How to Care for Your Fine Jewelry at Home

Fine jewelry is made to last, but only if it is treated right. Whether you have a diamond ring, a 14k gold filled cuff or a welded permanent bracelet, how you care for it day to day makes a real difference to how it looks years from now. Here is everything you need to know.

The golden rule: last on, first off

Put jewelry on last when getting ready and take it off first when you come home. This one habit protects your pieces from perfume, hairspray, sunscreen and lotion, all of which dull metal and cloud stones over time. Chemicals do not need to be harsh to do damage; everyday products build a film that affects the brilliance of a diamond and the surface of gold.

Cleaning gold jewelry at home

For solid gold and gold filled, a warm water soak with a few drops of mild dish soap is all you need. Let the piece soak for ten to fifteen minutes, then scrub gently with a soft toothbrush, especially around prongs and textured surfaces where dirt collects. Rinse well and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for pieces with softer stones, and never use bleach, chlorine or abrasive cleaners on any jewelry.

Cleaning gemstone jewelry

Different stones need different care.

• Diamonds. Very durable. The dish soap method works well. Diamonds attract grease, so regular cleaning keeps them bright.
• Emeralds. Often treated with oils or resins to improve clarity. No ultrasonic cleaners, no steam. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth only.
• Sapphires and rubies. Very durable; the soap and brush method is fine. Avoid harsh chemicals.
• Pearls. Wipe with a soft damp cloth after wearing. Never soak them. Store flat or in a soft pouch, not hanging, because the string stretches.
• Turquoise, lapis lazuli, moonstone. Porous or delicate. A barely damp cloth only. No soaking, no ultrasonic, no steam.

Permanent jewelry

A welded permanent bracelet, anklet or necklace from Albisia is designed to be worn all the time, water included. You can shower, swim and exercise in it. To clean it, lather with mild soap in the shower and rinse well; if you see buildup around the links, a soft toothbrush does the job.

One thing to watch: chlorinated pools and hot tubs speed up wear on any metal over time. Not a problem now and then, but worth knowing if you swim every day.

Storage: keep pieces apart

Jewelry scratches jewelry. Store pieces individually, in separate compartments, small pouches or soft cloth. Diamonds are hard enough to scratch gold and other stones, so keeping them apart is protection, not tidiness.

Keep jewelry out of direct sunlight and away from heat, which can fade some stones and affect metal over time. Cool, dry and dark is ideal.

When to bring a piece in

Home care goes a long way, but some things need the bench. Bring an Albisia piece to us when a prong looks bent or worn, a stone feels loose, a clasp is stiff, a surface needs professional polishing, or discoloration does not respond to cleaning.

A professional clean and inspection once a year for fine jewelry you wear daily catches small problems before they become large ones. We are glad to look at any Albisia piece whenever you visit us in Hyde Park Village.