10 Ways To Keep Your Jewellery In Tip Top Shape

1. Keep it clean!

When did you last clean your jewellery? No, showering in it does not count. In fact, showering/bathing/washing your hands does not clean your jewellery as you would think. Soap builds up, which attracts more gunk by giving it more to cling to.

When I first started repairing jewellery, I was constantly horrified, ahem…amazed, at the filthiness of some jewellery. Seriously, the filthy state of people’s jewellery is well known in our industry, just ask any jeweller, they’ve all got their ‘best of’ filth stories.

What’s the easiest, cheapest, most effective method at home for cleaning your precious metal jewellery? (ie. not costume jewellery, that is a whole other category) Put some warm water and a dose of dish washing liquid in a bowl. Soak the jewels for about 15mins to loosen the grime. Then take an old toothbrush and give it a gentle scrub, particularly around detailed areas and underneath gem settings. Leave to dry on a towel and finish with a soft polishing cloth if you have one.

Types of jewels to avoid for this method: Pearls - just give them a wipe with a soft cloth. Anything with stones glued in - just don’t soak it, but rinsing in water and soap should be fine. Anything that you know can’t get wet - obviously. If in any doubt at all, or if your piece is particularly antique or fragile, check with a jeweller first.

For a few more tips on cleaning, here’s some more from my FAQ’s.

2. Take it off when you’re at home

I know , I know, you love your jewellery and you never, ever want to take it off. But seriously, if this is a ‘forever piece’ give it a chance and increase its life expectancy by giving it a break. At home is a perfect time for this. Just make sure you create the special spot for it, and then always use that special spot so you never forget where it is. And if you have kids, maybe that special spot is either your little secret, or really, really high up.

3. Understand that it’s not indestructible

Jewellery is NOT indestructible. Period.

4. Ask your jeweller how to care for it

Sometimes jewels will need repair. Sometimes life happens and something breaks, falls out, or gets run over by a car (yes, this is more common than you think). Sometimes you just want reassurance that everything is a-ok.

Take it to a jeweller. Preferably one which actually has a jeweller working there (look for a workshop on site, or a person with very dirty looking hands who whips out a little magnifying glass like someone out of the wild west). Have a big diamond and scared that this sharp shooter is going to swap it out? Trust me, your jewellers reputation is worth much more than your diamond.

Oh, and be prepared to pay for any work done. Would you take your car to a mechanic and ask for a free service? No you would not.

5. Treat it like a good friend

Don’t expect your jewellery to last years or go the distance with you if you treat it like sh*t. I refer to point number 3.

6. Keep your chains clasped together when you’re not wearing them

Ooh, this one’s a good one! Tangled chains? (I secretly LOVE it when they tangle, I totally get a kick out of untangling that mess. But I realise not everyone is as weird as me.)

So, firstly, keep the clasped closed when storing them, this really does help. If possible, don’t just chuck them all together, try to keep them separately stored. If you’re taking a few on holidays with you, get a piece of cloth/handkerchief/napkin and roll them up one by one, so that there is a piece of fabric between each chain.

7. Keep it away from lotions and potions

If you’re applying moisturisers or creams, take your rings off first. That stuff just builds up under the stones and then if you never actually clean them you’ll become one of those ‘best of’ jeweller stories I mentioned.

Try not to spray perfumes or hairspray directly onto your necklaces/bracelets - and certainly not your pearls! Your pearls love you for you, and the natural oils in your skin do wonders for the lustre of a pearl.

8. If it’s a ring and it’s catching on clothing, or feeling a bit rattly, there’s probably a reason for that

Catchiness on a stone setting can indicate that there may be a lifted claw, or a section of the setting has broken off, or something is just not quite right. Take it to a jeweller for checking. It might need repair. But at least you might not lose your stone.

A rattly feeling or sound can indicate a loose stone. Again, it may likely need repair. Stones come loose more often than you may think. Especially on everyday pieces.

Again, I refer to point number 3.

9. Buy less of it

Yeah, I said it!

Save up, preferably the old fashioned way, with real money. Take more time looking for the right thing, tell the universe what you’re looking for, be specific. Don’t settle for “that’ll do”, if you can’t find what you want, get what you want custom made!

A piece that is loved and cherished and considered will be well cared for, and for much longer.

10. Buy the best you can afford

Hand made is hands down the best. No arguments. And by hand made, let’s be specific: it is constructed from start to finish by hands.

It is different to “hand finished” (usually refers to cast pieces which are hand polished and have some stones set in the pre-made settings).

It is also more expensive than other pieces made by casting/CAD processes.

Disclaimer: There is a certainly a place for these processes, don’t get me wrong. I am not starting a CAD Vs Handmade debate (the hottest topic at the jewellers water cooler)

But I will say it loud and proud - if you are investing in something you want to last, and you want to wear it regularly, you will have the best possible chance of getting that in a hand made piece. Why? Quite literally, the forging process that metal goes through in the hand made process makes it stronger than its cast equivalent. That’s the science-y stuff.

But here’s the woo-woo spin: the effort and consideration that goes into hand made, that is where the gold is - or the platinum. From the jeweller, there is the love and labour. From the wearer, there is the appreciation and gratitude. From the jewel itself, there is the hope that it will be cared for as it deserves to be.

So, Happy International Caring For Your Jewels Day!

Just kidding. That’s not a real day. But maybe it should be?

Originally Posted March 17, 2020