With proper care and timely cleanings, fine jewelry will last a lifetime and look as brilliant as it did the day you brought it home. In order to ensure that your treasured fine jewelry pieces stay safe, sound, and sparkling, below, we’re sharing a guide to jewelry care and cleaning. Continue reading to discover what you should do-- and should not do-- if you want to keep your jewelry free of damage and shining brightly. 

Be Mindful of Heat and Light Exposure

Over time, repeated exposure to light and heat can affect the color and durability of certain gemstones. For example, prolonged sun exposure can fade amethyst, bleach pearls, and darken amber. Then, gems like topaz and opal can have more than just their color damaged. They can actually fracture due to high heat or sudden temperature changes. Because heat and light exposure can damage the beauty and structure of many gems, be mindful of your gemstone jewelry’s sensitivity to these elements. 

Avoid Harsh Chemicals 

Harsh chemicals can damage precious metals like gold, platinum, and silver, and may also negatively affect certain colored gemstones. And while we don’t often think about it, harsh chemicals can be found in many things we use or encounter on a daily basis. Common cosmetics like hairspray, perfume, and lotion may contain chemicals that can permanently damage sensitive gemstones like pearls or opals. Household cleaning products can contain extremely harsh chemicals, such as ammonia and chlorine bleach, causing them to easily damage precious metals and certain gemstones. 

Because chemical exposure can be quite damaging to your jewelry, it’s wise to be mindful of the chemicals in your home in order to keep your jewelry away from them. Put your jewelry on after applying your cosmetics and take your jewelry off before you dive into chlorinated swimming pools or hot tubs. Furthermore, remember to never clean your jewelry with harsh household cleaning products, which are exceedingly likely to damage your fine jewelry pieces. 

Use the Simple Soap and Water Cleaning Method

Though you shouldn’t use harsh household cleaners on your fine jewelry, you can clean most types of fine jewelry at home using a simple, gentle, and highly effective cleaning method: the soap and water cleaning method. 

To clean jewelry using this method, mix lukewarm (not hot, not cold) water and a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl. Allow your jewelry to soak in this soapy water solution for a few minutes before removing it and gently scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush or a microfiber towel. Rinse your jewelry in a new container of clean warm water (do not rinse over a sink drain), pat it dry with a soft cloth (not a paper towel, which is too harsh), and set it aside to allow it air dry. If your jewelry still looks dull or dim, repeat this process as needed. 

Skip Ultrasonic Cleaners 

At-home ultrasonic cleaners can seem like an easy, convenient jewelry cleaning solution. However, they often do far more harm than good. Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners can damage many precious materials, including treated gemstones, gemstones that are sensitive to heat, and organic gem materials such as pearls, coral, and ivory. On top of that, the intensive vibrations of ultrasonic jewelry cleaners can sometimes shake settings loose, putting you at risk of losing a stone. So while ultrasonic cleaners may remove build-up, they may also remove luster, color, and structural integrity.

This is all to say that, while ultrasonic cleaners are used by jewelers who provide professional cleanings, their use is best left to the professionals who have a comprehensive understanding of different gemstones, precious metals, and settings. These machines simply leave far too much room for user error. 

Consider Proper Storage 

An often-overlooked element of jewelry care is storage. You don’t want to simply throw your jewelry in a drawer or leave it out in any old place, as this is a recipe for scratches and light damage. Most jewelry pieces are best stored in containers like the ones they come in: soft cloth pouches or cloth-lined boxes. Jewelry boxes and travel pouches with individual cloth-lined compartments are also excellent choices for most types of jewelry. 

As always, remember to be mindful of your jewelry’s special care needs when storing it. For example, tarnish-prone sterling silver jewelry should be stored in an anti-tarnish cloth or bag, and humidity-sensitive opal and pearl jewelry shouldn’t be kept in ultra dry locations (like airtight safes) for long. 

Don’t Neglect Professional Cleanings

Last but not least, remember to take the time to have your jewelry professionally cleaned. Having your jewelry professionally cleaned not only keeps it sparkling, it also keeps it safe, as jewelers will examine the integrity of your settings during a cleaning. Frequently worn pieces, such as engagement rings and wedding bands, should be professionally cleaned around twice a year. For less frequently worn pieces, use your best judgement to decide when to take it to your jeweler. Keep in mind that you will still want to occasionally check on the structural integrity of rarely-worn pieces from time-to-time, even if they remain fairly clean due to infrequent wear.