Fine jewelry is built to last, but that doesn’t mean that it can handle everything. Just like a car or a house, the best way to preserve jewelry so it is ready for everyday use is through regular maintenance. Stopping into a store to have a jeweler inspect your pieces regularly, storing your pieces with care, taking them off when the situation calls for it, and keeping a close eye on the wear and tear of your jewelry are just a few of the ways that you can ensure your pieces last longer than your lifetime. Tailoring your care to match the type of precious metal and gemstones in your jewelry is also incredibly important. So what are best practices for these scenarios? Let us explain below by answering some of your most wondered questions…

What does proper jewelry care include? 

There are four main pillars of proper jewelry care, including - 

• Basic Cleaning - removing daily buildup from soap, lotion, dead skin, sunscreen, and oils. 

• Daily Protection - taking your jewelry off in the appropriate situations

• Proper Storage - putting your jewelry somewhere it will be protected when not worn

• Regular Maintenance - getting your jewelry inspected by a professional jewelry for wear and tear checks and repairs

Together, these four techniques can help you build the right routines for your piece. Certain jewelry, such as pearl or emerald pieces, require more gentle care and extra caution. But, knowing how best to care for your more delicate jewelry will help preserve its beauty for years to come. 

How often should I clean my jewelry? 

How often you should clean your jewelry is based heavily on what kind of piece it is and how often you wear it. Your everyday rings and bracelets will need more frequent cleanings while earrings and necklaces can often go much longer without one. Jewelry that you only wear on special occasions might need a little freshening up to remove dust, but otherwise are fine with a biennial clean versus every six months. 

While you can do small cleans at home, you should bring in daily wear jewelry pieces for a professional deep clean at least twice a year. At Vanscoy, Maurer and Bash Diamond Jewelers, we also check all your stones to make sure they’re secure and no repairs are needed on your piece. Our machines are also created to get all that build up between your stones, ensuring you walk about with a piece as good as new. 

Why does my jewelry look dull?

The most common reason why your jewelry appears dull is build up from lotion, soap, sunscreen, hair products and other common products. Precious metals are also susceptible to scratching, which can mute shine. Silver jewelry can also tarnish over time and platinum jewelry develops a patina on the surface, creating a matte finish on the piece.

The good news is making your pieces shine again is usually a quick fix. A turn on the polishing wheel, and a soak in our ultrasonic machine can work wonders to clean the encrusted grime and create a fresh slate for your jewelry. 

When should I never wear my jewelry? 

We know that there are some pieces you love so much, you never want to take them off. But, if you want to keep wearing them for years to come, there are a few situations that we recommend removing your jewelry for its own wellbeing. 

• The gym - your rings are not stronger than your weights. They can easily be scratched, cracked or broken by using heavy weights or other machinery. Necklace chains can be snapped by bars and can get extremely dirty due to sweat and other grime. Bracelets can also be caught in machinery or vulnerable to snapping under pressure. Also, given that heavy exercise can cause swelling, rings can get stuck on your fingers. To best protect your pieces, let them rest at home while you get your workout in. 

• Cleaning - Harsh cleaning chemicals, especially bleach, can slowly wear away at the alloys in your jewelry, causing them to be brittle and increasing risks of snapping. Even if you prefer the non-toxic stuff, cleaning is a very hand-heavy activity. To prevent scratches and other damage, keep your rings safe and enjoy them after you achieve a clean space.

• Pools, hot tubs, lakes and oceans - Chlorinated pools and hot tubs are a one-way ticket to future maintenance issues. Maybe you’ve worn your wedding rings in the pool or dipped your new David Yurman necklace in the hot tub, but it was fine! Well, there is work going on that you can’t see. Chlorine breaks down the alloys in gold over the years, causing stress fractures and it also speeds up the tarnishing process in silver. The salty ocean water can do that same thing. You also risk losing your piece in that body of water, a risk many aren’t willing to take (ourselves included). Prevent the stress and leave your jewelry at home or in a travel safety case before going for a swim.

• Gardening - Gardening, while therapeutic, is a very hand-heavy activity. Necklaces are at less of a risk, but your rings and bracelets face the most risk of trouble when worn while gardening. Even if you wear gloves, all those times you grip something or knock your ring against something weakens your piece. Dirt can also build up under prongs, causing loose stones. Your jewelry was mined from the earth and it doesn’t want to go back there again. For your rings and bracelets’ sakes, leave them inside. 

• Cooking and baking - Taking your rings and bracelets off when cooking is one of the best ways to prevent your jewelry from appearing dull and needing more frequent cleans. Dough from baked goods are notorious for sneaking into those crevices of your jewelry and turning into something similar to cement that is just as difficult to remove from your piece. The same goes for raw meat. Thinking of gloves? Sure, you can wear them but odds are your rings will rip the gloves and the constant nicking wears down the prongs. So if you don’t want to be able to see your meals when you clean your rings, leave them off when handling dough or raw meat with your hands!

