have plenty of style options!

Here’s how to use straws to pack jewelry without tangling:
  • Use a standard sized straw for shorter necklaces (16-18 inches). 

For thin bracelets, we recommend using paper straws.
Here’s how it works:

First, use a pair of scissors to cut the straw to approximately half the length of the bracelet.
Next, gently slide the bracelet into the fitted paper straw with the clasp ends sticking out on either side.

Lastly, close the bracelet’s clasp so the straw can’t slide off. You’re done!

Tip #2: Use Glad Press ‘n Seal to Pack Flat

Use this common pantry item to safely pack your jewelry – even the most fragile pearls and druzies! 

Here’s a step by step guide showing how to use Glad Press ‘n Seal for packing your jewelry:

First, cut a length of the film and lay it out flat, sticky side up.

Next, lay out all of your jewelry on the sticky film, making sure to leave enough space between pieces to create a seal.
After the jewelry is in place, use your fingers to gently press each piece into place on the sticky surface.

Lastly, cut a second length of film to match the size of your bottom piece. Carefully place the second layer, sticky side down, onto the first piece and jewelry.

Gently press the top layer of Press ‘n Seal down to seal (get it?) the jewelry in place.
  • Start at the outer edges, smoothing the adhesive as you go
  • Work your way inward, pressing gently
  • Create a protective seal between each piece of jewelry and gently press the top layer around each item

Now you’re all ready to add your packed jewelry to your suitcase!
Bonus Pro Tip: We recommend sandwiching the sealed jewelry layer between scarves or soft pieces of clothing to keep it cushioned while you travel. 

Tip #3: Reuse the Your Jewelry’s Packaging

Did you know that at J’Adorn Designs we choose our packaging carefully so our customers can reuse it?

It’s true! Because we care about the planet and extending the life of your jewelry investment, we provide packaging for your accessories to keep them safe in storage!

Here are a few ideas of how you can reuse the packaging we provide for J’Adorn Designs jewelry:

If you’ve purchased a piece of Tassel Jewelry from us, you know that we send them in plastic tubes to keep the tassels from fraying. We want you to save these tubes to keep your tassels in top condition whenever you’re not wearing them!
So, when you travel with your tassel jewelry, just slide them into their tubes and place them in their original hard paper box. 

The final step is securing the lid in place.
(We like to use a hair band for this, since we’ll need them during the trip, too!)

Our finer jewelry comes with upgraded packaging that you can also reuse for safely traveling with jewelry. 

Simply place your jewelry in these heirloom quality boxes, like the pink bracelet box with microsuede lining pictured above.

We love to use our upgraded microsuede pouches for the safe keeping of earrings and delicate necklaces!

The fabric divider inside the pouch provides a separation for earrings so they won’t knock into each other and chip.
This is especially vital for druzy gemstone jewelry because the tiny crystals are so fragile.

This pouch also works great with a fine pendant necklace to keep its chain from scratching delicate gems and pearls.

Now that you have all of our best tips for safe jewelry packing, you’re ready to jet set with all your favorite jewels in tow! 

How to pack your jewelry safely for travel and storage, professional jewelry care tips by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler in Maryland

Safe travels, and don’t forget to tag us when you take your J’Adorn jewels on your travel adventures!

You can use #JADORNYOURLOVE on all social platforms

(and we love to reshare!) 

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Know Your Bling

What is Crystal Jewelry?

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Crystal Crash-Course!

We use the word crystal a lot around here to describe our jewelry designs.  But, we know that word gets used widely and we want to give YOU a crash-course in crystal-ology as part of our Know Your Bling series!
Welcome to Crystals: 101

crystal jewelry styling with jadorn designs custom jewelry

Each piece of J’Adorn Jewelry in the photo above (and, every photo in this post, really) features at least ONE type of crystal.  There are multiple elements that the word includes.  

So, let’s break them down!

crystal spike necklace earrings by jadorn designs custom jewelry

First up: Crystal Quartz

Quartz is a type of gemstone.  Crystal (or more specifically, “rock crystal”) is the colorless variation of this stone.  In our designs, we often call the pointed rough quartz stones on our necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and headpieces “crystal quartz spikes.” 

