What is important is that you tend to your jewelry collection regularly and follow these simple instructions for cleaning:

Wash your silver jewelry with a very mild detergent and rub in smooth up and down lines after drying it with a soft cloth.  Buy a silver polishing cloth from a jewelry shop.  For a small sum you can get the same polishing cloth that is used by the experts.  Forget about toothbrushes if you wash it occasionally and polish with the proper cloth.  If you have let it go and not cleaned it for a good while then you might need to use a soft brush and a stronger detergent and warm water, but remember, while these are clearing away the grime they are abrasive and corrosive too.

Since gold does not tarnish, it requires less care other than washing and drying.  It is a soft metal however, so you should be careful about what other materials you store it with. Diamonds, for example, and other jem stones can scratch a gold surface easily.  While gold cannot be damaged by exposure to the air, discoloration can occur from contact with sulphites in human sweat and some perfumes found in lotions and soap. Alloys in gold and soldered areas are weakened by chlorine, so it’s best to remove jewelry when swimming in a pool or house-cleaning with bleach solutions.

Dust gold lightly with a clean, dry cloth. Clean tarnished gold with an all-metal cleaner. Scrub jewelry lightly with a soft brush and rinse under warm water to remove dirt and lotion build-up from hard-to-clean areas. When not in use, wrap gold jewelry in a chamois cloth or acid-free tissue.

Appreciate that your silver jewelry is soft and will, without doubt, scratch and become a little dull.  Care for it by proper washing, sensible wearing and proper storage.  Take it to your jeweller for a buffing and polish occasionally to keep it at its peak.  jewelry is for wearing so enjoy it by wearing it and look after it when you’re not.

Top recommendation:  Gaze at some beautiful leather jewelry boxes at Smythsons of Bond Street

Leather is a good material for such an item. Indeed a hand-crafted large leather jewelry box from a well-known provider such as Smythson of Bond Street, is something which will delight its owner for many generations.

Smythson do many types of jewelry box, including children’s jewelry boxes, jewelry rolls, jewelry display boxes and jewelry cases. All can be personalised with initials or a name and all will be a great deal better received than standard wooden jewelry boxes.

In fact, as jewelry boxes go, it is hard to find a supplier who can deliver higher quality than Smythson, and their online service is second to none.

So for my best advice, be sure to check out the wide range of large leather jewelry boxes and cabinets at Smythson, enjoy browsing their web shop, and select something special which will last for generations.

It is thus imperative to consider it as an investment in your family heritage, more than just a birthday or Christmas present. And it is worth paying more to get a large leather jewelry box which will truly last.

Proper storage is the most important factor in keeping your jewelry in good condition.  Remember that gold and platinum are soft materials, and that diamonds are one of the hardest substances known to man.  If you store your jewelry together your diamonds, rubies, and sapphires will scratch your precious metals, as well as chip other, softer gems, such as emeralds.

You should always store your jewelry pieces separately.  Many people like to store their jewelry in lock boxes, or at home, in the freezer.  These are both poor choices for jewelry storage.  The dry atmosphere of a lock box can damage your precious jewelry, while the extreme cold of a freezer can crack or shatter precious gemstones.  The best place to store your jewelry is in a lockable jewelry box with many separate compartments.

Most jewelry boxes are lined with soft, un-abrasive materials, which will not scratch your jewelry.  A good jewelry box will come with many compartments, which not only showcase your jewelry beautifully, but also protect it from scratching and chipping.  jewelry boxes are also beautiful items in themselves.  A quality jewelry box is usually handmade from hard wood, lined with leather – nap or swede on the inside – and cunningly contrived to showcase your jewelry in a stunning fashion.  When storing your jewelry there is no substitute for a high quality large leather jewelry box.

Choosing a large leather jewelry box needs attention. Like a home, you would like it to be of such high quality that it can pass through the generations and be as useful and loved by your great grand-children as it is for you, or your wife.

Update: Be sure to see the range of impressive jewelry boxes at Smythsons.

1st Anniversary – The first anniversary is the year of paper.   Paper gifts are not as boring as one may think.  It can be as low-cost as a handwritten poem or as expensive as an airline ticket. In between you could also consider personalised stationery, which makes for a thoughtful and beautiful gift.

