How to Care for and Maintain Fine Jewellery

Have you ever bought (or worse, received) an expensive piece of jewellery, only to watch it go dull and lifeless in a few months?

Fine jewellery is an investment. Whether it’s a diamond engagement ring, a gold necklace, or a family heirloom…these pieces of jewellery should be cared for in order to preserve their quality.

The good news?

Proper jewellery care and maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.

In fact, with a few simple methods, you can ensure your pieces stay as new and shiny for years (or decades) to come. Let’s take a look at how.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why you need to care for your jewellery regularly
• Common jewellery care mistakes to avoid
• Daily jewellery maintenance tips
• Professional jewellery cleaning vs. DIY jewellery cleaning
• Jewellery storage hacks for long-term preservation

Why You Need to Care for Your Jewellery Regularly

You might not know this…

Fine jewellery tarnishes and dulls faster than you think. Just from normal, everyday exposure to body lotion, perfume, and even hand soap, your pieces can start to look cloudy and unappealing.

The problem is…

If you don’t regularly clean and maintain your jewellery, that residue and buildup will continue to build. Over time, this results in jewellery that looks cloudy and lacks its former lustre.

Plus, long-term neglect can do more than dull your pieces. Without regular care, you’re actually damaging your jewellery pieces.

Metals can become brittle. Prongs can loosen. Settings can become unstable and stones can fall out.

This may be surprising but the jewellery care products market has an annual growth rate of 6.7% and is projected to reach $4.5 Billion by 2032. People are finally realising that it’s just as important to protect their jewellery as it is to make the purchase.

Especially if you have jewellery purchased from a jewellery store in Memphis or have inherited family heirlooms. Routine jewellery maintenance will keep them beautiful and in good condition. It’s an investment in both the beauty and value of your pieces.

Common Jewelry Care Mistakes to Avoid

Want to know what’s causing your jewellery to lose its sparkle and luster?

Most people make the same jewellery maintenance mistakes without even realising it. Here are the top three:

1. Wearing Jewellery During Risky Activities. Things like cleaning, showering, or swimming can wreak havoc on your pieces. Harsh chemicals in cleaning products can strip away metals and discolour stones. Chlorine in pools does the same thing.
2. Dumping All Your Jewellery Together in a Box. This is a big mistake. Don’t store everything together in one place. When jewellery pieces are thrown together, they scratch and damage one another. Diamonds can scratch softer metals like gold and silver. Chains can tangle with bracelets.
3. Never Getting Your Jewellery Professionally Inspected. Most people only think about their jewellery when there’s a problem. At that point, it may be too late to avoid damage.

Daily Jewellery Maintenance Tips

Ok, let’s talk about things you can do on a daily basis to keep your jewellery looking like new.

Rule #1 – remove your jewellery before doing anything that could expose it to chemicals, water, or dirt. This includes:

• Before showering or swimming
• Before applying lotions and perfume
• Before exercising or doing housework
• Before going to bed

Put it on last, take it off first.

That’s it. Just remember to remove your jewellery first thing and put it on last before you leave the house. It’s that simple. Apply your makeup, perfume, hair spray, and other products first. Then, add your jewellery last.

Pro Tip: Wipe down your jewellery with a soft cloth after every wear. Removing oils and residue after each wear will prevent long-term buildup. It takes 10 seconds and makes a world of difference.

Professional Jewellery Cleaning vs DIY Jewellery Cleaning

Should you take your jewellery to a professional to have it cleaned? Or can you do it at home?

The answer is both.

DIY cleaning is great for routine maintenance and upkeep. At-home cleaning works well for most jewellery items. A simple warm water and mild dish soap solution is a safe and effective way to clean most fine jewelry.

Soak for 15-20 minutes. Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub away residue and buildup. Avoid hard bristle brushes or scrubbing so hard that you scratch the metal.

But still, remember this…

Even with at-home DIY cleaning, you should still have your fine jewellery professionally cleaned and inspected at least once per year. Professional jewellers have ultrasonic cleaners and specialized tools that can reach places you can’t.

Professional jewellers also look for:

• Loose or wiggly stones
• Damaged or bent prongs
• Worn settings
• Damage to clasps, chains, or other connections
• Structural weaknesses in pieces

Regular professional cleanings and inspections help prevent a stone from falling out or snagging on a piece of clothing.

Cleaning Tips for Special Materials

Fine jewellery can be made from a variety of materials. Some require special care when cleaning.

• Gold Jewellery Care: Gold is one of the most low maintenance metals. Wiping it down with the warm water and mild soap solution is all you really need.
• Silver Care: Silver naturally tarnishes when exposed to air. It’s a normal process, but you can slow it down. A polishing cloth is your best option to keep silver looking shiny.
• Diamond Care: Diamonds love to attract oil and dirt. Clean diamonds often to keep them shiny and sparkling.
• Pearl Care: Never use soap or any chemicals on pearls. They should only be wiped down with a damp cloth and allowed to dry completely before storing.

Jewellery Storage Hacks for Long-Term Preservation

How you store your jewellery is just as important as how you clean it.

Each piece should be stored separately. Jewellery boxes with individual pouches or compartments for each piece are best. It prevents jewelry from scratching and tangling with other pieces.

Here are the golden rules for jewellery storage:

• Store in a cool, dry place. Away from direct sunlight. Heat and humidity can damage certain types of stones and metals.
• Store necklaces hanging or laid flat. Never toss them into a box or jewellery roll. The moment a chain or necklace gets a serious knot, it’s almost impossible to get out.
• Store silver in anti-tarnish bags or cloth. This will slow down the oxidation process that causes silver to tarnish.
• Never store pearls in an airtight container. Pearls need a little moisture to maintain their lustre. Store them in a soft cloth pouch.

When to Take Your Jewellery to a Professional

Some issues and problems need professional attention.

If you notice any of these warning signs with your fine jewellery, take it to a professional jeweller right away:

• Stones that wobble when touched or moved
• Prongs that are damaged or bent
• Clasps that don’t close properly
• Visible cracks or chips in stones or other areas
• Deep or severe tarnish that you can’t remove

Don’t wait until you lose a stone or something breaks completely. Professional jewellers can usually prevent long-term damage and more serious issues if they catch them early.

Wrapping Things Up

Caring for fine jewellery is not difficult, but it does take some effort and attention.

The basics are easy:

• Don’t wear your jewellery during risky activities.
• Remove your jewellery before showering, swimming, exercising, and going to bed.
• Clean your jewellery regularly with mild soap and water.
• Store each piece separately to prevent damage and tangling.
• Schedule professional cleanings and inspections at least once per year.

Following these simple steps will ensure your fine jewellery stays beautiful and valuable for generations to come. Whether you just purchased it or are caring for family heirlooms, regular maintenance and care will keep your pieces stunning for many years to come.

Remember, jewellery maintenance is an investment in itself. Spending a few minutes now to clean, store, and protect your jewellery will save you money on costly repairs later.

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