That beautiful necklace, bracelet or other piece of jewellery isn’t just a fashion statement – it often holds sentimental value and can be passed down through generations. Caring for the pieces in your jewellery collection will preserve their sparkle and shape for years to come. Here are some practical jewellery care tips to ensure your collection stays beautiful not just for you, but whoever wears them in the future.
Simple cleaning tips to keep your jewellery shining
Over time, your jewellery will accumulate dirt, oil, and residue from lotions and perfumes which will not only obscure its glow but affect the integrity of the materials. You can just soak most of your pieces in warm water with mild detergent and then clean them with a soft-bristled brush.
However, avoid abrasive tools since they can scratch and leave permanent marks on metals silver, gold, or platinum, in addition to loosening settings by weakening prongs or mounts. Also, don’t use harsh chemicals – they can strip off protective coatings or result in discolouration and also damage delicate gemstones. If you’re unsure how to clean delicate items, consider looking after your jewellery with some help from professional jewellery experts who can polish, clean, and repair your items and provide advice on long-term maintenance.
Tangle- and tarnish-free: Smart storage tips
When you’re not wearing it, make sure that you store your jewellery in a box lined with soft material such as velvet, felt, or suede. Most jewellery comes with a storage pouch designed specifically for the piece so use this when travelling or storing. A box should come with individual compartments so that different pieces such as earrings and necklaces don’t get tangled with each other and scratched. Anti-tarnish bags, which are infused with materials that absorb moisture and pollutants, are an excellent storage option for silver or other metals to prevent oxidation and discolouration. Finally, keep all items away from direct sunlight or areas of high humidity.
Everyday habits to protect jewellery
It’s easy to forget, but everyday activities can really take a toll on your jewellery over time. Remove rings and bracelets when cleaning, cooking, showering, or gardening. These activities involve chemicals, temperatures, and skincare products that could cause damage. There is also the danger of sudden physical shocks that could impact your pieces.
Additionally, the ingredients in everyday products like perfumes, creams, and hand sanitiser can be surprisingly harsh on jewellery. These items contain alcohol, acids, and other chemicals that can react with metals and stones, causing discolouration, dullness, or erosion. Make it a habit to remove rings, bracelets, and necklaces before applying these products, then wait a few minutes for creams and perfumes to fully absorb or dry before putting them back on.
A jeweller’s check-up is worth it
No matter how careful you are when wearing your jewellery, or how much you clean and care for it, you can’t prevent normal wear and tear. That’s why it’s worth taking your jewellery to a professional every so often to get it cleaned. They’ll also check for worn or broken prongs, loose stones, and other issues you might not spot. Regular polishing can also restore a piece’s original shine. Also, if you find that a ring no longer fits, don’t try to resize it yourself – resizing can be a complicated process and needs to be done by an expert.
Avoid wearing jewellery during physical activities
Wearing jewellery while exercising can lead to chips and scratches, and exposure to chemicals and knocks on hard surfaces and equipment. Also, you might lose pieces – especially earrings and bracelets – since they can fall off unnoticed as you’re absorbed in your task. Before starting any physical activity, remove all your jewellery and store it safely.
Keep an eye on temperature and humidity
Sudden temperature changes or extremely high humidity can affect gemstones – particularly delicate or porous ones such as turquoise or lapis lazuli, which can develop surface damage in damp or fluctuating environments. These conditions can also cause metal, particularly silver, to quickly tarnish. A cool, dry drawer or a lined jewellery case with anti-tarnish properties (such as built-in anti-tarnish strips or special compartments) will help maintain each piece’s condition and extend its lifespan.
Keep your jewellery looking brand new
Jewellery is meant to be worn and enjoyed but it deserves a little attention in return. Over time, even the most durable pieces will lose their shine without proper care. With regular cleaning, mindful storage, and professional maintenance, your favourite pieces will stay as beautiful as the day you got them.