The spikes take center stage in our stunning Rough Crystal Spike Haircomb.

crystal earrings; druzies, rose quartz, crystal spikes dangle earrings by jadorn designs custom jewelry

Second:  Druzy Crystals

The name “druzy” refers to the effect when minerals crystallize and form a sparkling, sugar-like layer on a stone.  Most often, that stone is quartz.  It’s the same phenomenon you see inside the cavity of a geode.  Our druzies are cut to highlight the sparkles, with the entire top surface covered in these crystals.

In this series of photos, we’re highlighting white, champagne and black druzy elements.  However, we have a rainbow of druzy colors available in the Jewelry Shop!

crystal jewelry examples, crystal spike necklaces, druzy pendant necklace, swarovski crystal vine earrings by jadorn designs custom jewelry

Finally: Swarovski Crystals

These are actually man-made gems manufactured in Austria. They were first created in 1892 when a man named David Swarovski invented a machine for making precision-cut, beautiful, high quality lead glass crystals using quartz, sand, and minerals.  The exact proportions of these raw materials is a company secret, and they use this specialized manufacturing process to produce brilliant crystals. 

Here at J’Adorn, we sprinkle Swarovski Crystals into our designs as often as we can.  They are eye-catchingly luminescent and come in just about every color imaginable. (And girl, you know we love color around here!)

We love the shimmer they bring to each piece, especially these delicate bracelets.

swarovski pearl and crystal branch earring flat lay jadorn designs custom jewelry

We know it’s nearly impossible to choose, BUT do you have a favorite type?  Or, a favorite way they are featured in our jewelry?

(one possible answer is: when they are combined in the same piece!)

We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!  We want to make more of what YOU love most.

crystal jewelry flat lay jadorn designs custom jewelry

Photos by Katherine Elizabeth Photography
Information sources: Here and Here 

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Know Your Bling

3 Summer Jewelry Care Tips

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Make sure your favorite pieces keep shining long after sundown with this handy summer jewelry care guide.

Summer Jewelry Care Tips, How to Keep Jewelry Nice During Summer, How to Clean Jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler

Photo by Brooke Michelle Photography

Ah, summer… The days are longer, the nights are radder; the sun is brighter making the jewels even sparklier!
But while you accessorize your favorite warm weather outfits, keep in mind that summer’s extra heat and social calendar could pose a risk of damaging your favorite pieces of jewelry. (Cue horror movie shrieks!)

Take a deep breath; you don’t have to despair! Your favorite jewelry designer is here with a handy list of summer jewelry care tips to make sure your metals stay shiny and your stones continue to sparkle!

Summer jewelry care tips from custom jeweler J'Adorn Designs

Photo by Madison Short

The single most important part of summer jewelry care is remembering to take it off!

More specifically, be sure to take off your jewelry before any of the following activities to ensure its shine & color will last:
  • Before you SWEAT
  • Before you SWIM
  • Before you SUNSCREEN 

    Summer Jewelry Care Tips, How to Keep Jewelry Nice During Summer, How to Clean Jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Olivia Reed Photography

    1. Before you SWIM

    When the ocean calls your name, all you want is to dive straight into the water. But stop for just one second to remove your precious jewels before making a beeline for the waves.

    This quick pause can prevent your favorite gold necklace from turning green.

    I don’t know about you, but a deeper tan is the only color change I want to bring home from a day at the beach! The same principle also applies for a day at the pool.Summer Jewelry Care Tips, How to Keep Jewelry Nice During Summer, How to Clean Jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler

    2. Before you SUNSCREEN

    Practical wisdom tell us to apply sunscreen generously at this time of the year to prevent damage & premature aging. But did you know that the lotion you wear to save your skin can do the opposite for your jewelry?

    Take off your jewels before applying sunscreen, and be sure to let it fully dry and soak in before putting them back on.

    Summer Jewelry Care Tips, How to Keep Jewelry Nice During Summer, How to Sweatproof Jewelry by J'Adorn Designs custom jewelerPhoto by Olivia Reed Photography

3. Before you SWEAT

The third “S” to keep in mind when you remember to remove your jewelry is SWEAT. 

