Take care of your jewelry collection! Follow these essential jewelry care tips to make your precious accessories last a lifetime.
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Store Your Jewelry in a Clean, Dry Space
Keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined case that has compartments and dividers for your jewelry. If you don’t have a jewelry case, make sure to wrap each piece of jewelry in a soft tissue or paper before placing it in a drawer. This will prevent scratching and tangling. For sterling silver jewelry, get an anti-tarnish bag or cloth to limit exposure to air and moisture.
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Avoid Damaging Chemicals
Hairspray, lotion, and perfume can be damaging to certain types of metals and colored gems. Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are especially susceptible to discoloration from these everyday care products. Use whichever of these items you usually do but give them some time to soak in or dissipate in the air before you put your jewelry on.
This means you don’t have to give any of them up but can still protect your earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. If you plan to reapply any of these substances during the day, be sure to remove all your jewelry and place it out of contact reach before doing so.
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Never Sleep with Your Jewelry On
This includes rings and small earrings. Of course, larger pieces can be uncomfortable to sleep in and should be taken off, even the pieces you don’t notice while you’re sleeping should be removed prior to bedtime.
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Take Your Jewelry Off in the Water
The swimming pool isn’t an ideal place for your fine jewelry. Neither is the gym. Even when preparing a meal or doing household chores, it’s a good idea to store your jewelry in a safe place. Not only will this protect your treasured pieces from harsh chemicals and debris buildup, but it will also help you avoid losing your jewelry. Retrieving your ring from the bottom of a pool drain is a nightmare you should never have to experience.
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Use Mild Cleaners for Regular Cleanings
One of the best jewelry cleaning methods involves warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush. The wrong one can damage etchings and engravings as well as leave your metals and gems discolored.
If you’re considering ultrasonic cleaning, it’s best to leave your jewelry in the care of trained jewelers who understand how to use this technology safely. Ultrasonic cleaning can sometimes shake gems loose or chip gemstones if used incorrectly. Plus, organic gemstones like pearls, coral, ivory, and amber should not be cleaned ultrasonically. The same applies to gems impacted by heat and temperature changes like tanzanite, moonstone, opal, turquoise, and topaz.
