General Jewelry Care Guidelines
Remove Jewelry Before Physical Activities
Always take off your jewelry before any physical activity to prevent damage or wear. Whether you’re hitting the gym, cleaning, or playing sports, movement and impact can lead to scratches, dents, or even broken settings. Sweat and harsh surfaces can also tarnish metal finishes and weaken gemstone settings over time. Keep your pieces safe by removing them beforehand and storing them in a secure, dry place.
Avoid Contact with Chemicals
To keep your jewelry looking its best, avoid contact with chemicals like perfumes, lotions, hairspray, and household cleaners. These substances can damage the finish, cause discoloration, and weaken gemstone settings over time. Always put on your jewelry after applying beauty products, and remove it before cleaning or using any harsh agents. This simple care tip helps preserve shine, structure, and overall quality—especially for gold, white gold, and lab-grown diamond pieces.
Remove Before Showering or Swimming
Always take off your jewelry before showering or swimming to avoid long-term damage. Water exposure—especially from pools or the ocean—can dull gemstones, erode finishes, and weaken metal settings. Chlorine and salt are particularly harsh on gold, silver, and lab-grown diamonds. Even frequent contact with fresh water can cause gradual wear. To keep your pieces brilliant and intact, store them in a dry, secure spot before stepping into the shower or diving in.
Store in a Sealed Container
Proper storage keeps your jewelry safe, scratch-free, and shining like new. Always store your pieces in a sealed container or soft-lined box to protect them from air, moisture, and dust—common causes of tarnish and dullness. Keeping jewelry separate also prevents tangles and surface damage, especially for delicate chains or gemstones. Whether you're at home or traveling, sealed storage is an easy habit that preserves brilliance and extends the life of your favorite pieces.
Remove Before Going to Sleep
Always remove your jewelry before going to sleep to avoid unnecessary damage. Nighttime movement can stress delicate settings, bend thin chains, or loosen gemstones. Wearing pieces overnight may also cause discomfort and increase the risk of scratches or breakage. By making this a part of your nightly routine, you protect your jewelry from wear and tear, helping it stay in great condition for longer. Simple habits like this make a big difference in maintaining both the look and lifespan of your favorite pieces.
Clean and Polish with a Soft Cloth
To keep your jewelry looking radiant, clean it regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth. This gently removes dirt, skin oils, and smudges without scratching the surface. Avoid rough fabrics or paper towels, which can cause fine abrasions. A quick polish restores shine and keeps metals and gemstones gleaming. For best results, make it a part of your weekly routine—especially for pieces you wear often. Consistent, gentle care helps your jewelry maintain its brilliance and sparkle, no matter how often you wear it.
Cleaning Tips by Jewelry Type
Each type of jewelry requires specific care to maintain its beauty and strength. Diamonds, gold, and gemstones all react differently to cleaning methods and environmental exposure. To keep your pieces looking their best, it’s important to follow proper jewelry care routines based on materials. For example, diamonds respond well to mild soap and water, while delicate gemstones like opals or pearls need extra caution. Fashion jewelry should be kept dry and stored properly to prevent tarnishing or damage. Consistency is key—regular gentle cleaning and safe storage will preserve shine, prevent buildup, and help your favorite jewelry last for years.
Diamonds: Gentle Cleaning with Mild Soap and Water
Diamonds may be the hardest gemstone, but they still collect buildup from skin oils, soap, and everyday wear. To keep your lab-grown or natural diamond jewelry sparkling, soak it in a small bowl of warm water mixed with mild soap for about 10–15 minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean around the stone and inside the setting. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid bleach or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the setting or metal. Regular gentle cleaning helps maintain brilliance and protects the structural integrity of your diamond jewelry over time.
Gold: Polish Regularly and Handle with Care
Gold jewelry is classic, but it needs regular care to keep its glow. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth to gently polish the surface and remove dirt or fingerprints. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive products, especially for white gold which often has a rhodium finish that can wear off. To prevent scratches, store each gold piece in a soft pouch or lined box. Remove gold jewelry before swimming, cleaning, or applying lotion. Whether it’s yellow, white, or rose gold, regular polishing and careful handling will help preserve the shine and detail of your favorite pieces.