Depending on where you live, a simple walk outside in the summer could result in a glistening brow or full waterworks. If perspiration reaches the places where your jewelry touches – your neck, hairline, hands, and wrists – it can quickly become a destructive force on the surface of your jewelry, particularly for plated metals.

So, consider how much you might sweat during your walk along the shore or bike ride to the farmer’s market and plan your outfit accordingly! 

Summer Jewelry Care Tips, How to Keep Jewelry Nice in Hot Weather, Tropical Jewelry Care, by J'Adorn Designs Custom JewelryPhoto by Brooke Michelle Photography

Sound a little too involved?

If you don’t want to bother with removing your jewelry every time you engage in your favorite summer activities, you can always reach for non-plated metals or colorful statement pieces made of fabric, plastic, or glass when you accessorize for the day. These materials stand up much stronger against the elements of summer. Plus, they could add some unexpected flourishes of color & texture to your look!

Want to read more of my jewelry care tips? Check out my post, “5 Ways to Ruin Your Jewelry,” and learn what else you can do to protect your jewelry!

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Custom Jewelry, Know Your Bling, Style File

Statement Earrings for Sensitive Ears

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Sensitive ears don’t have to limit your bridal jewelry options. Here are my top 3 tips for choosing statement earrings for sensitive ears! 

If you’re planning your wedding and have been looking for the perfect pair of statement earrings to match the dress of your dreams but have the “blessing” of sensitive skin (or, as I like to call it, “biological good taste“), chances are you’ve been frustrated by the selection of cheaply plated earrings at the bridal salons.

But having sensitive skin doesn’t have to limit your options!  Your ears can sparkle as brightly as you want with a simple quality upgrade. 

Rose Gold Teardrop statement earrings for sensitive ears by J'Adorn Designs bridal accessories

This post will guide you through 3 important features to look for when selecting statement earrings for sensitive ears. Additionally, you can click any of the photos in this post to shop my favorite picks from the J’Adorn Designs collection that fit the bill!

Gold and blush leaves statement earrings for sensitive ears by J'Adorn Designs bridal accessories

Cluster style sparkly statement earrings for sensitive ears by J'Adorn Designs bridal accessories
1. Choose earrings with sterling silver or real gold posts if you’re sensitive to metal quality and weight.
  • A sturdy post with a secure backing will make sure your earrings stay put with minimal “swing” during the day.
  • I always recommend a higher-quality precious metal for any pair of statement earrings for sensitive ears. Even if the earrings are not heavy, materials like sterling silver and real gold are gentler on the skin than base metals. Most of the earrings in my shop already feature sterling silver or gold filled components, but you can always ask for an upgrade too!
  • If your earrings are heavy, high quality metals will help your sensitive skin be a little more forgiving of the weight and motion that might occur.

Silver Teardrop Bridal Statement Earrings for Sensitive Ears

2. For dangle earrings, choose lever-backs over open hooks.
  • Lever-back earrings, or hook earrings that close completely in the back, are a style that I always recommend for brides. This is because a closed earring is much less likely to fall out than one that is open! In my experience, they are also less likely to slide around inside your pierced earring hole, which makes for an extra level of comfort when wearing earrings all day.
  • Once again, quality metals are key! Look for lever-backs that are sterling silver or at least gold-filled in quality. For a refresher course on metal quality & terminology, check out this previous blog post.

Gold vine boho statement earrings for sensitive ears by J'Adorn Designs bridal accessories

3. Choose earrings that are as lightweight as possible.
  • It is possible to wear a pair of large-sized statement earrings for sensitive ears without lots of weight. (Just think about the feather earrings that were popular a few years ago!)
  • Wire-wrapped styles are often lighter weight than solid metal frames with pronged stone settings.
  • Alternative materials like lace, feathers, and even colorful acrylic are all creative options for adding a unique “pop” to your statement earrings without weighing down your earlobes.

Customized statement earrings for sensitive ears, by J'Adorn Designs bridal couture

If all else fails, you can always go custom!

If you’d simply like to save yourself the headache of testing every piece of jewelry against this list of criteria, you can always commission your own bespoke pair of statement earrings for sensitive ears! J’Adorn Bride Jill went this route and was thrilled with the results.

Whatever you choose, be sure to remember that it is possible to have the look and feel you want when it comes to your bridal jewelry!

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