Fine jewelry is made to be worn, but a little care goes a long way in keeping it looking beautiful.
Over time, everyday products like lotion, sunscreen, soap, and natural oils can build up on jewelry and make stones look dull. In many cases, your piece simply needs a gentle cleaning.
Cleaning jewelry at home
For most diamond jewelry, keep it simple.
Use warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap and a very soft toothbrush.
Gently clean around and underneath the stones where buildup tends to collect, then rinse carefully and dry with a soft, lint free cloth.
Avoid cleaning jewelry directly over an open sink drain.
What to avoid
Avoid bleach, chlorine, toothpaste, abrasive cleaners, and harsh household chemicals.
These can damage or wear certain metals and finishes over time.
At home ultrasonic and steam cleaners should also be used with caution. Even when a gemstone itself can tolerate the cleaning method, vibration or heat may affect certain treatments or loosen stones in their settings.
What if your piece has a gemstone?
Different gemstones can require very different care.
Some stones may be sensitive to heat, chemicals, ultrasonic cleaning, or even certain soaps, especially if the gemstone has been treated.
If your piece contains a colored gemstone, pearl, opal, emerald, or another material you are unsure about, it is worth checking the proper care instructions for that specific stone or asking a jeweler before cleaning it.
When in doubt, keep the cleaning gentle.
Everyday jewelry care
A few simple habits can help protect your jewelry.
Take pieces off before heavy workouts, swimming, household cleaning, or activities where they may be knocked or scratched.
Try to put jewelry on after lotions, sunscreen, perfume, and hairspray whenever possible.
Store pieces separately in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box rather than allowing them to sit loose together.
Diamonds are extremely hard, but they can still chip from a strong impact and can scratch other jewelry, including other diamonds.
Check your jewelry occasionally
Take a quick look at pieces you wear often.
If a stone moves, a prong looks bent, a clasp is not closing properly, or the piece begins catching on clothing, stop wearing it until a jeweler can inspect it.
Settings experience normal wear over time, especially on jewelry worn every day.
When your jewelry needs more than a cleaning
Sometimes an older piece simply needs a refresh.
If your jewelry has become very dull, scratched, or worn after years of use, ask your jeweler whether professional cleaning and polishing would help bring the finish back.
White gold jewelry may also benefit from rhodium plating from time to time. Rhodium is commonly used to give white gold its bright white finish, and that surface layer can gradually wear with normal use.
Not every piece needs the same treatment, so a jeweler can advise whether polishing, rhodium plating, repair, or simply a professional cleaning makes the most sense.
The simplest rule
Keep everyday cleaning gentle and do not experiment with strong chemicals or aggressive cleaning methods if you are unsure what your jewelry can tolerate.
When a piece contains an unfamiliar gemstone, has an older or delicate setting, or simply needs more attention than a basic cleaning, have it checked by a jeweler before doing anything further.
A little maintenance can keep fine jewelry looking beautiful for years.