Jewelry Care and Cleaning Jewelry

Many jewelers provide cleaning as a complimentary service, as well as a check-up to be sure stones are safe in their settings. Taking advantage of this, along with regular cleaning at home, can ensure a lifetime of enjoyable wear.

The Basics

Regularly worn rings need periodic cleaning to remove the film caused by cosmetics, soap, and skin oil that may cloud the ring's beauty.

Remove rings before doing household chores and clean them regularly as diamonds, for example, are attracted to grease and collect oils in dishwater.

Remove jewelry before any activity, which might subject a gemstone to sharp blows and cause damage. This includes gardening, working with hand tools, or playing sports.

Always put jewelry on AFTER you apply hair spray or cosmetics. Chemicals present in either may cause damage, especially to cultured pearls.

Wipe pearls with a soft chamois or flannel cloth after each wearing to remove your skin's oils and salts.

Beware under the sun or in tanning salons as some colored gemstones, such as kunzite, may fade.

Cleaning Jewelry at Home

Use a mild soap and water solution used with a soft brush is effective enough for most jewelry.

Always check with your jeweler before using commercial cleaning products as the chemicals in some products can damage certain gems, especially pearls.

Use soapy water to clean pearls, and avoid getting the string wet as it will stretch or break. Soft brushes used in applying cleansers can do damage to pearls.

Invest in polishing cloths specifically for karat gold or sterling silver. Do not use paper towels; they can scratch the metal.