Jewelry is one of our most intimate and cherished accessories. Understanding how to care for and protect your treasured jewelry can make a world of difference in maintaining its beauty and keeping your heirlooms sparkling for generations to come.

 

Avoid excessive exposure to light and heat. Fine jewelry should be removed before diving into a chlorinated swimming pool or before using household cleaners. If you own an ultrasonic cleaner do not use on: pearls, coral, ivory, amber, gems coats the plastic or wax, heat treated stones, or gemstones susceptible to heat or temperature changes such as tanzanite, feldspar (sunstone and moonstone), fluorite, iolite, kunzite, lapis lazuli, malachite, opal, topaz, turquoise. Do not use harsh chemicals as can be found in TarnX on: pearls, abalone, mother of pearl, shell, brass, antiqued metals, any jewel where gems have been glued, pearls. Pearls and opals draw moisture from the air, so storing your opal or pearl jewelry in a very dry area, such as a safe deposit box, can sometimes do more harm.

 

Most colored gems can be cleaned with warm water, mild dish soap (no detergents) and a soft brush or toothbrush. A pulsed-water dental cleaning appliance and a soft, lint-free cloth can also be used. Natural cleaners are also safe. Be sure to rinse your jewelry in a glass of water to remove cleaning solutions since you risk losing loose stones – or even an entire piece of jewelry - if you rinse directly in the sink. Soft gems, such as pearls, on the other hand, can easily scratch. Use a new, clean makeup brush and warm, soapy water to softly clean them. 

 

Proper jewelry storage is often overlooked. Jewelry should never be tossed into a drawer or on top of a dresser − that’s asking for scratches and damaged gems. It is best to store jewelry pieces in the box they come in or Jewelry boxes that feature individually padded slots or posts for hanging necklaces and bracelets are also ideal. Sterling silver should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth. 

When traveling, protect your jewelry pieces from scratches or other impact damage by padding it in a separate box or case.