Keep your jewellery dazzling with our ultimate care guide! Learn simple ways to maintain your pieces and ensure they always shine bright.
You probably have one piece that always comes to mind. A ring. A necklace. It’s not just about the price. Maybe it was passed down. Or bought at the right time. Maybe someone gave it to you, and it just stayed. Whatever it is, if you care about it, you must look after it.
That doesn’t mean doing everything by the book. Just start noticing. That’s the first thing. What do you wear often? What you keep in a drawer? What feels too fragile to use? Those are the ones to pay attention to.
What’s it made of? Start there.
Gold is soft. Most people don’t realise. You wear it daily, and it scratches. Platinum holds up better, but even that dulls after a while. Pearls? Don’t let them near perfume. Even water can hurt them.
If your piece has stones, ask questions. Heated or not? A lot of gemstones are treated. Others are left natural. Collectors like nature, but they’re harder to care for. They react more. To light, to temperature, to cleaners.
You might own something rare and not know it. Like a no-oil emerald. Or an unheated padparadscha sapphire. Stones like that are sensitive, even if they look tough. Best to see what you’re dealing with before you try cleaning it.
How you wear it adds up
You wouldn’t wear silk to scrub the floor. Jewellery’s the same. Not all of it’s meant for everyday wear. But even the stuff you use often gives it a break.
Take rings off before you clean. Skip earrings in the pool. Don’t spray perfume once your necklace is on. These are small habits, but they stop a lot of damage.
If it becomes routine, you won’t think twice. And you’ll avoid scratches, tarnishes, broken clasps and everything that creeps in over time.
Cleaning sounds easy until it isn’t
Gold? Sure. Warm water, mild soap, and soft brush. That’s safe. But not everything responds the same way. Diamonds are fine with a bit of brushing. Pearls and opals are not. Soaking them ruins the surface. Don’t do it.
If something looks cloudy or off, don’t guess. Guessing leads to damage you can’t undo. If it’s valuable, or you’re unsure, give it to someone who knows what they’re doing. A proper jeweller will spot what needs cleaning and what should be left alone.
How you store it is half the battle
People don’t talk enough about storage. But it matters. Tangled chains. Stones scratching metal. Clasps bending out of shape. That’s what happens when things are all dumped in one box.
Separate them. Pouches help. Boxes with sections. Even a folded cloth between rings does more than nothing. Lay things flat when you can. Don’t keep them in the bathroom.
Avoid sunlight, especially with coloured stones. Dry everything before putting it away. You don’t need a fancy setup. Just a setup that makes sense.
Things break quietly first
A loose clasp doesn’t seem urgent. Until it opens. A stone moves slightly, and then one day, it’s gone. The early signs are subtle. That’s your chance. Don’t wait until it breaks. Stop wearing it. Get it checked.
A good jeweller will see what’s wrong before it becomes a mess. Those working with delicate or bespoke jewellery will check the setting, tighten the parts that loosen over time, and clean it properly.
If your piece is one of a kind, it’s worth getting it looked at by someone who treats it that way. Someone like Arte Oro, where restoration isn’t rushed. They take the time to do it right, especially if the piece means something to you.
Old pieces have their own rules
Heirlooms. Vintage pieces. Anything that’s been passed down. These don’t act like modern jewellery. They’re softer. Their settings might not fit standard repairs. The finish might have changed over time, and you might want to keep it that way.
Don’t scrub the patina off. Don’t try to make it shine like new. Some of the wear is the beauty. If you’re unsure, ask. Someone who works with older pieces won’t just repair them. They’ll guide you. Sometimes, the right move is to leave it alone.
Ongoing care is just awareness
You don’t need a schedule. You just need to notice. Did a clasp start to slip? Did that necklace stop sitting flat? Did something feel off when you wore it last? That’s care. That’s what protects it.
Clean it gently before putting it away. Don’t leave it where it can tangle. Stop wearing it when something feels wrong. And if you ever wonder if it needs help, trust that thought.
The right jeweller won’t just fix it. They’ll understand why you’ve kept it and treat it with the same care you already give it.
Leave a Reply