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Writer's pictureAnanya Pujari

Jewelry Care Basics - How to Take Care of Your Jewelry and Keep It Sparkling

Updated: Dec 27, 2023

Your beloved jewelry collects memories across years. Preserve precious keepsakes by learning basic jewelry care. Treat all adornments gently, clean properly and store securely. Follow these sparkle-saving tips and your gems, gold and silver will stay stunning for decades!


Be Attentive When Wearing Jewels

Protect rings, necklaces, watches from unnecessary damage when wearing. Remove pieces before intense cleaning, exercising, gardening or handling chemicals. Rougher tasks may bend softer metals like gold or loosen stone settings. 


When dressing, put rings and bracelets on last after hairspray, perfume and lotion application. Avoid contact with these residues. Similarly, apply makeup before earrings to prevent buildup on posts or backs. 


Clean Jewelry Correctly  

Regular gentle cleaning keeps jewelry free of accumulated soaps, oils and dirt that dull luster. But avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives that erode metals and scratch stones. 


Diamonds and gemstones: Use warm water mixed with mild dish soap and soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub behind stone settings. Rinse and pat dry with soft cloth. 


Gold, silver, platinum: Soak briefly in premixed store-bought jewelry cleaning solution or mild dish detergent and warm water. Gently scrub away grime then rinse and dry. 


Pearls, opals, emeralds: Simply wipe with soft, slightly damp cloth to avoid damaging their delicate composition. Avoid all liquids and chemicals.


Ultrasonic cleaners also work well for suitable jewelry types. Check manufacturer guidance before placing pieces inside to clean.


Proper Jewelry Storage

Designate cleaned adornments to protective storage quickly after wearing. Proper storage preserves integrity and visual appeal between wears. Follow these guidelines:


Environment - Store inside cool, dark places like closed jewelry boxes on dressers. Avoid direct heat or sunlight that fades color. Control humidity to deter tarnishing.  


Positioning - Keep pieces separate rather than touching or piled which can entangle, scratch or dent. Line boxes with soft inserts to cushion. Hang long necklaces on hooks to prevent tangling.  


Materials - Wrap metals in anti-tarnish cloth to slow oxidation. Place soft cloth between pearls, opals and other fragile jewels so they don’t scratch if moved. 


Security - Install small locking jewelry safes out of sight if concerned about theft. Avoid cardboard boxes, pouches or unsorted piles that risk losing pieces.  


Duration - Rotate fine jewelry every few months to avoid prolonged inactive periods where dusty, unattended boxes invite damage. Freshen storage spaces regularly.


Professional Jewelry Maintenance & Repair

Take fine jewelry to credentialed specialists annually for comprehensive cleanings and assessments. Trained professionals properly steam clean stones, replate worn metals and restore settings using specialized tools. They’ll catch loose prongs, cracking gems and other issues needing intervention before catastrophe strikes! 


For sentimental costume or designer pieces needing repair, trusted professionals also offer restoration services reviving damaged treasures. From reshaping distorted bands to resetting replaced stones, their expertise gives broken jewels renewed life.  


Lasting Sparkle Through Careful Care

Caring consistently for precious adornments preserves their monetary and emotional value across decades. Handle gently daily. Clean routinely with appropriate non-abrasive methods for each jewelry type. Store properly in protected placements. Seek professional care as needed. 


With basic attentive maintenance, your cherished jewelry persists beautifully as heirlooms passed down for generations! Follow these important care essentials and keep your jewels dazzling forevermore.




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