When it comes to caring for your jewelry collection, we are not exaggerating when we say that there are probably hundreds (if not thousands!) of articles online that all claim to be the very best authority on the subject of cleaning and keeping your valuables in the best condition possible. Well, today is your lucky day, because we are happy to say that we really do have the best guide on the web!

As well as the expected wear and tear that you need to be wary of for your everyday jewelry, there are also a number of common accidents that we have all fallen victim to at one time or another over the years. This guide is going to take you through everything that you could possibly need to know about caring for watches and jewelry, from how to best store them to how to prevent them from becoming damaged in the first place.

Without further ado, here is our ultimate guide to caring for both watches and pieces of jewelry. By the time you have finished reading, you will feel as qualified as a professional jeweler!

Tips For Watch Care

You might have come here for the jewelry tips, but tackle another of our favorite things first, watches! Watch repair by a professional watchmaker for something as luxurious as a Rolex, for example, can be expensive, so to avoid incurring these fees, you should know how to take good care of your mechanical watch at home instead! Here are our best tips for taking care of a timepiece to keep it in stellar condition.

• Clean The Watch Regularly

This can be done simply by taking a soft cloth and wiping down the band and the case, removing any dust and dirt. You can soak the watch in mild dish soap and water every few months to loosen the more stubborn dirt and grime.

• Get It Regularly Serviced

No matter how long your warranty is, you should have your watch serviced every two or three years. This proves to be more cost-effective than paying for emergency repairs.

• Avoid Contact With Magnets

Stay away from magnets as they can have a negative impact on the timekeeping abilities of the watch.

• Understand The Water Resistance 

You need to be really aware of how water-resistant your watch is. Most good models will be up to 50 meters, which means you should not take it beyond that level for something like scuba diving. If your watch isn’t water-resistant at all, then it goes without saying that you need to avoid moisture at all costs!

• Look After The Crystal

Take care not to bang the crystal of your watch against something like a wall or hard object that could damage or scratch it.

• Keep The Original Box

The original box that came with your watch is always going to be the best place to store it, because it will have been designed to fit the exact contours and measurements of the timepiece.

• Avoid Prolonged Sunlight

Sunlight has the power to fade the color of a watch, and direct heat can also work to shorten the battery life. It’s best to keep your wristwatch out of direct sunlight.

• Stay Away From Harsh Chemicals

Things like cologne, perfume, oils, lotions, bleach, hairspray and cleaning supplies are all not good for a luxuyry watch. The chemicals can damage leather bands and cause them to tear. Some chemicals may also react adversely with stainless steel. Always allow your wrist to dry completely before putting your watch on.

• Never Open It Yourself

Always leave the opening of a timepiece to a professional watchmaker. Doing this without the correct training can lead to dirt and debris getting stuck inside the movement and you might also damage the case.

• Read The Manual

Reading the instruction pamphlet for any product or purchase is never something that people want to do, but in the case of a luxury watch, it can really make the difference between keeping it in great condition and maintaining its selling value.

Tips For Fine Jewelry Cleaning And Care

So, now you know exactly how to keep your luxury watch in the best condition, let’s move on to taking care of your jewelry made from gemstones and precious metals! 

There are a few topics to cover that will turn you into an expert jewelry cleaner. We’ll take you through a step-by-step guide to everything that you need to know and consider to keep your engagement rings, emeralds, necklaces, and everything else in your jewelry box in the best possible condition.

How To Prevent Jewelry Damage

• Make sure that you always remove your jewelry before showering, exercising and sleeping. e know it is usual that you don’t like to take off wedding bands and engagement rings but to preserve them at their best, they should be removed for these short periods of time you bathe.

• Just as we suggested above with wrist watches, try to not to expose your pieces to too many layers of lotions, hairspray and other solutions or sprays, because this will lead to a build-up of grime that over time gets harder to remove.

• Don’t allow your jewelry to come into contact with harsh chemicals like cleaning products that are not intended for precious metals.

