Care and keeping

None of this is difficult, but a few habits are the difference between a piece lasting years and lasting one summer.

The three rules

Rinse and dry anything that has been in the sea or a pool. Salt and chlorine are what actually strip plating, and Miami is full of both.

Put jewelry on after perfume, lotion and hairspray, never before. Alcohol dulls plating and clouds crystal faster than anything else.

Store pieces flat and separately. Long chains tangle into each other in a way that takes an hour and a pin to undo.

Cleaning

A dry soft cloth is enough for almost everything. For crystal, breathe on it and buff it the way you would a pair of glasses.

Never use jewelry dip or silver polish on plated brass. It strips the plating and the plating does not come back.

Sweat

Sweat is not the enemy, salt left sitting on metal overnight is. Wipe a piece down before bed after a heavy night and it will outlast anything you have owned.