Basic Jewelry Care

Clean Your Jewelry With Care 

Cleaning your jewelry regularly can keep it looking good. You can either purchase commercial cleaners from a jeweler or make a cleaning solution yourself with mild soap.

Use Warm Water to Clean Jewelry 

Using warm water is the best bet when cleaning your jewelry. Hot water can sometimes cause a reaction with cleaning fluids, resulting in discoloration. Sterling Silver is especially susceptible to this problem. Should this occur, the problem can be remedied by buffing and the application of a tarnish remover.

Avoid Cleaning Damaged Jewelry 

Never clean any jewelry that is damaged, cracked or broken, since the additional handling is likely to exacerbate or worsen the problem. If you find that a piece of jewelry is damaged, it should be set aside for repair as soon as possible.

Inspect Your Jewelry Regularly 

Just like anything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When having your jewelry professionally cleaned, it's a good idea to have each item checked and inspected for any possible problems. Addressing signs of damage, or loose gemstones will prevent any further damage or loss and keep all of your pieces in excellent shape for years.

Prevent Damage to Your Jewelry 

Prevention is the best way to avoid the necessity of repair. A regular inspection is the best way to minimize potentially costly repairs. You can perform a simple inspection every two to three months to ensure that the condition of your jewelry is good.

Look for Reviews and Referrals 

When deciding on a jeweler to perform your jewelry repairs, look for reviews of their work and ask for referrals when appropriate. Furthermore, taking a few moments to ask questions of the jeweler is a wise investment that should pay off with a good jewelry repair experience.

Jewelry Repair Pricing 

When jewelry repair pricing is being quoted, it's wise to ensure that these figures are being quoted from a price-book rather than off the top of someone's head. When a jeweler takes the time to publish their prices, it's clear that they have extensive experience and have thoroughly researched their investment of time and materials to complete the job correctly.

Observe the Jewelry Take-in Procedures 

A clear description of how an item is to be repaired is the key to a successful repair. Closely observe the jewelry take-in procedure when the repair is being explained. The issues with each piece being repaired should be well documented using descriptions and drawings to ensure that the repair will be done correctly the first time.

Keep Your Jewelry Secure 

Store your jewelry in a container and prevent pieces from moving around. While fabric-lined jewelry boxes are ideal, you can also use a simple shoebox and pieces of fabric.

Prevent Your Jewelry from Tarnishing 

Sometimes, jewelry tarnishes went not worn for very long. To maintain the luster of your silver and gold jewelry, place silver anti-tarnish strips in your storage container to absorb the oxidants that discolor and tarnish jewelry.

Inventory Your Jewelry 

Unfortunately, jewelry can get lost or stolen. Taking a regular inventory can be incredibly useful when making an insurance claim or filing a police report. A photograph, a written physical description of each piece along with its cost is ideal.

When Travelling with Jewelry, Use a Travel Case 

Travelling can be tough on jewelry. It’s wise to use a travel case to protect your favorite pieces. Traditionally made of fabric or leather, a jewelry travel case can carry jewelry of all types and can easily roll up to a size that's easily storable in most suitcases, makeup cases or business cases.