Should I Spring Clean My Jewelry Box?
Spring is all about getting a fresh start, and there’s no better time to do the same for your favorite jewelry.
Think about it.
The world is a busy place, and there’s a good chance your jewelry box gets cluttered and disorganized in the mix.
Spring is the perfect time to clean and organize everything.
The truth is, all jewelry needs a little TLC from time to time. Being mindful about taking care of your jewelry reminds you to be intentional about taking care of what you have, and helps to counter the overconsumption mindset we're so used to seeing. It feels so good to renew and refresh the sparkle of your favorite pieces. Not only does it bring a sense of accomplishment, it's good for your well-being, and is a way to practice gratitude in your daily life.
It takes time to figure out a good routine, which is why I made this easy to follow step-by-step guide.
Are you ready to bring new life back to your jewelry?
Let’s go!
Step 1 | Change it up
Spring is the perfect time to look at what you have and change things up. Your wardrobe changes with the seasons, and your jewelry may change with it!
It's time to put your heavy jackets, chunky sweaters, and bulky scarves away, and bring out those lighter fabrics and styles. As temperatures rise, the clothes of the season reflect that. Spring is full of linen, lighter cottons and knits and bright colors that bring the season new life. Use the world around you for inspiration and have fun experimenting!
Step 2 | Clean Your Favorites
Repeat after me - all jewelry needs to be cleaned!
In this day and age, people can be obsessed with putting something on and never taking it off, but the truth is everything will lose it's luster without a little TLC.
Especially your favorite jewelry!
Earrings usually need the most attention, especially when it comes to daily wear pieces. We shed skin, which mingle with our natural oils, and creates a biological build-up called smegma. This is not to be confused with metal allergies, which cause irritation, swelling, and more significant discomfort! Smegma is normal for us humans, especially around the ears and piercings in general.
Over time this biological mix can build up and dull shine - which is bad enough. In the worst case, it can attract bacteria which can cause unpleasant smells and irritation. This can happen even with solid metals and no history of metal allergies.
The fix?
A good cleaning.
Earrings need the most maintenance. A good rule of thumb is to clean daily wear earrings at least once a month. This helps to keep their shine and prevent any buildup.
Rings, necklaces, and bracelets don’t tend to need quite as much attention as earrings when it comes to cleaning. In most cases, cleaning your favorites seasonally will keep things sparkling.
If you have any questions about cleaning, feel free to get in touch!
Step 3 | Make Repairs
Repeat after me - all jewelry needs to be maintained and repaired.
After all, the more you take care of it, the more it will sparkle for you.
We all have at least a few broken items that are collecting dust in the corner of our jewelry box, and spring is the perfect time to revisit these pieces and see what is worth fixing.
Broken clasps or chains can easily be replaced, as well as misshapen ear wires. Stretch bracelets that get regular use usually need to be restrung at some point, as do knotted beaded necklaces. You can tell by looking at the beads closely. If there’s visible string or cord and a lot of space between beads, it’s time to get things restrung.
I offer repairs on all my jewelry, and can often make basic repairs on other items for a fee. I'm even looking into starting a jewelry repair workshop so you can meet the rest of the community!
If you want something looked at, get in touch and I'll see what I can do.
Step 4 | Declutter: Donate, Sell, or Gift Away
Now that everything's clean and in good shape, it’s time to take a step back, look at your jewelry collection, and ask the following questions.
Do you still love the pieces you have?
What do you like / what don’t you like?
Is it time to let something go?
It’s important to ask yourself these questions regularly. Change is inevitable, and understanding what you like and don’t helps you develop your personal style. What once brought you joy may change, and it’s important to take note and weigh your options.
Separate things into three groups - keep, maybe, and no.
Keep what you love. Anything you’re not sure about goes in the maybe pile for another look. Keep these items for now, and come back to these items next time you're spring cleaning, decluttering, or reorganizing your jewelry box.
And everything else?
Sell, donate, or gift them away.
Step 5 | Cleanse and Charge Your Jewelry
If you’ve had an especially difficult winter and still feel stagnant energy around you, spring is the perfect time to cleanse negative energies and renew your intentions for your jewelry.
Over the last few years, I've experienced a lot of loss and grief, and have become very intentional about the jewelry and stones I wear.
Cleansing and charging have become part of my process.
I cleanse with smoke, usually incense. I’ll light incense and hold the item over the smoke. The smoke represents negative and unhelpful energies and thoughts floating away and dissipating into the universe.
After cleansing, you're ready to renew your intentions for your jewelry. Place it on a windowsill or a safe place outside and charge it in the light of the full moon.
Intentional rituals like this help you let go of things that no longer serve you.
In turn, this can help make your inner light shine.
Spring Cleaning and Practicing Gratitude
We live in a day and age where our attention is short, and we're conditioned to look around for the next new thing. So much so, that we forget that we already have a lot of beauty right under our noses.
Practicing gratitude can change that, and spring cleaning your jewelry box can be a good bring the practice into your daily life. Taking care of what you have is a good thing. Over time, it teaches gratitude through appreciation.
And that's something we can all use a little bit more of, don't you think?
I hope you found this guide helpful. Was there anything I missed?
Drop your questions and favorite tips in the comments.