Every piece of jewelry tells a story. No matter how you’ve acquired your jewelry collection, it’s special to you and is one of your most cherished treasures. While you may want to wear your jewelry all the time, it is important to remember that it’s relatively fragile and requires special jewelry care. Now, this doesn’t mean you should be afraid of wearing your jewelry for fear of damaging it. Jewelry is meant to be worn and shown off- not hidden away in a jewelry box. In order to preserve your precious heirloom for generations to come, you must take proper care of each piece in your collection. If jewelry is handled and cleaned properly, its beauty should be easy to maintain for many years to come. For those that are unsure of the proper techniques, we’ve compiled a brief explanation of at home jewelry care tips.

Jewelry Care Tips for Gemstones:

Colored gemstones- the safest and most effective way to clean almost all colored gemstones is with warm, soapy water. All you need to do is allow your jewelry to soak in the mixture for a few minutes. Then, scrub gently with a soft bristled brush. After your jewelry has been thoroughly scrubbed, rinse any excess soap away and lay the piece out to dry. Wipe down with a polishing cloth for extra shine before storing it away safely. This is the best jewelry care method for the following gemstones: amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, emerald, garnet, jade, morganite, onyx, ruby, sapphire, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, and turquoise. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for cleaning colored gemstones. If there are any fractures or inclusions (usually unnoticed by the naked eye), these types of cleaners can make them worse and potentially ruin your jewelry. Diamond- as the old saying goes, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” so you should take proper care of them! Diamonds are the most durable gemstone, but they still require special jewelry care to ensure they sparkle for a lifetime. To loosen dirt and grime, soak diamond jewelry in warm water and ammonia (if accessible). Then, scrub with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse all soap from the jewelry and lay out to dry. As with colored gemstones, wipe down with a polishing cloth for extra shine. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners can also be used to clean diamond jewelry. Opals- the only safe way to clean opals is with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. These delicate gemstones require extra care to prevent scratching or breaking. Opals have significant water content so they should never be stored in dry places. If kept in an environment with low humidity, it is possible your opal will dry out or crack. To avoid this, seal your opal jewelry in a plastic bag with a damp cloth inside. Pearls- ultrasonic and steam cleaners should never be used to clean pearls. Pearls are very soft and easily scratched. Use warm, soapy water for occasional, thorough cleaning, but do not submerge the pearls in the liquid. It is best to just use a damp cloth to wipe the pearls clean. Natural skin oils can also effect and damage pearls so it is a good idea to wipe pearls with a very soft, clean cloth after each wearing. If the pearls are strung, be sure the string is completely dry before storing away or wearing. Don’t allow makeup, hairspray, or perfume to get on your pearls.

The effects of light and heat

Regardless of the type, jewelry is somewhat delicate. Just as the sun’s powerful rays have the potential to damage our skin, light and heat can potentially harm a colored gemstone’s durability and color. Extreme heat and drastic temperature changes can also cause some gemstones to fracture. Excessive heat can cause gemstones such as amethyst and topaz to lose their vivid color over time. Conversely, other gemstones can darken over time due to excessive amounts of heat or light. Most gemstones hold in natural moisture to maintain their beauty, but exposure to heat can cause this moisture to evaporate, which eventually causes damage to the stone. If you’re planning to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, it’s best to leave your jewelry at home.

Harmful chemicals to avoid

While jewelry is meant to be worn, there are also some circumstances where it needs to be removed in order to prevent damage. As a precautionary measure, you should always remove jewelry before using household cleaning products. You should also remove jewelry before swimming whether in seawater or pool water. The chloride in the water will cause your gemstone to erode. It’s also best to apply any lotions, perfumes, or other cosmetics before putting on your jewelry. These items can clog prongs and make stones appear dull and flat. Get ready to go out – fix hair, apply makeup, dab on perfume – make sure it’s all dry and then put your jewelry on last. When you get home, take your jewelry off first – wipe it down – store it safely away.

Jewelry Care Myths

It’s easy to come across different jewelry care methods online, but you shouldn’t believe everything you read. Some suggestions are to use bleach, toothpaste, or alcohol. All three of these methods should actually be avoided since they run the risk of damaging your jewelry instead of cleaning it. Another suggestion is to use boiling water, but this is actually not safe. Boiling water can damage your gemstones, loosen stones from their settings, and cause the metal to expand. To err on the side of caution, always be sure to use warm or room temperature water. As a reminder, you should never clean your jewelry in a sink. How silly would you feel if you accidentally dropped it down the drain? Consider using a small bowl away from the sink, or if you must use a sink, make sure the drain has been plugged.

Let the Professionals at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers Clean your Jewelry

While these are a few quick ways to clean your jewelry at home, it is always best to have it cleaned regularly by a professional. This ensures your treasured pieces will be handled with the utmost care in the proper way. At Leo Hamel’s in San Diego, it’s simple to keep your jewelry shining brilliantly and appearing like new. Just visit our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue and have all of your precious jewelry cleaned and inspected while you wait. You’ll leave with a smile shining as brightly as your freshly cleaned jewelry.