Emma Scaramozzino - September 10, 2021

JEWELRY CARE 101

Everything you need to know about caring for your jewelry. Cleaning, storage, insurance, and more!

Source: Shahla Karimi

INSURANCE

Insuring your jewelry is one of the most important aspects of jewelry care. We like to compare it to driving a car without insurance; although you may drive safely, there's no guarantee your car won't endure some damage over the years. The same goes for your jewelry.

The easiest way to insure your jewelry is by adding a jewelry rider to your renter's or homeowner's insurance. Insuring your jewelry separately is also an option - for this, we recommend Jeweler's Mutual.

Source: Magnasonic

Source: Blitz

CLEANING

Depending on the type of jewelry you are looking to clean, there are many ways to keep it looking shiny and new. An ultrasonic is an electric jewelry cleaner that uses ultrasound waves combined with a cleaning solution to remove dirt and oil build-up. This is a quick and effective way to have your jewelry looking as good as new without having to visit your local jeweler for a cleaning. We personally recommend the Magnasonic for at-home use along with Blitz Gem & Jewelry Cleaner Concentrate. Please note, the ultrasonic is safe for all metals, diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Other stones such as emeralds, for example, should be cleaned using a gentler method or by a professional.

If the ultrasonic isn't suitable for your jewelry, or you're crunched for time, a small toothbrush, warm water, and soap are all you need. This method is safe for all types of jewelry and the components are readily available. Another great option to have on hand is the Diamond Dazzle Stik. This pocket-sized pen has a brush specifically engineered for ease of cleaning behind diamonds and holds a cleaning solution safe for almost all diamonds and gems.

If you are looking for a way to clean your pearl jewelry, it is important to note their chemical composition is very different from other stones. Keeping this in mind, the best way to care for your pearls is by avoiding perfume, hair products, cosmetics, etc. while wearing them and cleaning them with a damp cloth after each wear.

Source: Sunshine Polishing Cloths

UPKEEP

One of the best ways to keep your jewelry looking new is by polishing it frequently. Polishing cloths help remove fingerprints, oils, tarnish, dirt, scratches, and dullness from your jewelry. If you're wearing certain pieces 24/7, polishing them weekly is a must. This quick and easy tip makes a big difference, as it can keep your jewelry looking new for much longer. The Sunshine Brand polishing cloths are our favorite for weekly or even daily upkeep! Please note that when you polish your jewelry, black marks will start to form on the cloth. This is completely normal & indicates that the cloth is successfully cleaning the metal.

Source: Shahla Karimi

DAMAGE PREVENTION

It is safe to wear your jewelry during almost all of your daily activities, however, there are a few occasions we suggest taking it off for. This may be obvious, but it's best to leave jewelry (especially rings) at home when doing activities where you're rough with your hands; working out (with the exception of running and yoga), household chores (especially dishes), rock climbing, etc. can definitely bang up your jewelry / cause stones to loosen. You should also think twice about swimming with it on - your jewelry is water-resistant, but there's always a chance you could lose it in the ocean, a lake, or even a pool, as your fingers are likely to shrink as your body temperature cools. Lastly, we recommend taking off all of your jewelry before bed. Although you may think you don't move much in your sleep, there's always a possibility that your jewelry could get caught on your bedding. This will not only leave fibers behind in your ring, but it can also cause prongs to weaken and stones to become loose. There are some activities, however, that we do encourage leaving your jewelry on. Washing your hands, for example, is a great way to keep your rings clean - soap them up!

Source: Mark & Grahm

Source: West Elm

STORAGE

When you do decide to take your jewelry off, make sure to store it in a safe place where pieces won't get tangled or bang against each other. A jewelry box or catching dish are two great options, though, you can also start with something more simple like keeping pieces in separate jewelry pouches. Doing so will prevent scratches and potential damage as well as keep your pieces organized. It is also important to note that pearls should be stored separately from your other jewelry. Pearls are one of the softest gemstones out there, only a 2.5 to 3.0 on the Mohs Scale of hardness, so this is essential to prevent scratching. Their chemical composition is also very different from other stones. Keeping this in mind, you should never store your pearls in plastic bags (plastic can emit a chemical that will damage their surface).