Tips for leather jewellery care

I was looking at one of my posts from 2012 on storing and carrying for mixed media jewellery. It made me realise that I have not written a post on jewellery care in a long time. In the series of previously written jewellery care posts, here in one on how to specifically care for leather jewellery. But before we move on to the tips, here are some definitions that will help you understand leather jewellery better.

What is leather jewellery

Jewellery created using all types of animal leather – hide, suede, parchment, finished leather, cords and tapes, all come under leather jewellery. We are not going to discuss any kind of vegan or synthetic leather look alike including Pina, mushroom leather or Rexine here. Hide is the unprocessed skin of an animal, often tanned to make leather. Hide is often thick and hence split to create a top layer which is often finished in different ways including tanning, dyeing, printing to achieve the desired looks. The bottom portion is called as suede. To create a leather parchment, the hide is washed and dried multiple times in sun to achieve a paper like finish.

Leather Jewellery Care Tips

Whether it’s parchment-like leather pendants, soft suede earrings, or polished leather cuffs, leather jewellery is expensive. It needs a lot more care compared to other pieces.

What damages leather jewellery

Leather is porous and can warp, stain, or weaken when wet. Therefore, any liquid specifically water and alcohol can damage it. If your jewellery gets wet, blot it with a soft towel and let it air dry completely. Though leather cords are stronger due to the cotton cord used inside the covering, they are not meant for everyday wear. Do not bathe wearing them. Take leather bracelets off when you wash hands and take bracelets and neck cords off when you are sweating heavily. Limit contact with perfumes, oils, and cosmetics.

How to store leather jewellery

• Store parchment leather jewellery flat, between layers of acid-free tissue paper or plastic sheets to avoid bending or creasing.
• Store hide, finished leather or parchment leather jewellery separately in plastic boxes or covers. Though they get affected by prolonged exposure to sunlight, its important that you air your pieces regularly to avoid mould formation. Wearing them is the best way to do this.
• Store suede leather jewellery in breathable fabric bags. In this case, avoid plastic, as it can trap moisture.
• Store leather jewellery away from silver or copper jewellery that you want ot keep shiny.

Maintenance tips

• Blot pieces with a tissue or soft fabric after wearing them to remove any wetness or dirt. Do not rub, but blot and dab.
• To shine and revive finished leather pieces, try a light wax or oil polish. Gently rub with a micro-fibre cloth and buff. Let it dry fully before storing.
• For light marks on suede jewellery, a suede eraser can help. But always test on a hidden spot first.
• Parchment leather pieces like these painted floral leather necklaces or those from “Jewelry in Narratives,” react adversely to both cold and heat. Avoid displaying or wearing parchment leather where the air is too cold or in direct sunlight for several hours to avoid warping. If it warps from cold, gently iron it on the reverse via a muslin cloth and press into shape. Store flat with weights on top in a warm space. You can also use a heat gun lightly. However, if its warps because of the heat, your only option is to weigh it down for its much more difficult to revive it than that which is warped by cold. Check with the designer/artisan if the piece can be varnished when its made to make it resistant to warping.

Do you have any more Leather Jewellery Care Tips to add to this list? If so, please post them in the comments.

I hope you find it interesting

Cheers