How to Care for Beaded and Charm Bracelets

Handmade bracelets are made to be worn, not kept in a box. A few easy habits will keep the beads bright, the stringing strong and the metal looking its best.

Put your bracelets on last

Lotion, perfume, hairspray and sunscreen can dull beads, leave a film on stones and tarnish metal over time. Get dressed, let everything dry, and then put on your jewelry. At the end of the day, take bracelets off first.

Keep them dry

Take bracelets off before swimming, showering, washing dishes or exercising hard. Chlorine and salt water are tough on metal, and water that sits inside beads and along the cord can weaken stringing material over time. If a bracelet gets wet, pat it dry with a soft cloth and let it air-dry flat before storing it.

Roll stretch bracelets on, don’t pull

Stretch cord lasts much longer when it isn’t overstretched. Instead of pulling a stretch bracelet wide over your hand, roll it on and off over your knuckles. Avoid wearing it so tight that the cord stays stretched all day.

Clean gently

• Most beads and stones: wipe with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth. Skip harsh cleaners and ultrasonic machines, which can damage porous stones, dyed beads and glued findings.
• Wood beads: wipe dry only; water can raise the grain and loosen finishes.
• Silver-tone metal and charms: a soft polishing cloth removes everyday dullness. Avoid dipping whole bracelets in liquid cleaners, since the solution can reach the beads and stringing.

Store them so they can’t scratch or tangle

Keep each bracelet in its own soft pouch or a lined compartment so harder stones don’t scratch softer beads and charms don’t tangle. Store stretch bracelets flat, not hanging, so the cord isn’t under constant tension. A small packet of anti-tarnish material in the box helps metal pieces stay bright.

Check them now and then

Every few months, look closely at the clasp, the jump rings that hold charms, and the cord or wire near the clasp, where wear usually starts. If something looks loose or frayed, stop wearing the piece until it’s repaired. It’s much easier to fix a bracelet before it breaks than to find beads under the sofa.

Sun and heat

Some natural and dyed materials can fade with long exposure to direct sunlight or heat. Don’t leave bracelets on a sunny windowsill or in a hot car.

Questions about caring for a specific piece? Email us at sales@onesjewelry.com and tell us which item you have.