Jewelry Care 101: How to Keep Your Pieces Shining for Years

Understanding how to clean, store, and maintain different types of jewelry can help you avoid tarnishing, scratches, and other damage. With proper care, your favorite pieces will continue to sparkle and shine for years—even generations—to come.

The Basics of Jewelry Care

No matter what type of jewelry you own, these fundamental care practices will help preserve its beauty:

• Wear it wisely: Remove jewelry before swimming, exercising, cleaning, or applying cosmetics and perfumes.
• Last on, first off: Make jewelry the last thing you put on when getting ready and the first thing you take off when returning home.
• Separate storage: Store pieces individually to prevent scratching and tangling.
• Regular cleaning: Even with careful wear, jewelry needs periodic cleaning to remove oils and dirt that accumulate over time.
• Professional check-ups: Have valuable pieces professionally inspected at least once a year to check for loose stones or worn prongs.

Metal-Specific Care

Gold Jewelry

Pure gold (24K) doesn't tarnish, but most gold jewelry is an alloy mixed with other metals to increase durability, which can cause discoloration over time.

How to clean:

1. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm (not hot) water in a small bowl.
2. Soak the jewelry for 15-30 minutes.
3. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, paying special attention to crevices.
4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and allow to air dry completely before storing.

Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver naturally tarnishes when exposed to air and certain chemicals, but with proper care, you can slow this process and easily restore its shine.

How to clean:

1. For light tarnish, use a silver polishing cloth (these are treated with special chemicals that remove tarnish while polishing).
2. For heavier tarnish, use a commercial silver cleaner following the product directions carefully.
3. Alternatively, line a glass dish with aluminum foil (shiny side up), add a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt, pour hot water over it, and soak silver items for a few minutes, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

Prevention tips:

• Store silver jewelry in anti-tarnish bags or with anti-tarnish strips.
• Keep silver in a low-humidity environment.
• Wearing your silver jewelry regularly actually helps prevent tarnish, as the natural oils in your skin help maintain its luster.

Platinum Jewelry

Platinum is extremely durable and doesn't tarnish, but it can develop a patina (a soft sheen) over time that many people appreciate as part of its character.

How to clean:

1. Clean as you would gold jewelry, with mild soap and warm water.
2. For a higher shine, use a jewelry cloth specifically designed for platinum.
3. If you prefer the original bright finish over the patina, have your platinum jewelry professionally re-polished.

Gemstone Care

Diamonds

While diamonds are the hardest natural substance, they can still accumulate oils and dirt that diminish their brilliance, and they can chip if struck at the right angle.

How to clean:

1. Soak in a solution of warm water and mild dish soap for 20-30 minutes.
2. Gently brush with a soft toothbrush, especially around the setting where dirt can accumulate.
3. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
4. For extra sparkle, you can use commercial jewelry cleaners specifically formulated for diamonds.

Colored Gemstones

Different gemstones require different care approaches based on their hardness and stability:

Durable gemstones (sapphires, rubies, garnet):

• Clean as you would diamonds, with mild soap and water.
• Can use a soft brush for gentle cleaning.

Medium-durability gemstones (emeralds, aquamarines, amethysts):

• Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water.
• Avoid prolonged soaking, especially for emeralds.
• Never use ultrasonic cleaners or steamers.

Delicate gemstones (opals, pearls, turquoise, coral):

• Wipe gently with a slightly damp, soft cloth.
• Never soak or submerge in water.
• For pearls, wipe with a soft cloth after each wear to remove oils and perfumes.
• Restring pearls annually if worn frequently.

Expert Storage Solutions

Proper storage is as important as regular cleaning for preserving your jewelry:

• Jewelry boxes with individual compartments: Prevent pieces from scratching each other.
• Anti-tarnish cloths or bags: Essential for silver pieces.
• Hanging organizers: Ideal for necklaces to prevent tangling.
• Moisture control: Include silica gel packets in storage areas to reduce humidity.
• Temperature considerations: Store away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes.

Special Care for Vintage and Antique Jewelry

Older pieces often require extra consideration:

• Have vintage pieces professionally evaluated before cleaning.
• Be especially gentle with antique settings, which may be more fragile than modern ones.
• Consider professional cleaning for valuable heirloom pieces.
• Document and insure significant pieces.

When to Seek Professional Help

While regular at-home maintenance is important, some situations call for professional intervention:

• Loose or missing stones
• Bent or damaged prongs
• Broken clasps or chains
• Deep scratches in metal
• Stubborn tarnish that won't respond to home cleaning methods
• Any concerns about delicate or valuable pieces

The Professional Touch

At the Seybold Jewelry Building in Downtown Miami, we offer comprehensive jewelry care services:

• Professional cleaning: Using specialized equipment to safely restore brilliance
• Inspection services: Checking for loose stones, worn prongs, or other potential issues
• Repair services: From simple clasp replacements to complex restoration work
• Restringing: For pearl necklaces and beaded jewelry
• Appraisal updates: Ensuring your insurance coverage reflects current value

With proper care and occasional professional maintenance, your jewelry can remain beautiful for generations, becoming treasured heirlooms that carry both monetary and sentimental value. Visit us at the Seybold Jewelry Building, where our experts can provide personalized advice for your specific pieces and help you maintain your jewelry collection in pristine condition.