loading="lazy">
Jewelry Care Guide
How to Care for Your Fine Jewelry at Home
Fine jewelry is made to be worn, loved, and passed down. With the right care at home, your favorite pieces can maintain their beauty and brilliance for years to come.
From everyday diamond jewelry to gold pieces and meaningful heirlooms, a few simple habits can help protect your jewelry from unnecessary wear, scratches, and damage.
Give Your Jewelry a Little Extra Care
Jewelry comes into contact with more than you may realize throughout the day. Lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, household products, moisture, and everyday activity can all affect the appearance of your pieces over time.
As a general rule, jewelry should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off.
Apply skincare, perfume, hairspray, and cosmetics before putting on your jewelry. When you're finished for the day, remove your jewelry before changing clothes, showering, or going to bed.
Know When to Take Your Jewelry Off
Some activities are harder on fine jewelry than others. Consider removing your jewelry before:
- Swimming in pools or the ocean
- Showering or bathing
- Exercising or playing sports
- Gardening or doing household work
- Handling cleaning chemicals
- Applying lotions, creams, or beauty products
- Sleeping
Chlorine, saltwater, chemicals, and repeated impact can affect both precious metals and gemstones. Removing your jewelry before these activities is one of the simplest ways to protect it.
Not sure if a piece needs attention?
Stop by for a quick, no-pressure inspection — we're happy to take a look.
How to Clean Jewelry at Home
For many durable jewelry pieces, gentle cleaning at home can help restore some of their everyday sparkle.
Start with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap. Gently clean the piece with a very soft brush, paying attention to areas where oils and debris can collect. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
However, not every gemstone should be cleaned the same way.
Porous, delicate, treated, or softer gemstones may require specialized care. When you're unsure how a piece should be cleaned, it's best to have it professionally evaluated rather than experimenting with household cleaners.
Never use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or unknown jewelry-cleaning solutions on a valuable piece without confirming that they are appropriate for the metal and gemstones.
Store Jewelry Separately
Proper storage can help prevent scratches, tangling, and unnecessary wear.
Whenever possible, keep jewelry in a soft-lined jewelry box or individual pouch. Store necklaces separately and fasten clasps before putting them away to help prevent chains from becoming tangled.
Diamond jewelry should also be stored carefully so that harder gemstones don't scratch other pieces.
For especially valuable or sentimental jewelry, consider storing pieces individually in a secure, protected location.
Check Your Settings
A beautiful gemstone is only as secure as the setting holding it.
Make it a habit to periodically look over your rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces for anything that appears loose, bent, worn, or out of place.
If a stone appears to be moving, a prong looks damaged, or a clasp isn't closing properly, stop wearing the piece until it can be inspected.
Have a piece that needs a little attention?
At-home care is important, but professional cleaning and inspection can catch problems that aren't always visible to the naked eye. Visit Gabriel Fine Jewelers for professional jewelry care, cleaning, and inspection.
Jewelry Care at a Glance
Do
- Store jewelry in a soft, protected place
- Clean appropriate pieces gently
- Inspect settings regularly
- Remove jewelry before swimming and exercising
- Apply beauty products before putting jewelry on
- Have valuable pieces professionally inspected
Don't
- Use harsh household chemicals
- Wear fine jewelry while swimming or doing strenuous activities
- Store pieces loose together
- Ignore a loose stone or damaged setting
- Clean delicate gemstones without knowing the proper method
- Wear damaged jewelry until it has been inspected
Care for What You Love
Fine jewelry often carries more than monetary value. It can mark a milestone, commemorate a relationship, or become part of your family's story.
With thoughtful everyday care and professional attention when needed, you can help preserve those pieces for whatever comes next.
Questions about caring for your jewelry?
We're happy to help — call us or stop by McHenry Village any time.