The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Jewellery

Jewellery is more than just an accessory—for many it holds great sentimental value and can be a significant investment. Proper care ensures your favourite pieces remain as stunning as the day you got them. Here’s your comprehensive guide to storing, cleaning, and preserving jewellery, plus tips on what to avoid to keep your treasures sparkling for years to come.

Storing Your Jewellery

Proper storage of jewellery is crucial for preventing scratches, tarnishing, and tangling of valuable items. Here’s how to do it right:

  • Separate Pieces: Store each piece separately to avoid scratches and tangles. Use soft cloth pouches, velvet-lined boxes, or individual compartments.
  • Avoid Humidity: Moisture can cause tarnishing, especially on silver. Use silica gel packets in your jewellery box to absorb excess moisture.
  • Hang Necklaces: Prevent tangling by hanging necklaces on a jewellery stand or hooks.
  • Soft Surfaces: For delicate items like pearls, store them in soft-lined containers to prevent damage.

Cleaning Your Jewellery

Regular cleaning is essential to maintain the shine and brilliance of your pieces. Here’s how to clean different types of jewellery:

  • Gold and Platinum: Soak in warm water with a mild soap solution, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth.
  • Silver: Use a silver polish or a specialised cleaning cloth. For tarnished pieces, try a baking soda and water paste.
  • Gemstones: Clean with a soft damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, as they can dull or damage certain stones.
  • Pearls: Wipe gently with a damp cloth after wearing, as pearls are porous and can absorb oils. Avoid submerging in water.
  • What to Avoid: Never use abrasive materials, bleach, or harsh chemicals on your jewellery.

Consider Professional Cleaning

Having your jewellery professionally cleaned is an excellent way to restore its original brilliance and ensure its longevity. Professional jewellers use specialised equipment, such as ultrasonic cleaners and steam machines, to remove dirt, oils, and tarnish that can’t be addressed with at-home methods. They also inspect your jewellery for loose stones, worn prongs, or other signs of damage, providing an opportunity to make necessary repairs before they become more serious. This process is especially important for intricate pieces, antique jewellery, and delicate materials like pearls and opals, which require expert handling. Scheduling a professional cleaning every six months to a year not only enhances your jewellery’s appearance but also helps preserve its value over time.

Travelling with Jewellery

Travelling with jewellery can be stressful, but with a little planning, you can keep your pieces safe and organised:

  • Travel Cases: Invest in a compact jewellery travel case with separate compartments to keep items secure.
  • Leave Valuables Behind: Consider leaving your most precious pieces at home to avoid the risk of loss or theft.
  • Carry-On Luggage: Always pack jewellery in your carry-on to prevent damage or loss during transit.
  • Insurance: If you’re travelling with expensive pieces, ensure they are insured for peace of mind.

Jewellery Valuations

Jewellery valuations for insurance purposes are essential to ensure your precious pieces are adequately covered in case of loss, theft, or damage. A professional appraiser will assess the value of your jewellery based on factors like material, craftsmanship, brand, and market trends. This valuation provides a detailed report that includes photographs and descriptions, which your insurance company can use to establish coverage. It’s recommended to update valuations every two to three years, as market values can fluctuate, ensuring your policy reflects the current worth of your pieces.

Preserving Jewellery

To maintain the longevity of your jewellery, it’s important to take preventive steps:

  • Wear It Right: Put jewellery on last when getting ready, after applying lotions, perfumes, or hair products. These substances can damage metals and stones.
  • Remove for Activities: Take off jewellery before swimming, exercising, or doing household chores to avoid scratches or exposure to chemicals.
  • Regular Inspections: Check settings, clasps, and stones regularly to ensure they’re secure. Have any loose components repaired by a professional jeweller.

What Not to Do with Jewellery

To keep your jewellery in pristine condition, avoid certain habits that can lead to unnecessary damage. One common mistake is sleeping with it on. This can cause chains to tangle or delicate pieces to bend and break under pressure. Rings and earrings are also at risk of being snagged on bedding, leading to potential damage or loss. Always take off your jewellery before going to bed to keep it safe.

Another pitfall to avoid is wearing your precious items while showering. Soap, shampoo, and other products can leave a residue on your pieces, dulling their shine and making them harder to clean. Similarly, using harsh household cleaners on or near your jewellery can corrode metals and damage gemstones, especially softer stones like opals or pearls. Lastly, improper storage—such as tossing everything into a single drawer—can result in scratches, tangles, and broken clasps. Store each piece separately in soft-lined compartments or pouches to protect your collection from unnecessary wear and tear.

Conclusion

Caring for your jewellery is an investment in its longevity and beauty. By following these tips for storing, cleaning, travelling with, and preserving your pieces, you’ll ensure they remain in excellent condition for years to come. Treat your jewellery with the care it deserves, and it will continue to dazzle and delight, every time you wear it.

At The Goldmarket, we offer a professional jewellery cleaning service carried out by our in-house jeweller. We have all the equipment required to carry out cleaning and repairs. In addition to this, we also offer a comprehensive jewellery valuation service. Simply ask in-store for more details.