Resources: Caring for your Jewellery, Metals, Gems, Pearls & Diamonds

Caring for your Jewellery

In order to preserve the beauty, luster and brilliance of your fine jewellery, we recommend these Good Practices for Gems and Jewellery:

Your gemstone jewellery should be the last thing you put on when getting dressed and the first thing you take off at the end of the day.

Store your jewellery carefully in individual soft cloth pouches so the gems do not touch each other or parts of other jewellery. Some gemstones are harder than gold, silver, or platinum and can scratch the surface of other fine jewellery if they are not kept separate.

Be aware of where you leave your cherished pieces and avoid misplacing them, by faithfully returning them to their storing place.

Apply makeup, beauty creams, hairspray and perfume before you put on jewellery to prevent chemical substances from being sprayed on them. Pearls and other gems of organic origin, such as amber and coral, as well as softer

materials like opals, turquoise, rhodochrosite and malachite are sensitive to the acids in health and beauty products. The stronger acids even manage to corrode peridot or lapis lazuli.

Take your jewellery off while showering or cleaning, to prevent it from developing a soapy film that absorbs the light and the shine; a clean diamond is always more brilliant, lustrous and fiery.

Remove your jewellery before handling chlorine bleach, ammonia and other harsh household chemicals, as these will dull and erode your gemstones. Also, make sure to take off your jewellery before going to the beach, as salt water will also cause damage.

Abrasive surfaces, and sharp blows can damage even the toughest gem; diamonds can easily chip. Avoid wearing your precious stone when doing rough work.

All metal can be brightened up with a small amount of rubbing – however never rub gold, silver, or platinum with anything other than a piece of felt or polishing cloth. Most silver can be stored in airtight bags with a small strip of anti oxidant.

After removing your gemstone and jewellery, wipe it with a soft cloth to remove dirt and other residues.

Alternatively, you can wash your gemstones and jewellery in mild soapy lukewarm water, mild dishwashing liquid or a cleaner specifically designed for jewellery. This will remove perfume, hair spray and other cosmetics. Let it soak for about 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

For diamonds only: add one part ammonia to six parts of the lukewarm soapy water and gently scrub with a soft brush to loosen the dirt. Be careful not to scratch the metal of your setting.

Avoid cleaning cultured pearls with chemicals or abrasives.

Beware! Home ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended for all coloured gemstones. Rubies and sapphires are typically safe to clean in an ultrasonic cleaner but other gemstones are not. Because of their porous composition, opals should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. Similarly, emeralds should always be cleaned by hand.

Once a year, it is a good idea to have your diamonds, gemstones and other fine jewellery professionally cleaned and checked. Have settings inspected for security and regularly restring pearls because with use, the thread naturally stretches and weakens.