Fine jewellery is made to be enjoyed, but even the strongest precious metals and gemstones benefit from thoughtful care. Everyday wear exposes jewellery to knocks, scratches, cosmetics, household products and the natural oils of the skin. Over time, these can dull its appearance or weaken delicate settings.
Looking after jewellery does not need to be complicated. A few sensible habits, gentle cleaning and occasional professional attention can help rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces remain beautiful for many years. The correct care, however, depends on the materials and construction of each piece.
Why does jewellery lose its sparkle?
Diamonds and gemstones do not usually become permanently dull through ordinary wear. Instead, a film of hand cream, soap, cosmetics and natural oils collects on their surfaces and beneath their settings. This prevents light from entering and leaving the stone freely, reducing its brilliance.
Precious metals also change with use. Fine scratches gradually develop on polished surfaces, while textured finishes can become smoother in frequently touched areas. White gold may begin to reveal the slightly warmer colour beneath its rhodium plating.
These changes are normal signs of wear rather than evidence of poor quality. Regular cleaning can restore much of a piece’s brightness, while professional polishing or refinishing may improve the metal when required.
When should jewellery be removed?
Jewellery worn every day can easily be forgotten, but there are occasions when removing it is the safest choice. Rings and bracelets should be taken off before gardening, decorating, exercising, lifting heavy objects or carrying out manual work. Pressure against a hard surface can distort a ring or damage the claws holding its stones.
It is also sensible to remove jewellery before swimming. Chlorine and other pool chemicals may affect certain metals, while cold water can cause fingers to contract and make rings easier to lose. Seawater leaves salt deposits, and jewellery dropped into the sea can be extremely difficult to recover.
Jewellery should not be worn in the shower or bath. Soap and hair products leave residue around settings, while chains can catch during washing. Removing jewellery before bed also helps protect fine chains, earrings and stone settings from unnecessary strain.
Protecting jewellery from cosmetics and chemicals
Perfume, hairspray, moisturiser, make-up and sunscreen can all settle on jewellery. As a simple rule, jewellery should be the last thing put on when getting ready and the first thing removed afterwards.
Allow creams and fragrances to dry before wearing jewellery. Pearls and other porous materials are particularly sensitive to cosmetics, so avoiding direct contact is important.
Household cleaning products, bleach and strong chemicals should never be allowed to come into contact with fine jewellery. They may discolour or damage metals and can permanently affect some gemstones. Wearing gloves does not always provide sufficient protection because a ring may still be compressed beneath the glove.
Cleaning diamond jewellery at home
Both lab-created and earth-formed diamonds have the same essential physical properties and can generally be cleaned in the same way. For uncomplicated diamond jewellery, use a small bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid.
Allow the piece to soak briefly, then clean it gently with a very soft toothbrush reserved for jewellery. Pay particular attention to the back and underside of the diamond, where oils and residue tend to collect. Rinse carefully in a separate bowl of clean water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Do not rinse valuable jewellery over an open plughole. Avoid using boiling water, abrasive cleaners, toothpaste or household brushes. Toothpaste is often recommended as a home remedy, but its abrasive ingredients can scratch precious metals and damage polished finishes.
Caring for gold and platinum
Gold and platinum jewellery can usually be cleaned with mild soapy water when it does not contain a gemstone requiring specialist treatment. Use a soft cloth or brush and avoid aggressive scrubbing.
Polished metal will naturally acquire fine scratches. Gold can be professionally repolished, while white gold may occasionally need to be rhodium plated again to restore its bright white finish.
Platinum develops a soft surface patina as it is worn. Some people appreciate this gentle change in appearance, while others prefer a highly polished finish. A jeweller can restore the surface, although repeated polishing should not be undertaken more often than necessary because it removes a very small amount of metal.
Caring for coloured gemstones
Coloured gemstones vary considerably in hardness, structure and sensitivity. A cleaning method suitable for one stone may permanently damage another.
Sapphires and rubies are relatively durable, but inclusions, treatments and the construction of the jewellery must still be considered. Emeralds are commonly treated with oils and should not be exposed to heat, harsh detergents or ultrasonic cleaning. Opals may be affected by sudden temperature changes and prolonged dryness, while turquoise can absorb cosmetics and cleaning products.
