A good rule of thumb is that jewelry should be the last thing you wear when you go out and the first thing you take off when you get home.
General Care
A professional should regularly check jewelry for damage or wear.
If you have any concerns about your jewelry condition, take it to your local professional.
They will take great pride in helping you keep your jewelry looking as good as the day it was bought.
Here are a few tips on some of the things you can do to keep it in great shape:
- Take your jewelry off if you're involved in any activity which could scratch, knock or damage it.
- If in any doubt, take it off and keep it safe.
- Take it off when you go to bed.
- Keep it well away from chemicals, especially chlorine.
- If it does come into contact with chemicals, rinse it in water immediately.
- Bathe and apply any lotions or perfumes before you put your jewelry on.
- Organic gemstones like pearls and opals are particularly vulnerable to acids, even sweat.
- Store it separately, ideally in a soft-lined box or case, so that your favorite pieces don't tangle, rub or scratch one another. Pearls, in particular, should be kept separately as hard gemstones easily scratch them.
- Make sure chains and necklaces are fastened when storing to avoid tangling.
- Remove jewelry while cooking and cleaning.
- Keep jewelry away from sunlight, excessive heat, or damp conditions when storing it.
Gemstone Cleaning
Gemstones are bought for their sparkle and color, so keeping them looking their best is essential.
However, it is important to know what type of gem you are cleaning and how to get it back to looking like new.
Many colored gemstones have been treated to enhance their appearance. These treatments can negatively interact with some cleaning products and damage the jewelry. If in any doubt, take your jewelry to a jeweler for advice.
Although a gemstone may appear harsh, many can be susceptible to heat. Whenever cleaning, make sure that you use warm water rather than hot water. Inclusions within gemstones can weaken their structure if aggressively cleaned.
Gemstones, such as emeralds that have been oiled to improve color, can be negatively affected by mechanical cleanings such as steam and ultrasonic cleaning.
For nearly all colored gemstones cleaned with warm water, a couple of drops of washing-up liquid and a soft brush will be more than adequate. Make sure to avoid stiff brushes. A toothbrush is usually an excellent tool due to its head size and flexibility. If using a toothbrush, buying one labeled with a soft or extra-soft brush is essential.
When cleaning malachite, use cool water as it is susceptible to heat, and hot water may damage the gemstone.
Diamond and Moissanite Cleaning
Despite being the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, diamonds require care and attention.
They are tough, but they can still fracture and be scratched by other diamonds due to their directional hardness.
Oil deposits from fingers and general dust and grime can quickly adhere to the diamond's surface and affect a diamond's brilliance.
Handle the diamond carefully and store it away from other jewelry to avoid scratching the other pieces, including other jewelry.
Keeping the diamond in individual small plastic bags or a fabric-lined case will help reduce damage, wear, and a build-up of dirt.
Clean the diamond regularly. Soak in warm water with a degreasing solution (a couple of drops of washing-up liquid will suffice).
Gently brush with a soft, clean toothbrush before drying with a lint-free cloth. Be extra careful with the stone's setting, as this may be fragile. Avoid using bleaches or other hard abrasives. This can easily damage the precious metal in which the diamond is mounted.
Cleaning Gold
It doesn't take long for gold jewelry to lose its shine. Fingerprints and a daily build-up of dirt can quickly dull even the brightest gold. Thankfully, we have some tips to help you to get it shining once again.
If the gold jewelry has gemstones or pearls, please be extra careful when cleaning the piece. Check out the rest of the guide for how best to clean the individual gems so that you don't cause any damage to the jewelry.
A cleaning solution designed exclusively for jewelry is a safe option, but ensure any solution is intended for the correct precious metal or gemstone.
If in doubt, it is best to stick to using the following steps:
Add a few drops of washing-up liquid (or mild degreasing solution) to a lukewarm water bowl. Extreme temperature changes may damage the jewelry, so avoid hot or ice-cold water.
Soak the jewelry for ten minutes to loosen any build-up of dirt.
Gently clean with a soft-bristled brush such as an unused toothbrush.
Make sure to clean the whole piece of jewelry and get into hard-to-reach places while being extra careful when cleaning fragile parts of the jewelry (for example, at a stone's setting).
Rinse thoroughly in clean water to remove soap residue and other dirt remnants.
Dry gently with a lint-free cloth or leave on a piece of fabric to air dry.
Gold is a very soft metal that is susceptible to scratching.
Remember this fact during the cleaning and drying, and be as gentle as possible.
How to clean silver
The simplest way to clean silver is to buy a specialist cleaning solution or cloth. There are numerous on the market. Just make sure that they have been specifically designed for cleaning silver. Silver cleaning cloths should be soft and infused with anti-tarnishing agents.
If you don't have specialist cleaners at home, do not fear, as there are household options to get your silver shining.
A bowl of lukewarm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid will help remove tarnishing.
Soak the silver jewelry for ten minutes in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid.
Gently scrub the silver with a soft, clean brush.
Rinse in clean, warm water.
Leave to air dry.
For more stubborn tarnishing, you can use white vinegar and water mix.
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a bowl.
Soak a clean toothbrush in the solution and gently brush the affected areas of silver. Rise and leave to air dry.
