Care instructions
Jewelry Care Rules: A Complete Guide to Cleaning and Storage
Jewelry is worn by both women and men—it completes an outfit, emphasizes personal style, and can even be a symbol of status. That’s why proper care is essential to preserve its beauty. Without the right maintenance, jewelry can lose its sparkle and luxurious look. It’s important to remember how to wear, store, and clean your pieces.
How to Protect Your Jewelry from Damage
Gold, silver, and platinum jewelry should not be worn constantly. It’s best to put your pieces on right before going out or attending a special occasion, and remove them when you:
- Go to bed – earrings or pendants can cause discomfort while sleeping.
- Take a bath, shower, or swim – water can dull metals and gemstones, and there’s always a risk of losing your jewelry.
- Do housework or gardening – jewelry may get dirty, scratched, or lost during these activities.
- Work out or play sports – physical activity can damage delicate pieces, and sweat may cause metals and stones to darken.
- Visit a beautician or massage therapist – creams, oils, and other cosmetic products can harm jewelry.
- By removing your jewelry in these situations, you protect it from scratches, chemicals, and excess moisture.
Substances That Can Damage Precious Metals
If cosmetics or chemicals come into contact with gold, silver, or platinum, even the most elegant diamond piece may lose its brilliance over time. To prevent this, avoid letting your jewelry touch harmful substances.
Skincare and haircare products—like creams, foams, and sprays—can dull jewelry. Perfume and essential oils should also never be applied after putting on jewelry. Always use them beforehand.
Other substances that can damage jewelry include:
- Products containing chlorine, acetone, or alkalis
- Medical solutions such as iodine or potassium permanganate
- Harsh cleaning agents and abrasives
- Scrubs or sand
- Laundry detergents and stain removers
- X-rays or ultraviolet radiation
Proper Jewelry Storage: The Key to Lasting Beauty
Caring for jewelry also means storing it properly. Ideally, each piece should be kept in a separate soft pouch made of organza or suede. Cases are also suitable, as they prevent chains or bracelets from tangling.
A jewelry box with a soft lining and separate compartments for each item works well too. Cardboard or wooden boxes, however, are not recommended, as they absorb moisture and may cause the metal to tarnish.
It’s also important to store jewelry in a place that is:
- Dry, free from moisture and humidity
- Far from heaters or radiators
- Protected from direct sunlight and dust
How to Clean Jewelry at Home
Jewelry can be cleaned at home, and it’s worth doing from time to time. However, certain rules must be followed to preserve its beauty. You should always consider the type of metal, stone, or inlays, since jewelry can also contain materials like leather, rubber, or enamel. Using the wrong cleaning agents may damage them.
Cleaning Gold Jewelry at Home
The easiest items to clean are gold pieces without stones. Simply soak them overnight in a salt solution, rinse under running water, and dry thoroughly. To prepare the solution, dissolve 3 tablespoons of salt in a glass of boiling water.
Gold jewelry may also include gemstones. In this case, pay attention to the hardness of the stones. Remember that emeralds, sapphires, and rubies should not be cleaned at home—it’s safer to have them cleaned by a jeweler.
For jewelry with hard stones, you can wipe them with a solution of ammonia diluted with warm water in a 1:4 ratio. The piece can also be soaked in the solution for 15–20 minutes, but not longer, as some stones may become cloudy when exposed to water.
Another method is washing jewelry with mild dish soap or liquid soap, using a soft toothbrush. Always dry and polish with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Jewelry with softer stones should not be cleaned with vinegar or ammonia, as the stones may be secured with glue. Hot water should also be avoided, as it may damage the adhesive. Instead, clean such pieces with a mild soapy solution and polish with a soft, non-fuzzy cloth.
Cleaning Silver Jewelry at Home
Silver pieces often tarnish, so they require cleaning even more frequently. A simple method is wiping them with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol.
Another option is soaking silver in a glass of warm water with one spoonful of ammonia. Afterward, dry thoroughly and polish with suede to restore shine.
Can You Clean Jewelry with Pearls and Enamel?
Jewelry may be adorned not only with gemstones but also with pearls. Pearls are very sensitive to detergents, vinegar, ammonia, and cosmetics, so they should only be cleaned with baby soap whipped into a foam. To do this:
- Dip a soft cloth into the foam solution.
- Gently wipe each pearl.
- Polish the piece with a clean, dry cloth.
Pearl-only jewelry should always be dried horizontally to avoid stretching the threads.
Enamel is less delicate than pearls since it’s essentially a thin layer of glass. It can be cleaned with ammonia diluted in water. Add a few drops of ammonia to 100 ml of cool water, wipe the jewelry with the solution, then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
Do not use hot water or harsh chemicals to clean enamel jewelry.
Other Materials in Jewelry and How to Clean Them
Some jewelry designs may include leather or rubber elements. These should never be cleaned with alcohol or household chemicals. They also should not be washed or soaked. Instead, gently wipe them with a suede cloth and protect them from direct sunlight.
When Professional Cleaning Is Recommended
Home cleaning is possible and often effective. However, you need to consider all the details and have the right supplies on hand.
Remember that each metal, stone, or inlay requires its own care method. That’s why it’s best to visit a jeweler at least once a year. A professional can check the security of the stones, as well as clean and polish your jewelry properly.