Jewelry Care Instructions
For Your Rings, Pearls, Gemstones and More
Read these important instructions on how to care for your jewelry, rings, diamonds, sapphires, and gemstones to keep your items looking beautiful for a lifetime. The following are some tips to remember when caring for your ring.
Jewelry Care Instructions and Tips
How To Care for Your Engagement Ring
Caring for your engagement ring keeps it sparkling and beautiful.
Clean it regularly with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush to remove dirt and oils. Invest in a simple ultrasonic cleaner to remove the dirt and oils from the gemstone.
Cleaning Warning! If you have a natural emerald, pearls, or inlaid stones such as turquoise or black onyx, DO NOT submerge them in water or put them in the ultrasonic cleaner.
Store it in a soft pouch or jewelry box when not in use to prevent scratches. Store it separately so it will not scratch other jewelry.
Have your ring inspected and professionally cleaned by a jeweler annually to ensure the stones are secure and the setting remains in good condition.
Avoid contact with chlorine and related chemicals, which can severely discolor and damage jewelry and loosen your precious stones and settings.
Put it on after using cosmetics, hair spray, lotions and perfumes.
Remove it when working with your hands, such as performing household tasks, gardening and using abrasive particles. Activities that could damage it include exercising, washing pots and pans, rock climbing, and, believe it or not, opening huge safe doors!
How to Care for Your Wedding Ring
Caring for your wedding ring is important to keep it looking its best. Regularly clean the ring using warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush to remove dirt and oils. Avoid wearing your ring when doing activities that could damage it, such as heavy lifting or using harsh chemicals. Store the ring in a soft pouch or jewelry box when you're not wearing it to prevent scratches. Have your ring inspected and professionally cleaned by a jeweler once a year to ensure it stays in good condition and any settings are secure
How to Care for Your Diamonds
Diamonds, whether lab-created or natural, are the hardest substance on earth. That doesn't mean they can't chip, however. Natural inclusions inside your diamond can also be weak spots. Even if you can't see any inclusions, there are still natural cleavage planes within them.
That being said, chipping a diamond is a rare phenomenon.
The most important aspect of caring for your diamond is cleaning the back of it. The best way to clean it is with an ultrasonic cleaner, although you can also use warm water and a toothbrush or small paintbrush. Some useful cleaning tools on the market, such as the diamond dazzle stick, look more like paint brushes.
How to Care For Your Gemstones
All gemstones require more care than diamonds due to their hardness. Always remove your sapphire or gemstone ring when participating in an activity that could chip or abraid the top of the stone.
Cleaning your gemstone is dependent upon what kind of gem it is. Some gems, such as pearls, emeralds, and other softer gems and stones, cannot be submerged or put in an ultrasonic.
Sapphires are very tolerant and can be cleaned like diamonds.
How to Care for Your Metal
Over time, the metal of your jewelry, especially your engagement or wedding rings, will take on a normal patina of wear: small scratches, dents, and dings will appear. High-polished surfaces will appear more matte, and matte-finished surfaces will appear more highly polished. The finish on a ring is superficial. You may choose to refinish it periodically or let it age with you.
If the metal has recessed areas that can catch gunk, you can clean it with an ultrasonic or soft toothbrush and warm water.
If you want to make the metal shiny again, you can use a polishing cloth or cream. Do not use these items on soft stones (under hardness 8 on the Mohs scale).
If you want to make your metal matte again, you can carefully use scotchbrite.
Do not use paper towels on your jewelry; it can scratch precious metals.
How to Care For Your Pearl Jewelry
Caring for your pearl jewelry is essential to maintain its luster and beauty.
After each wear, gently clean your pearls with a soft, damp cloth to remove oils and dirt. Avoid exposing pearls to harsh chemicals, perfumes, and excessive heat, which can damage them.
Store pearls separately in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box to prevent scratches and damage from harder gemstones or metals. Storing beaded necklaces flat is recommended to reduce stretching.
Restring your pearls every few years, especially if you wear them often, to ensure the strand remains strong and secure.
How to Store Your Jewelry
Storing your jewelry properly helps keep it in good condition. Use a jewelry box with separate compartments to prevent pieces from scratching each other. Soft pouches or cloth bags are great for storing individual items, especially delicate pieces like pearls.
Keep your jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity, which can cause tarnishing and damage.
For items with chains, consider hanging them to prevent tangling. Regularly check your stored jewelry for any signs of damage or wear to address issues promptly.
When to Remove Your Ring
Knowing when to remove your ring is important to keeping it safe and in good condition. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure your ring stays beautiful and undamaged.
Take off your ring before engaging in activities that could damage it, such as heavy lifting, gardening, or using harsh chemicals.
Unless your ring is solid platinum, always remove it before swimming in a chlorinated pool or jacuzzi.
Additionally, remove your ring before sleeping to prevent wearing down the gold. Yes, it's true! simply rubbing gold on sheets over the years can wear down the metal.
If you wish to keep your stones bright, remove your ring before showering, doing the dishes, washing your hands and applying lotion. Some sunscreens have been reported to discolor metal, as well!
The ring pictured here was a garbage disposal victim! Fortunately, we could repair it, and the diamond was not damaged.
The Top Ten Mistakes Jewelry Wearers Make
1. Wearing jewelry while at the gym or pool, playing sports or doing other activities that may damage the jewelry.
2. Spritzing perfume or hairspray on wrists or necks adorned with jewelry.
3. Wearing jewelry that doesn't fit correctly.
4. Neglecting proper maintenance on jewelry, such as having prongs checked or pearls restrung.
5. Not cleaning jewelry regularly or properly.
6. Cleaning/rinsing jewelry over an open drain.
7. Keeping jewelry in a tangled jumble in a jewelry box or drawer.
8. Wearing jewelry that requires constant adjustment and fussing.
9. Buying what's hot rather than choosing jewelry that flatters.
10. And worst of all . . . Not wearing and enjoying the jewelry they own!
Other Jewelry Care Resources
Sizing, Repairs & Refinishing
Wear and Tear of Metal
Cleaning Your Jewelry
Skin Irritation
Mokume Care
You Might Also Want To
Design Your Own Jewelry
Book your free design appointment today
and join our community for exclusive insights.
Why Choose Krikawa?
Our custom design process is simple.
We are committed to delivering a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Experience 5-star service and world-class craftsmanship.