• Washing dishes - Seems simple enough right? Well if you’re chipping in around the kitchen this holiday season, we recommended leaving your rings and bracelets somewhere safe. The constant banging against dishes made of a stronger material than your jewelry’s precious metals wears down your pieces over time. It can take one slip for a pan to knock a prong off your engagement ring and your diamond to slip out. So, spare yourself some heartache during the holidays and keep your rings somewhere safe! 

• Sleeping - You can’t treat your rings with the care they deserve when you’re not conscious. While you may think that your bed is a safe space, those blankets and pillows can prove to be a hazard to your ring’s prongs and your necklace’s chains (especially if you toss and turn in your sleep). 

How should I clean my jewelry at home? 

There are a few simple ways to clean your gemstone jewelry at home! Here are some of our favorites - 

• Soak in your pieces in your VMB-provided jewelry cleaner while showering, getting ready for your day, or at the gym. For diamond, sapphire and ruby pieces, take a very soft bristled toothbrush (avoid stiff brushes - it could scratch the metal or your gemstones). 

• Out of jewelry cleaner? Add a little Dawn dish soap to a small bowl of hot water and let your jewelry soak, then use the toothbrush for a quick clean. 

• For diamond jewelry cleaning on the go, a diamond cleaning pen is a great option! We do recommend only cleaning your diamond jewelry with those pens - they are specifically made for diamonds and could scratch other gemstones.

• For opal and pearl pieces, we recommend removing dust and buildup with a slightly damp paper towel or clean cloth. Due to their porous and organic nature, avoid submerging in water.

Is it safe to use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner at home? 

An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner is a machine that uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves in water, soup and ammonia solution to remove dirt, grime and other build-up from submerged objects. Some machines will also use heat to help more thoroughly clean pieces. These machines range from small to large, and at-home versions can be purchased on sites like Amazon. 

Since we at Vanscoy, Maurer and Bash Diamond Jewelers have an ultrasonic machine, we always recommend bringing your pieces into the store for a quick clean. If you’re desperate to keep your ring as clean as possible and can’t get in as often as you would like, then we recommend caution when using an at-home ultrasonic machine. Long term, frequent use of an ultrasonic machine can cause stones to become loose and eventually fall out. Large ultrasonic cleaners (like ours) allow us to suspense pieces in the solution, reducing the risk of lost stones. However, most small, at-home machines require you to lay your pieces against the bottom of the machine, causing more friction and intense movement thus increasing your chances of scratching your metal or losing your stones. If you are going to use an at-home ultrasonic, make sure you are closely observing your gemstones and bringing your ring in for frequent checks!

What should I never use to clean my jewelry? 

Each product in your house has its purpose and while some might be great at cleaning your kitchen sink, you won’t want to use it on your jewelry. Using inappropriate and harsh cleaners will eat away at the alloys in your pieces, weakening them over time and permanently destroying their structural stability. Some methods may not damage your pieces internally, but they can cause irreversible scratches.

Here is a quick list of products that are best to avoid when cleaning your rings - 

• Bleach, bleach-based cleaning products and chlorine (including pools!)

• Harsh household disinfectants and cleaners, including abrasive cleaners

• Toothpaste

• DIY baking soda based abrasive mixtures 

• Any brush with stiff bristles 

Does different jewelry need different care? 

Yes! The main three precious metals used in fine jewelry - sterling silver, gold and platinum - all have different properties, strengths and weaknesses. The same goes for the many precious and semi-precious gemstones set into your jewelry. While some pieces can withstand high heat, soaking in cleaning solution, and ultrasonic waves, using these methods with delicate or organic stones can cause permanent, irreversible changes and damage. When in doubt, give us a call or schedule an appointment to bring in your pieces for a professional cleaning!

How do I take care of diamond jewelry? 

The good news is diamonds tend to be the easiest gemstone to clean because diamonds are hard (won’t scratch), react well to heat, and aren’t affected by ultrasonic waves. However, they are very quick to latch on to oil and grime, making them one of the quickest gemstones to appear dirty. Even a single fingerprint can appear on the top of your diamond and ever so slightly dull your diamonds. We recommend frequent, quick home cleanings to get off that daily grime, taking off your rings when applying lotions, face wash, and other products to avoid build up, and coming in twice a year for a deep cleaning. 

How do I take care of gemstone jewelry? 

Not all gemstones are created equal - their properties are as unique as their appearance. A rule of thumb to remember is red, white and blue. Rubies, sapphires and diamonds are the three most resilient gemstones and can withstand heat, every day wear and ultrasonic waves. All other gemstones should be cleaned with caution. 

For example, emeralds are susceptible to drying out and cracking, so heat and chemicals should be avoided. Topaz is also susceptible to cleaving, so an ultrasonic machine should be avoided. Some softer gemstones can even be scratched by the bristles of a toothbrush. When in doubt, you can always bring your jewelry into Vanscoy, Maurer and Bash Diamond Jewelers for us to give your piece a professional cleaning. 

