How to Keep Your Pieces Sparkling for Years

Jewelry is more than just a decoration—it's an investment in your personal style, memories, and milestones. Whether it's a precious family heirloom, a gift for a special occasion, or a personal piece that holds meaning, taking care of your jewelry ensures that it lasts for generations to come. At Extravagant Jewels, we believe that proper care can help maintain your pieces' beauty and sparkle for years. In this ultimate guide, we’ll share essential tips and tricks for cleaning, storing, and maintaining your jewelry to keep it looking as dazzling as the day you bought it.

1. Clean Your Jewelry Regularly

The first step in maintaining your jewelry is keeping it clean. Dirt, oils, lotions, and even exposure to air can dull the surface of your precious pieces. Regular cleaning ensures that your jewelry retains its sparkle.

For gold and silver jewelry: Use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth to gently wipe down your pieces after every use. For a deeper clean, mix a solution of mild soap and warm water. Soak your jewelry for a few minutes, then use a soft brush (a toothbrush works well) to gently scrub it. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
For diamonds and gemstones: Clean diamonds and gemstones with a mixture of warm water and a drop of mild dish soap. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt from the stone and prongs. Avoid using harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners for stones like emeralds, opals, or pearls, as they can be sensitive to high temperatures and harsh solutions.
Tip: Never use abrasive materials (like paper towels or rough cloths) to clean your jewelry, as they can scratch the metal or stones.

2. Store Jewelry Properly

Proper storage is key to preventing damage, tarnishing, and tangling. Storing your jewelry in a safe, dry place helps keep it in top condition.

Store each piece separately: When possible, store your jewelry in individual pouches or compartments to prevent it from scratching or tangling. Use soft-lined jewelry boxes with dividers for this purpose.
Avoid direct sunlight: Store your jewelry away from direct sunlight to prevent fading, especially for gemstones and metals that may be sensitive to UV rays, such as gold, silver, and gemstones like amethyst and citrine.
Use anti-tarnish pouches: If you have silver jewelry, consider using anti-tarnish pouches or cloths to help prevent oxidation and tarnishing. These materials absorb moisture and reduce exposure to the elements that cause tarnish.
Tip: If you have multiple pieces of jewelry that tend to tangle, consider using jewelry organizers, such as hanging organizers or divided trays, to keep everything neat and tangle-free.

3. Remove Jewelry When Doing Physical Activities

While jewelry is meant to be worn and admired, it’s important to remove it before engaging in physical activities or exposing it to harsh chemicals. Physical activities like exercising, swimming, or cleaning can expose your jewelry to sweat, lotions, chlorine, or abrasive surfaces—none of which are good for the longevity of your pieces.

Swimming and exercising: Always remove your jewelry before swimming in pools or the ocean. Chlorine and saltwater can damage and tarnish metals like silver and gold. Sweat can also cause metals to tarnish over time, especially in pieces that are worn close to the skin, like rings and bracelets.
Cleaning and household chores: When cleaning, gardening, or using household chemicals, take off your jewelry to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and cleaning agents. These can erode metal surfaces and affect gemstones.
Tip: Consider keeping a small jewelry dish or tray near your bathroom or entryway where you can place your pieces before showering, working out, or doing housework.

4. Avoid Contact with Harsh Chemicals

Chemicals are one of the most significant threats to jewelry. Many household products, like perfumes, hairsprays, cleaning agents, and even lotions, can leave residues that dull the shine of metals and gemstones. Certain chemicals can even cause irreversible damage, like discoloration, corrosion, or scratching.

Perfumes and sprays: Always apply perfumes, hairsprays, and body lotions before wearing jewelry. The chemicals in these products can dull and erode the surface of metals, gemstones, and diamonds over time.
Cosmetics: Cosmetics like foundation, mascara, and sunscreen can also leave residues on jewelry. It’s best to put your jewelry on last, after applying your makeup.
Tip: When wearing jewelry, always be mindful of where you’re applying lotions, sprays, and oils. This way, you can avoid getting product buildup on your precious pieces.

5. Regularly Inspect Your Jewelry

Regular inspection of your jewelry is essential to prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems. Whether it’s loose prongs on a ring or a small crack in a gemstone, early detection can save you time and money in repairs.

Check for loose stones: Gemstones, especially diamonds, can sometimes loosen from their settings due to everyday wear and tear. Inspect your pieces regularly to ensure that all stones are secure and that the prongs are not bent or worn down.
Check for damage to chains: Chains can become thin or damaged over time. Check for kinks, bends, or signs of stress. If you notice any issues, take your piece to a jeweler for a professional repair.
Tip: If your jewelry is frequently exposed to rough conditions, such as heavy use or high-impact activities, consider having it professionally cleaned and inspected once a year.

6. Know When to Get Your Jewelry Professionally Cleaned and Maintained

While regular cleaning and inspection can help maintain your jewelry, professional care is also essential for ensuring long-term quality. A jeweler can offer services like polishing, prong tightening, stone resetting, and deep cleaning that you may not be able to do at home.

Annual professional cleaning: Many jewelers recommend having your jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year. This helps remove any buildup that might be hard to get rid of at home and ensures that all pieces are secure and in top condition.
Polishing and refurbishing: Over time, jewelry can lose its shine or become scratched. A professional jeweler can polish and refurbish your pieces to restore their original luster.
Tip: When in doubt, always seek professional advice. Your jeweler can guide you on the best care practices based on the materials and gemstones in your pieces.

Conclusion

Taking proper care of your jewelry is crucial to ensuring it remains as beautiful as the day you bought it. By cleaning your pieces regularly, storing them properly, avoiding harsh chemicals, and inspecting them for damage, you can extend the life of your jewelry and keep it sparkling for years to come. At Extravagant Jewels, we’re passionate about helping you care for your precious pieces, so they continue to shine bright for generations.

Need help maintaining your jewelry? Reach out to us for professional cleaning and maintenance services, or explore our collection of beautiful, high-quality jewelry that’s made to last.