How to Care for and Clean Your Precious Jewelry

Jewelry is hands down one of my favorite accessories!

A few months ago, I went on a trip to NYC. New York can be many things to many people, but to me, it will always be the fashion capital of the world! Now it was been over a decade since I was last there so fashion and culture wise, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. Because things and certain industries can change a place. and the culture of a city can change drastically depending on certain jobs and industries. I was hoping that the city would be a far cry from the lulu lemons (not hating because LuLu is quite comfy) and yoga/ sweatsuit garb I see here in the Bay Area.

 

I was so happy to see that some people in NYC, still DRESS.

My last night there, my good girlfriend took me to dinner at Ricardo’s in Harlem and that’s where I saw lots of NYC flyyy girls. Darling, I haven’t seen that much ice since the 2000s. The bling was real and abundant, and my eyes could not turn away.

As a lover of color and fine jewelry, I felt warm and fuzzy because I knew in my heart that there was hope. Hope that people out there don’t leave getting dolled up and dressed for special occasions only. Hope that clothes are still an expressive artform.

But back to the ice. I had a few of my favorite jewelry pieces with me (because I pack like that), and seeing the bling caused me to ponder about the importance of caring for jewelry and how caring for those pieces is an art within itself.

 

GORGEOUS ACCESSORIES

As a child, I remember the season in like 1990 where every weekend was spent running around San Francisco with my mom as she searched for the perfect Rolex watch. Oh. My.  Goodness every Saturday, we would go on an all-day adventure looking for this gift that she just had to have and when she found her perfect watch— we struck gold. That year I learned that owning such a luxurious piece of jewelry, required much thought and was an investment in timeless beauty.

Gorgeous jewels are valuable and require care. In this post I detailed how I care for my jewelry depending on their precious metals.

GOLD JEWELRY

Your gold jewelry pieces need regular maintenance to preserve its shine. Have you ever seen gold jewelry that’s been left to the side and tarnished? Yea, you know it’s worth much but just doesn’t look like it.

Here’s how you can keep your gold pieces looking pristine:

Regular Cleaning. I prefer ease and simplicity, so I use a gold jewelry cleaning kit. You can find cleaning kits at any department store where fine jewelry is sold. Follow the instructions and you cannot go wrong.

Avoid Chemicals.  Gold can tarnish or become discolored when exposed to chemicals, like cleaning products. Remove your gold jewelry when cleaning, swimming. When applying lotions and perfumes, remove your jewelry first then let the products settle on your skin before putting your pieces back on.

Store Your Gold Properly.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen gold pieces in plastic bags! This is another way for rob your jewelry of its beauty. Store your gold pieces in a soft cloth bag or a jewelry box lined with felt to prevent scratches. Keep each piece separate to avoid tangling or scratching.

SILVER JEWELRY

Like gold, silver jewelry is prone to tarnishing, but with care can be well preserved.

Polish Often. Use a specialized silver polishing cloth to gently buff your silver pieces. This helps remove tarnish and restore shine. For ease, just like with my gold pieces, I use a cleaning kit.

Gentle Cleaning. If you prefer not to use a kit, you can create a solution with warm water and a mild soap. Soak your silver jewelry for a few minutes, then use a soft cloth to clean it. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately to avoid water spots.

Anti-Tarnish Storage. Store your silver in an anti-tarnish bag or wrap it in anti-tarnish paper. Keep it in a cool, dry place, and consider placing a silica gel packet nearby to absorb moisture.

 

DIAMONDS

When caring for your diamond jewelry, you must look at it holistically. The goal with diamonds is to preserve their brilliance and care for the metals that hold them. The worst thing ever is to have tarnished metal holding a beautiful diamond— it throws everything off.

Regular Cleaning. Soak your diamond jewelry in a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a soft brush to clean around the diamond, especially in settings where dirt and oil can accumulate. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals. Chlorine and other harsh chemicals can damage the metal holding your diamonds, so avoid wearing diamond jewelry while swimming or cleaning.

Professional Check-ups. Over the years, I’ve watched my mom get her diamonds regularly inspected. This is wise because jewelers are trained to see things that our common eyes wouldn’t notice. They can check for loose settings and provide a thorough cleaning in their high-pressure machines.

GEMSTONES

I love gems. Like really really love them because of their rich colors. Rubies, sapphires, emeralds are all so gorgeous to me. The thing with gemstones is that different stones require specific care to maintain their natural beauty. I have found that it is important to:

Know Your Gems.  Understand the specific care instructions for each type of gemstone. For example, pearls are more delicate and require gentler handling compared to harder stones like sapphires and rubies.

Mild Cleaning Solutions. I don’t have a kit for cleaning gems and as I think about it- I’ve never noticed one before. To clean pearls, I use a mixture of lukewarm water and mild soap to clean most gemstones. Let them soak briefly, gently scrub with a soft brush, rinse, and pat dry. Remember, soak briefly.

Get Regular Maintenance. Like diamonds, periodically inspect your jewelry for loose stones, worn prongs, or other damage. Timely repairs can prevent more extensive (and expensive) issues.

Handle Your Jewelry with Care. Always handle your jewelry with clean hands and avoid touching gemstones as oils from your skin can dull their shine.

Overall, I think the mindset of caring for your jewelry is most important. When you remember that its valuable body art, you will treat it as such with care. Make sure to stay on top of regular maintenance.

If you follow these tips, your precious pieces will remain well preserved and continue to showcase your brilliant style for years to come. Remember, the care you invest in your jewelry is well worth it.

Happy sparkling!

XO, Anja

 

 

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