Guidebook: Jewelry Care

Fine jewelry is built to last, but it does need care. By following these easy guidelines, you can help ensure that your jewelry lasts for generations looking like new.

Diamonds

Diamonds are the hardest substance known, but diamonds are surprisingly susceptible to scratches and chips. Here’s how to keep them safe from damage.

• Store diamond jewelry seperately in individual jewelry boxes, cloth pouches or fabric-lined jewelry boxes with separate dividers and compartments. Diamonds can become scratched if not stored properly of if they come into contact with other Jewelry.
• Make sure your skin is free of lotions, soaps, powders and hairspray before putting on diamond Jewelry. These can dull the sparkle of diamonds and over time build up on diamonds as a film.
• Don't wear diamond jewelry while participating in strenuous activities. Diamonds can chip on hard impact and jewelry can be damaged.
• Don't let your diamond jewelry come into contact with harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bleach. Repeated exposure to even small amounts of these chemicals can cause gold to become brittle and lead to breaks and damaged prongs. Remove diamond jewelry before entering pools and hot tubs.
• Clean diamond jewelry with a mild solution of 1 part ammonia, or an ammonia-based cleanser, to 4 parts water. Let it soak for 10 minutes and then scrub gently with a soft new toothbrush used only for this purpose. Rinse under warm tap water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. DON'T use toothpaste. Contrary to popular beliefs, toothpaste is not an effective jewelry cleaning. The abrasives found in toothpaste will dull the gold or other metal in your settings.
• Have your diamond jewelry professionally inspected at least once a year. This inspection should check loose stones, bent prongs, or signs of wear. Have it professionally cleaned at the same time. At Rochester Lapidary Jewelers, cleaning is free.

Gold

Gold comes in different styles, colors and karat weights, but the care and cleaning procedure remains the same.

• Remove gold jewelry before showering or cleaning, since soap forms a film on gold that dulls its luster.
• Remove gold jewelry before entering a hot tub or pool. Chlorine can permanently discolor gold.
• To clean gold jewelry at home, use any of the many commercial cleaners available and a soft lint-free or chamois cloth to pat dry.
• Ask us about cleaning gold jewelry that contains colored gemstones. In some cases an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate, however, some gemstones can be damaged by ultrasonic cleaning.

Platinum

Platinum is one of the most durable precious metals and is resistant to discoloration from chlorine and other chemicals. But even platinum can become scratched or damage. So store platinum jewelry seperately and don't let it come into contact with other pieces. You can clean platinum at home with jewelry cleaners designed for platinum, but if your platinum Jewelry contains gold, diamonds or gemstones, special care must be taken to ensure they aren’t damaged during cleaning. Ask us about the best way to clean such jewelry and bring your platinum jewelry in for our free professional cleaning. We recommend you clean platinum jewelry every six months.

Gemstones

Different gemstones have different care and cleaning requirements. In most cases warm soapy water and a soft brush or lint free cloth are safe. Some gemstones can be damaged by mechanical cleaners, steamers and ultrasonic cleaners, especially gemstones that have lot of inclusions. Ask us about the best way to care for your gemstones jewelry and stop in frequently for a free professional cleaning.