Jewellery is loved for a variety of reasons; it holds sentimental value for its associations; it accessorises outfits perfectly and makes us feel special; it makes a statement about us and it can be a symbol of love and commitment. It’s adored by us for all these reasons and many more, one of which is that it can also be a great financial investment.

It’s, therefore, vitally important that your much-loved jewellery is well looked after. But, it can be incredibly confusing, with all the different metals and gemstones available, to know what you can and can’t do with your jewellery. Our customers regularly ask us what they can do to keep their jewellery sparkling, in-between professional cleaning and polishing, so we have put together some top tips to help you preserve the beauty and value of your jewellery:

• Clean and polish correctly

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to clean your jewellery. You can clean most jewellery with warm water, mild soap, and a soft bristle brush to remove dirt. Mild soap and water, however, should not be used to clean amber, coral, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli, opal, or turquoise.

Use soft bristle brushes when removing dirt so as not to scratch the gemstones. Rinse well and use a non-abrasive, soft, lint-free cloth to dry and polish jewellery. Wiping dirt off pearls with a soft damp cloth also works as does buffing them with a silk cloth to enhance their shine.

If you choose to use commercial cleaning products, consult the professionals first before using a chemical the first time. Be careful also with ultrasonic cleaners, as intense vibrations can loosen stones in your jewellery or damage gemstones like amber, coral, emerald, pearl, and ruby, amongst others.

After cleaning, make sure jewellery pieces are completely dry before storing them. Moisture can hasten deterioration.

• Store properly

Prevent build-up of dirt or dust in jewellery by storing them in their original cases or in a jewellery box. When storing in jewellery boxes, keep the items separate or place divisions between them so they can’t get scratched.

Be careful when choosing a jewellery case. Pearls are best stored in silk or chamois leather pouches and velvet-lined boxes. Beaded necklaces and bracelets should always be stored flat so they will not get stretched. You will need to have them restrung if they are stretched or knotted while in storage. 

Sterling silver easily reacts to chemicals in the air so keeping them in sealed plastic bags will make them less prone to tarnishing. Storage in sealed plastic bags, however, is a major NO-NO for pearl jewellery.

• Protect jewellery while in use

 To keep jewellery from exposure to dirt and harsh chemicals, do not wear them in swimming pools or when putting on makeup, hair spray, and perfumes. The chlorine found in swimming pool water can damage most gemstones and can even damage gold.

Pearl luster is easily damaged by cosmetics so make sure you don’t wear your pearls and other jewellery while applying or removing makeup.

Pearls are also susceptible to oils and salts, so be careful not to touch them with unwashed hands after eating.

Direct sunlight exposure can cause damage and discoloration, especially to sterling silver and gemstones like amethyst, aquamarine, rose quartz, smoky quartz and aventurine, amongst others. So, just be careful about what jewellery you’re wearing if you know you’re going to be outdoors for a long time. 

Avoid scratches on gemstones by removing your jewellery before activities like gardening, cleaning, swimming (gemstones may loosen in their settings), and high-impact sports.

Your jewellery may benefit from a professional clean and polish every few months, as this certainly gives jewellery its “bling” back. But, keeping your jewellery stored correctly and cleaning it yourself regularly and with the right materials, will ensure it looks fantastic, without professional help, for a very long time.