2nd Anniversary – The second anniversary is cotton. A good cotton gift is clothing.  Personalizing it makes it even more special.  Nowadays you can personalize just about anything.

3rd Anniversary – The third anniversary gift is leather.  Wallets and purses are suitable leather gifts.  If you’re buying for your wife, perhaps its time to invest in a large leather jewellery box which can be passed through the generations. Or for your husband, perhaps a mens valet case.  Smythson do some beautiful cufflink boxes.

4th Anniversary – Linen is the fourth anniversary gift.  Linen gifts include table linens and vacation linen shirts also known as Guayaberas.

5th Anniversary – Wood is fifth anniversary gift.  Gift ideas range from gift baskets to furniture.

6th Anniversary – The sixth anniversary is iron.  Iron gifts include candleholders and picture frames.

7th Anniversary – Depending on who you ask, the seven year anniversary is either copper or wool.  Cooper gifts include vases and bowls.  Wool gifts include sweaters and scarves.

8th Anniversary – Bronze is the eighth anniversary gift.  Bronze gifts can be anything from a candleholder or vase to a trinket or memorable keepsake being bronzed.

9th Anniversary – Pottery is the ninth anniversary.  Sculptures, vases and bowls are the most common of these gifts.  A great gift idea would be to enjoy a pottery class together.

10th Anniversary – Tin or Aluminum is the gifts for 10 years of bliss.  Jewelry boxes or tin gift containers filled with goodies make great tin/aluminum gifts.  Gift basket containers would be a great to incorporate tin or aluminum.

11th Anniversary – Eleven years of marriage equal a gift of Steel.  Gifts can be anything from a stainless steel watch or pendant to stainless kitchen appliances.

12th Anniversary – Silk is the twelfth anniversary gift.  Silk pyjamas and sheets are a wonderful gift.  Robes and clothing are also great.

13th Anniversary – The thirteenth anniversary is that of Lace.  This anniversary gift?s element is more for the ladies.  Lace table linens, hankies and nightgowns are wonderful gifts of lace.

14th Anniversary – Ivory is the gift fourteen years of marriage.  Imagination is important for this gift giving year.  An ivory broche is a worldly gift for your wife and if your husband is open to anything, try an ivory elephant tusk.  Not likely huh?  How about Ivory soap?  At least I tried.

15th Anniversary – Fifteen years of wedded bliss earn you Crystal.  Swarovski Crystals set in a pendant, watch or other piece of jewelry is a nice idea.  For the simple folk, a crystal vase or personalized champagne flutes add that touch of romance.

20th Anniversary – Twentieth Anniversary is the gift of China.  That is pretty self explanatory.

25th Anniversary – Twenty five years of marriage is also known as The Silver Anniversary.  Silver jewelry or nice jewelry boxes are always safe bets.

30th Anniversary – Pearl is the gift of a thirty year anniversary.  Pearls can be given as a necklace or placed in a ring.

35th Anniversary – Coral or Jade is the gifts for this anniversary.  You can find coral gifts such as vases, sculptures, trays or games made or coral.  Jade gifts are usually jewelry like bracelets and earrings.

40th Anniversary – The fortieth year anniversary gift is Ruby.  Like many of the gifts, jewelry, or a large jewelry box is a good gift.

45th Anniversary – Sapphires represent forty years of marriage.

50th Anniversary – The Golden Anniversary is among one of the well known.  Gold gifts can be anything from jewelry to golden vases, cups, frames, figurines and other trinkets.

55th Anniversary – Emeralds are the gifts of this year.  Jewelry is a common gift.

60th Anniversary – Sixty years of being married most certainly deserves Diamonds.  What could be better than diamond jewelry?

65th Anniversary – Blue Sapphires are the gifts of this year.  Once again jewelry is appropriate its deserved!

70th Anniversary – Platinum gifts are representative of seventy platinum years of marriage.  Platinum gifts include jewelry, music boxes, figurines and gift boxes.

Another gift suggestion is flowers made of any of these elements.  There are now stores that offer flowers made of cotton, wood, tin or lace.  You name it they have it.

Good luck choosing your special anniversary gift, and Happy Anniversary!