Please Care for Your Jewelry

While it is undeniable that we all appreciate our jewelry, it never ceases to amaze me how poorly many of us care for it. Jewelry should be cared for regularly.

To start, I recommend that everyone have a place to store jewelry.  Please do not hide your rings in a baby food jar by the kitchen sink, for example!  There should be a spot in your home, preferably away from any danger of being thrown away, where removed jewelry should be stored.  Jewelry ought to be removed and cleaned often, if not daily. Many stones are lost after their annual cleaning, only to discover that it was the dirt, not the prongs, holding the stone in place. Pearls should be wrapped in a soft cloth, chains placed so as not to tangle, and hollow link chains and earring ought to be stored in a manner to prevent denting and bending.

Warm soapy water is a great “at home” way to clean most jewelry; and it is safe for everything, which some commercial cleaners are not. A worn, soft toothbrush also works well to remove grime.  It is amazing how jewelry sparkles even after the quickest do-it-yourself cleaning!

Your local jeweler will always accomplish the best, safest cleaning, and will usually do this as a service to any customer (long time or potential). Annually, your jeweler should check prongs, hoops and safety clasps on pieces that are worn often.  Have the string and knots examined on pearl and bead necklaces to be sure that they are not fraying, and test the tension on earring backs. About every 3 years, depending on the manufacturer, watches need to be cleaned.

I always recommend that jewelry be removed before sports or outdoor activity, but if there are certain pieces you always wear these steps need to be followed more often to safeguard the items you love. Finally, safety and care should go hand in hand, so putting your jewelry that is not often worn in a safe or bank safe deposit box is the best way to protect it.