Jewelry Care Guide
Proper care is essential to preserve the beauty and value of your jewelry for generations. Learn how to clean, store, and maintain your precious pieces with our expert care guide.
General Care Guidelines
While specific types of jewelry require different care approaches, these universal guidelines will help protect all your precious pieces from damage and premature wear.
Last On, First Off
Always put your jewelry on last after applying cosmetics, perfumes, and lotions. Remove jewelry first before showering, swimming, cleaning, or engaging in physical activities. This simple habit prevents exposure to harsh chemicals and reduces the risk of damage.
Handle with Care
Always handle jewelry by their bands or edges, not by gemstones or delicate elements. Oils from your fingers can dull the luster of gemstones and metals. When removing rings, pull from the band rather than pushing from the stone or setting.
Regular Inspections
Routinely examine your jewelry for loose stones, worn prongs, frayed clasps, or thinning chains. Catching issues early can prevent lost stones or broken pieces. Professional inspections of valuable pieces are recommended at least once a year.
Avoid Hazardous Activities
Remove jewelry before swimming (chlorine damages metals), household cleaning (chemicals can erode settings), gardening (soil can scratch), and exercise (perspiration can tarnish metals). Create a safe spot for temporary storage during these activities.
Safe Storage
Store each piece separately to prevent scratching and tangling. Use fabric-lined jewelry boxes, anti-tarnish pouches, or individual soft cloth bags. Keep jewelry away from direct sunlight and humidity, which can fade gemstones and accelerate tarnishing.
Appropriate Cleaning
Use cleaning methods appropriate for each type of jewelry. What works for diamonds may damage pearls or emeralds. Mild soap and water works for most pieces, but specific materials may require special care. When in doubt, consult a professional jeweler.
Material-Specific Care
Different jewelry materials require specific care techniques. Follow these guidelines to properly maintain the beauty and integrity of your various jewelry pieces.
Gold Jewelry
Cleaning Method
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm (not hot) water.
- Soak for 15-20 minutes to loosen dirt and oils.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush (like a soft toothbrush).
- Rinse thoroughly in warm water.
- Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth or allow to air dry.
What to Avoid
- Harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach
- Abrasive cleaners or cloths
- Ultrasonic cleaners for pieces with fragile gemstones
- Exposing gold-plated jewelry to cleaning solutions for extended periods
Recommended Cleaning Frequency
Regular cleaning: Every few weeks. Deep cleaning: 2-3 times per year.
Silver Jewelry
Cleaning Method
- Use a specialized silver polishing cloth for quick touch-ups.
- For tarnished pieces, use a silver cleaner specifically designed for jewelry.
- For light tarnish, line a bowl with aluminum foil, add hot water and baking soda (1 tablespoon per cup), and submerge your silver jewelry. The chemical reaction will remove tarnish.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with a soft cloth.
What to Avoid
- Rubber gloves (sulfur causes tarnish)
- Swimming pools and hot tubs
- Contact with perfumes, lotions, and hairspray
- Storing without anti-tarnish strips or bags
Recommended Cleaning Frequency
Polish with specialized cloth: As needed. Full cleaning: When visible tarnish appears.
Platinum Jewelry
Cleaning Method
- Mix mild soap and warm water.
- Soak for a few minutes.
- Gently scrub with a soft brush if needed.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
What to Avoid
- Chlorine and harsh chemicals
- Abrasive cleaners or materials
- High heat for extended periods
Recommended Cleaning Frequency
Clean every few months, or when noticeably dirty.
Diamonds
Cleaning Method
- Soak in a solution of warm water and mild dish soap for 20-30 minutes.
- Gently brush with a soft toothbrush, especially under the stone where dirt accumulates.
- Rinse thoroughly under warm running water.
- Pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
- For extra sparkle, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cloth for a final wipe.