When the identity or treatment of a gemstone is uncertain, use only a soft, slightly damp cloth and seek professional advice. It is safer to clean cautiously than to assume every transparent stone can be treated like a diamond.
Special care for pearls
Pearls are much softer and more delicate than most gemstones. Their lustrous outer surface can be affected by perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, perspiration and acidic substances.
After wearing pearls, wipe them gently with a soft, damp cloth before putting them away. Never soak a pearl necklace, as water can weaken or stretch the thread. Pearls should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic machine, steam or jewellery dips.
Store pearl jewellery separately from harder pieces that could scratch it. A frequently worn necklace may also need to be professionally restrung periodically, ideally with knots between the pearls to reduce movement and limit loss if the thread breaks.
Should you use an ultrasonic cleaner?
Ultrasonic machines use vibrations in liquid to remove dirt from difficult-to-reach areas. They can clean some robust diamond jewellery effectively, but they are not suitable for every piece.
The vibrations can loosen stones in worn settings and may damage fragile, porous, treated or heavily included gemstones. Pearls, emeralds, opals, turquoise and many other materials should not be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner without specialist confirmation.
Even diamond jewellery should be checked before ultrasonic cleaning. A professional jeweller can identify weak claws, loose stones or features that make a different cleaning method advisable.
Storing jewellery safely
Jewellery should be stored clean, dry and away from direct sunlight or excessive humidity. A lined jewellery box with separate compartments is ideal because it prevents pieces from rubbing against one another.
Diamonds are extremely hard and can scratch other gemstones and precious metals. Keep diamond jewellery separate, and avoid placing chains together where they may become tangled. Fastening necklaces and bracelets before storage can help them retain their shape.
Do not store fine jewellery loose in a handbag, bathroom drawer or beside household products. When travelling, use a secure jewellery roll or case that keeps each piece in place.
Looking after rings worn together
An engagement ring and wedding ring may rub against each other throughout the day. If their profiles or settings are not compatible, one ring can gradually wear the other.
Check whether exposed diamond edges, claws or decorative surfaces are making contact. A shaped wedding ring or a small adjustment may allow the rings to sit more comfortably together.
Both rings should also fit securely. Jewellery that is too loose can rotate, knock against surfaces or be lost, while a ring that is excessively tight can be uncomfortable and difficult to remove.
Checking settings and clasps
Examine frequently worn jewellery regularly in good light. Look for bent or worn claws, moving stones, damaged links and clasps that no longer close firmly. If a stone feels loose or makes a faint clicking sound, stop wearing the piece and have it inspected.
Avoid testing claws by pulling at them with a fingernail or sharp object, as this can make an existing weakness worse. A professional examination is safer and can reveal wear that is not visible without magnification.
Chains and bracelets should receive similar attention. Worn links, hinges and connecting rings are often repairable if detected before they break completely.
Professional cleaning and maintenance
Jewellery worn every day should be professionally inspected periodically. The appropriate frequency depends on the design, its condition and the wearer’s lifestyle, but engagement rings and other regularly worn stone-set pieces benefit from particularly close attention.
A jeweller can check the settings, clean areas that are difficult to reach and advise whether polishing, rhodium plating or repair is necessary. Professional maintenance is also an opportunity to confirm that clasps, catches and joints remain secure.
Jewellery should always be examined before it is polished or deep cleaned. Restoring shine is worthwhile, but protecting the structure and security of the piece is more important than removing every sign of wear.
Keeping jewellery beautiful for longer
The most effective jewellery care comes from small, consistent habits. Remove pieces before activities that may damage them, keep them away from chemicals, clean them using methods appropriate to their materials and store them separately.
Fine scratches and subtle changes in finish are a natural part of wearing jewellery. They often become part of a piece’s character and the history attached to it. The aim of good care is not to prevent every mark, but to protect the jewellery from avoidable damage and preserve its beauty.
With gentle home care and professional attention when needed, well-made jewellery can continue to be worn, enjoyed and passed on for generations.