Fine jewelry is meant to be worn, not locked away — but a little regular care goes a long way toward keeping it looking its best and catching small problems before they become expensive ones.
Everyday Habits That Protect Your Jewelry
Put jewelry on last, after lotion, perfume, and hairspray, and take it off first before swimming, cleaning, exercising, or sleeping. Lotions and chlorine build up on metal and stones over time and can loosen prong settings or dull a stone's brilliance. Store pieces separately — in a soft pouch or lined box — so they don't scratch each other, especially harder stones like diamonds against softer ones like pearls or opals.
Safe At-Home Cleaning
For most diamond and gold or platinum jewelry, a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, a soft toothbrush, and a soft cloth to dry is genuinely all you need. Soak for 15-20 minutes, gently brush around the setting where dirt collects, rinse well, and pat dry.
A few exceptions: pearls, opals, emeralds, and other soft or porous stones should never be soaked — wipe them with a barely damp soft cloth instead. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners at home unless you know exactly what stone you're dealing with; some stones (including many emeralds) can be damaged by the vibration.
When to Bring It In
I'd rather see a loose stone before it falls out than after. If a ring feels like it's catching on things, if you notice a stone wiggling even slightly, or if it's just been a year or two since anyone's looked at the prongs and settings under magnification, that's worth a quick in-person check. I inspect and clean jewelry as part of every visit, and repairs — prong retipping, resizing, restringing — are all done in-house rather than sent out.
If something needs attention, you can read more about jewelry repair services or appraisals, or just book a time to bring your pieces in.
