Jewellery care

Caring for your jewellery

Once you've started your very own treasure trove of jewellery, you have to take very good care of what you have. The primary cause of damage to consumer jewellery is wear and tear. Settings can catch on clothing, clasps can break, and stones can fall out. If you wear your jewellery on a regular basis, these things must be expected. The harder stones such as rubies can be brittle, whereas softer stones such as turquoise and fluorite are very vulnerable to scratching. The quartz family, on the other hand, is sensitive to heat and strong sunlight which can cause a colour change. Research your specific gemstones to fully see how to fully take care of your piece. Don´t assume one step is appropriate for all your jewellery.

Family heirloom pieces shouldn´t be worn on a regular basis and settings and clasps should always be properly checked before each and every time they are worn. Also, it´s a better idea to have these items professionally cleaned rather than to attempt it yourself. Antique items are easily damaged by rough handling or the use of the wrong chemical. Heirloom pieces usually aren´t made from the same materials we use today and therefore may react differently to certain cleaning methods.

All of your jewellery should be stored in some sort of a soft-lined box or drawer. Under no circumstances should your pieces be thrown in one container together. That´s the fastest way to see your precious items destroyed. Keep your pieces away from moisture, dust and strong light. Make sure the area in which they are stored is neither too hot nor too cold. Room temperature is best-suited for jewellery storage. If you have smaller children, a lock might be appropriate to keep little hands from roaming through your collection.

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Cleaning and caring tips

If possible, avoid wearing jewellery while participating in contact sports or doing housework, gardening and repairs. The jewellery can be damaged and gemstones can be chipped, scratched or cracked. If during rough work, you want to wear a ring for sentimental reasons or to avoid losing it, wear protective gloves.

Avoid wearing jewellery in swimming pools or hot tubs that have chlorine disinfectants, and never soak it or clean it with bleach. Chlorine can pit and dissolve the metal, causing prongs to snap and mounting to break apart.

If possible, put your jewellery on last, after applying make-up and spraying your hair. Lotions and cosmetics can leave a film and tarnish your jewellery.

Gemstones are durable substances, but they do need some care. Even the hardest gemstones like diamonds, rubies and sapphires can shatter with a single well-placed blow especially if they have inclusions, which weaken the crystal structure. Organic gems like pearls or amber should only be wiped clean with a moist cloth. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous. Chemicals in hairspray, cosmetics, or perfume can damage pearls in particular.

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