What to Avoid
- Handling diamonds by their center stone (hold by the band)
- Chlorine bleach
- Harsh household cleaners
- Storing with other jewelry that might scratch diamonds
Recommended Cleaning Frequency
Quick clean: Monthly. Professional cleaning: Once or twice yearly.
Colored Gemstones
Cleaning Method
- Use a bowl of lukewarm water with mild soap.
- Soak for a few minutes (not extended periods).
- Gently clean with a soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
What to Avoid
- Steam or ultrasonic cleaners (for most colored stones)
- Harsh chemicals, especially for porous stones like emeralds, opals, and pearls
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight (can fade some gemstones)
- Sudden temperature changes
Recommended Cleaning Frequency
Clean gently every 1-2 months. Specific stones may have different requirements.
Pearls
Cleaning Method
- Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth after each wear.
- For deeper cleaning, use a cloth dipped in a solution of lukewarm water and mild soap.
- Rinse the cloth (not the pearls) in clean water and wipe pearls again to remove soap residue.
- Lay flat to dry completely before storing.
What to Avoid
- Submerging in water
- Any cleaning products containing vinegar, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals
- Ultrasonic or steam cleaners
- Contact with perfume, hairspray, makeup, or other cosmetics
Recommended Cleaning Frequency
Wipe after each wear. Clean more thoroughly only when visibly soiled.
Proper Jewelry Storage
How you store your jewelry when not wearing it is just as important as how you care for it while wearing. Proper storage prevents damage, tarnishing, and tangling.
Use Individual Containers
Store each piece separately in soft pouches, jewelry boxes with compartments, or anti-tarnish bags to prevent scratches and tangling.
Temperature Control
Keep jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade certain gemstones and damage delicate materials.
Avoid Moisture
Never store jewelry in bathrooms where humidity can accelerate tarnishing and potentially damage certain gemstones.
Prevent Tangling
Fasten clasps and hooks before storage. For necklaces, thread thin chains through a drinking straw to prevent tangling.
Anti-Tarnish Protection
Use anti-tarnish strips in your jewelry box and replace them every 6 months to protect silver and other tarnish-prone metals.
Pearl Care
Store pearls separately in a soft cloth pouch. Never store pearls in plastic bags which can trap moisture and damage the pearls.
Travel Considerations
Use a travel jewelry case with secure compartments when traveling. Never pack valuable jewelry in checked luggage.
Jewelry Maintenance Schedule
Establish a regular maintenance routine to keep your jewelry in optimal condition. Follow this schedule to ensure your precious pieces remain beautiful for generations.
| Timeframe | Maintenance Tasks |
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| Monthly |
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| Bi-Annually |
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| Annually |
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When to Seek Professional Care
While routine cleaning and maintenance can be done at home, some situations call for professional attention. Here's when you should visit a jeweler:
Loose or Missing Stones
If you notice a loose stone or a stone has fallen out of its setting, take your jewelry to a professional immediately. Continuing to wear the piece could result in losing the stone completely.
Bent Prongs or Settings
Damaged prongs compromise the security of your gemstones. A professional can repair or replace prongs to ensure your stones remain securely in place.
Broken Clasps or Chains
Broken or worn clasps and chains should be repaired promptly to prevent loss. Professional jewelers can strengthen weak links and replace damaged clasps.
Deep Scratches or Dents
Gold, silver, and platinum pieces with deep scratches or dents can often be professionally polished and restored. Do not attempt to buff out deep scratches at home.
White Gold Replating
Over time, the rhodium plating on white gold jewelry can wear off, revealing the warmer tone beneath. Professional replating every 1-2 years restores the bright white appearance.
Annual Inspections
Even if there are no obvious issues, valuable pieces should be professionally inspected at least once a year to catch and address potential problems before they become serious.
Need professional jewelry care?
GlimmerWave offers professional cleaning, inspection, and repair services for all types of fine jewelry. Our expert jewelers can restore the brilliance of your most treasured pieces.