Jewelry Care

Over time, all fine jewelry begins to lose its shine. Silver and other metals will eventually tarnish. Daily grime will cause gemstones to look dull and dirty. Following some simple jewelry care practices can preserve the life of your jewelry and keep it looking great for many years.

Always:

Apply, cosmetics, lotion, perfume and hairspray before dressing any jewelry.
Store in a fabric-lined box, separately or individually-wrapped in tissue to prevent scratches.

Never:

• Never wear jewelry when doing physical work such as housekeeping, gardening or exercise.
• Never expose jewelry to household cleaning products.
• Never expose jewelry to chlorine swimming pools or hot tubs.

Where to store

This seems like an obvious tip, but at the end of the day, we’ve all been guilty of tossing our jewelry in a drawer or on the nightstand. It’s best to 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.

 Avoid 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. When getting ready in the morning or preparing for a night out, set your jewelry aside, or better yet, leave your jewelry in its case until you’re ready to wear it.

 How to clean

One of the best jewelry cleaning methods involves warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush.

 Do not swim

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 precious pieces from harsh chemicals and debris buildup, but it will also help you avoid losing your jewelry.