Amber necklaces aren’t just a great fashion statement, they have lots of practical purposes, too, for both adults and infants. Regardless of the reason you’ve purchased an amber necklace, one thing is for certain: you need to take care of it properly to ensure it doesn’t get damaged and lasts as long as possible. The following is a short guide to maintaining and properly looking after your amber necklace.
What are amber necklaces made out of?
Before we get into the details about how to take care of your amber necklace, it’s important to understand what they are actually made from. Amber necklaces are not precious stones, but made from shaped amber which has been formed to resemble beads. Amber itself is actually fossilized tree resin; the most common source of amber is Baltic amber, which comes from the Baltic region.
Amber necklace maintenance tips:
Amber necklaces are much easier to take care of than other types of jewelry, but you still need to practice some basic care and maintenance tips to ensure they last a long time and don’t become damaged. Let’s take a closer look at the most important amber necklace maintenance tips you’ll need to follow for your amber necklace.
Tip #1: Clean your amber with a soft cloth:
You should never try to clean your amber with harsh materials such as paper towels or rough kitchen towels. Instead, use a soft flannel cloth specifically for cleaning your amber, so that the cloth won't become stained with other materials.
To clean the amber initially, you need to lightly dampen the cloth with clean lukewarm water only. Carefully clean the beads, and then dry them completely.
Tip #2: Polish amber with olive oil:
You should take care to polish your amber beads after you clean them. To do so, polish them with some clear olive oil, and then use a different cloth to remove excess oil and give it a final polishing. This polishing will keep your amber beads looking great and help prevent dirt build-up.
Tip #3: Never leave amber in direct sunlight:
Direct sunlight will cause the oil inside the amber beads to be secreted, so you want to avoid leaving your amber beads in direct sunlight. If you remove your necklace, make sure to put it inside a soft bag and keep it away from the window. Keeping your necklace in a soft bag when not in use will also help prevent scratches.
Tip #4: Keep the necklace away from extreme temperatures:
Extreme temperatures can cause the amber in your necklace to break down, so make sure to avoid exposing it to extreme cold or extreme head.
Tip #5: Never use chemicals or perfumes on your necklace:
Chemicals, such as cleaning solutions, soaps, and even perfumes, will damage your amber. Make sure to apply any spray perfume before you put on your necklace to avoid getting droplets on your amber necklace beads, and never clean the necklace with any commercial cleaners.