Gemstones: Care Based on Stone Type
Gemstones vary in hardness, sensitivity, and how they respond to water, heat, and chemicals. Harder stones like sapphires or rubies can handle mild soap and water, while delicate ones—such as pearls, opals, and emeralds—should never be soaked or exposed to harsh cleaners. Use a soft, damp cloth for these softer gems and always store them separately in padded pouches to prevent scratching. Avoid direct sunlight or extreme heat, which can fade color or cause cracking. Understanding what each stone needs helps you care for your jewelry properly and ensures it stays beautiful for years to come.
Do’s and Don’ts
The right jewelry habits go a long way in keeping your pieces safe, shiny, and strong. Do clean your jewelry regularly using gentle methods—like warm water and a soft cloth. Do store pieces separately to avoid scratches. Remove jewelry before workouts, sleep, or water exposure. Don’t use bleach, toothpaste, or rough cloths to clean your jewelry, as these can cause permanent damage. Don’t toss pieces together in a box—this can lead to tangling and scratching. These simple do’s and don’ts can help protect both fashion jewelry and luxury items, keeping your collection radiant and ready to wear.
Jewelry Care Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s for Jewelry Care | Don’ts for Jewelry Care |
---|---|
Have your jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected regularly to maintain shine and catch loose settings early. | Avoid wearing jewelry in pools or hot tubs—chlorine and heat can damage metals and cloud gemstones. |
Check for loose stones, prongs, or clasps to prevent accidental loss or damage. | Don’t clean jewelry with toothpaste or baking soda—they're too abrasive and can scratch delicate finishes. |
Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined box to avoid scratches and tangles. | Don’t spray perfume, hairspray, or lotion directly on your jewelry—chemicals can corrode metal and fade stones. |
Remove jewelry before working out, cleaning, or doing hands-on tasks to protect settings and surfaces. | Don’t toss all your jewelry into one box—it can cause unnecessary friction, especially with gold or stone pieces. |
Clean gently with warm water and mild soap when needed—especially for gold, diamonds, and gemstones. | Don’t overlook seasonal care—sweat, sunscreen, and even gloves can affect how your jewelry wears. |
Inspect clasps, hinges, and prongs regularly to catch wear before it turns into a repair. | Don’t sleep in jewelry—overnight pressure can bend, twist, or loosen delicate parts over time. |
Maintenance of Your Jewelry Care
Jewelry maintenance isn’t just for heirlooms—it’s for your everyday favorites too. Regularly inspect your jewelry for signs of wear or loosening. Check clasps, hinges, prongs, and stone settings to ensure everything is secure. A bent prong or weak clasp could mean a lost stone or broken chain. Catching small issues early can help you avoid costly repairs or replacements. It’s also a good idea to have your fine or luxury jewelry professionally checked and cleaned once or twice a year. Whether it’s gold, white gold, or gemstone jewelry, proper upkeep keeps it wearable and beautiful for longer.
Between professional cleanings, gently clean your pieces at home with mild soap and warm water. Use a soft brush to remove dirt, and always dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Avoid wearing jewelry during strenuous activity, and store each piece separately to avoid scratching. These small habits—when done regularly—help preserve the structure, value, and shine of your most loved pieces.
Special Care for Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds, but they still deserve specific care. Like any fine jewelry, they should be cleaned regularly using a gentle solution of warm water and mild soap. Let your piece soak for a few minutes, then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean behind the diamond and along the setting. Rinse well and gently dry with a microfiber or lint-free cloth to restore clarity and brilliance. Avoid bleach, harsh household cleaners, or ultrasonic machines, especially if your diamond is set in gold or has delicate detailing.
Store your lab-grown diamond jewelry in a soft-lined box or individual pouch to prevent surface scratches. If you're stacking pieces, make sure nothing sharp or abrasive touches the diamond’s surface or metal. Always remove jewelry before intense workouts, housework, or sleep. Lab-grown diamonds are strong, but protective care extends their beauty. With regular attention and safe handling, your lab-grown diamond jewelry will keep its sparkle—and its sentiment—for years to come.