How do I take care of pearl and opal jewelry? 

Opals and pearls are notoriously difficult to clean. Opals are extremely porous gemstones, meaning they absorb and retain water. Even washing your hands while wearing an opal ring or bracelet can cause your opals to change color due to holding onto water. For this reason, we recommend only wearing opal jewelry for special occasions. The less you need to clean your opal pieces, the better! 

Unlike other gemstones, pearls are organic. They are grown by living creatures, rather than the earth. Pearls need fresh air and moisture to thrive, so you do want to wear your pearls semi-often. This doesn’t mean wear them all the time - exposure to chemicals (including your make up, hair or perfume products) can dull or even destroy your pearls, so put them on as the final step before going out for errands, visiting friends, dinner parties and other fun events, casual or fancy! 

How do I take care of silver jewelry? 

Sterling silver is the most accessible precious metal and is also the softest. Silver pieces are still perfectly capable of withstanding daily wear, but you are likely to see scratches sooner than other pieces. For this reason, sterling silver is not used for engagement rings. Silver also oxidizes and tarnishes quickly. Wearing your pieces is the best way to prevent tarnish. We also recommend storing any silver in sealed plastic bags to keep oxygen out and making sure it is completely dry before putting it away. Chlorine is also notorious for causing silver to tarnish much faster, and sometimes even while submerged. Take your pieces off before cleaning or going in a pool or hot tub. Even salt water pools and the ocean can cause faster tarnishing!

How do I take care of gold jewelry? 

While gold itself is considered a ‘soft’ metal, it is mixed with varying alloys to increase its strength and make it durable for everyday wear. Gold can still be scratched over time, but a quick professional polish will quickly bring your gold piece back to its original shine. 

It is always a good idea to take off your gold jewelry, especially your rings and bracelets, before doing hard physical activity with your hands. Avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals, or going into chlorine pools and hot tubs - while the gold won’t tarnish, the alloys in the piece will be weakened or destroyed, causing irreparable damage over time. Your ring may not look affected at the moment, but it gets weaker and weaker, causing cracks and fractures that can lead to breakage. 

If you have white gold jewelry, you may need to get your pieces rhodium plated in regular intervals. A rhodium plating gives white gold its characteristic white shine and without it, your white gold pieces may appear more yellow than normal. How quickly the plating wears away depends largely on how much you wear the piece and how it interacts with your skin. Rings may need a rhodium plating once a year while necklaces may not need anything for 5-10 years. 

How do I take care of platinum jewelry? 

Platinum jewelry is generally considered the most durable of the three commonly used precious metals. It is most resistant to scratches, doesn’t tarnish and maintains its white appearance without any additional rhodium plating. However, inevitably, platinum will develop a matte surface called a patina. This patina forms organically over the lifetime of the piece and is difficult to remove. Platinum cannot be polished back to its original, factory shine. 

Platinum may also be a more durable metal, but it is more prone to movement. So, while you may not have to worry about breakage with your platinum rings, it is good to keep an eye on your prongs for movement and on the band for roundness. 

How often should I bring my jewelry in for a professional clean and inspection?

For pieces that you wear frequently or are in high rotation, stopping in for a professional cleaning at least once a year is recommended and every six-nine months is preferred. Lesser worn pieces can also be brought in annually to every 18 months. For those more unique and delicate pieces that you only pull out on very important occasions, every few years is fine. 

A professional clean is more than just dipping your ring into an ultrasonic and giving it a steam clean. The jeweler will carefully examine your piece to ensure all the components are still working to the best of their ability and spot any areas that could be watched. Additionally, she can polish your piece and potentially rhodium plate your white gold pieces. Even if you are coming in for a quick clean, we at Vanscoy, Maurer and Bash Diamond Jewelers always check your pieces to ensure that no stones have come loose, no prongs are in danger, and your jewelry is ready for your next event. 

How do I know if my jewelry needs repair? 

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your jewelry and look out for signs that could become larger problems down the road. Your keen eyes could mean the difference between a small fix and a big repair. 

Bring your piece in if you notice - 

• A loose or moving gemstone

• An unusual rattle or movement (usually indicates a loose gemstone)

• A bent, broken, paper thin or missing prong

• A gemstone that suddenly looks crooked

• A ring that has become misshapen

• A stretched chain

• A clasp that doesn't close securely or won’t stay closed 

• Missing accent stones

• Cracks in the metal

• Significant thinning on the underside of a ring

• Jewelry suddenly catching on clothing more than usual

Whew, we know this is quite a lot of information! We could even keep going, but for now, we just want you to know that while your jewelry is extremely high quality, precious metals are fallible and can be damaged over time. A few good practices, such as taking your rings off when working out, cooking, cleaning, swimming and cleaning, can save you stress, time and money. And when in doubt, we would love to help direct you with best practices, advice to prevent issues, and repair services if the worst comes to be. Call or text us at (717) 299-4283 or just stop in for a visit - we’re always happy to see you!