• Store your jewelry in safe locations that are secure and out of the reach of both children and pets.

How To Check Jewelry For Damage

• Check all of the stone settings. If anything is loose or any of the claws/prings of the setting are broken or missing, then you need to get them fixed.

• Make sure that all of the clasps on pieces like bracelets and necklaces are working properly.

• Check for weakened links in necklace chains.

• Check the backs of stud earrings to make sure that they are sturdy and fit tightly to their corresponding parts.

• Check for movement in hinged joints that appear to be doing ‘too much’. They could need tightening.

How To Store Jewelry

• Separate your different types of jewelry in a few different ways. You can divide them by type (necklace, bracelet, rings etc) to make accessorizing easier, and you can also divide them by metal because things like sterling silver, white gold, yellow gold and others can sometimes react to each other when stored in close proximity.

• Make sure to keep all of the most delicate designs and pieces wrapped up inside soft fabric like velvet pouches. This will keep them as safe as possible, and tangle and scratch-free.

• Invest in a good, solid jewelry box. Something with a luxury, high-quality fabric lining is essential, along with lots of separate compartments for smaller, more delicate pieces.

• Consider some alternative storage options for specific pieces. For example, something like a necklace tree can be really helpful to keep your necklaces separated and untangled.

How To Prevent Jewelry From Tarnishing

• Always check that your jewelry is completely dry before you store it. If you have cleaned it or even been out in the rain, then you need to dry it before putting it away in your jewelry box. This is particularly important for sterling silver

• Use a proper polishing cloth to remove any visible grime before you store your jewelry away.

• One of the leading causes of tarnishing is humidity, so keep your collection in as dry conditions as you can. If you live in a humid place, then store your jewelry with one or two silica gel packets.

How To Clean Gold And Silver Jewelry

There are a few different methods that you can use to clean your gold and silver jewelry. They include:

• Dish Soap Method

This is the most straightforward cleaning method. All you need is some mild dish soap added to warm water, mixing until it is nice and bubbly. Soak your pieces in the mixture for about 10 minutes, and afterward use a soft brush or toothbrush to gently work on the hard-to-reach areas and crevices. Then allow to dry before you polish with a cleaning cloth.

• Salt Bath Method

This is a good method for when there is quite a buildup of grime or the jewelry has become tarnished. You need salt, hot water and aluminum foil. Place the jewelry in a bowl and cover it with hot water. Add your salt and stir gently until it is dissolved. Once it is dissolved, add in a few small pieces of torn-up foil. This causes a chemical reaction that removes the tarnish to bring back the shiny surface. Finish by drying and polishing.

• Use a Cleaning Kit

If you don’t want to assemble all of the different materials and chemicals that you need to undergo a good clean, then you can bypass all of that. Simply buy a jewelry cleaning kit. It makes the process much easier and they always come with thorough instructions.

• Go To A Jeweler

If the grime levels are off the scale and you really don’t think that you can do the job yourself, then don’t mess around, just visit a professional jeweler who will have all of the tools and expertise to solve the problem in no time at all.

How To Clean Gemstone Jewelry

• It is important to note that all gemstones are different and require different kinds of care: what is right for one stone might be completely wrong for another.

• A combination of mild detergent, warm water and a nice soft cloth will be more than enough to keep most gemstones looking clean and shiny, but it is always worth consulting with a jeweler if you have a stone that needs extra attention.

Engagement Ring 12.59ct Round Fancy Yellow VVS2 GIA

How To Care For Resin Jewelry

• Keep resin pieces away from all chemicals. This includes things like beauty products, lotions, perfumes, and of course, household cleaning products.

• The resin might feel hard, but it is actually not waterproof and therefore should not be submerged in water at all. You need to remove your resin pieces before doing things like bathing, showering, and swimming.

• Keep resin jewelry away from extreme temperatures. Low temperatures might cause the resin to shatter, whilst high temperatures can result in the resin becoming malleable with a risk of misshaping.

Common Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid

The internet is full of hacks, tricks, and tips to clean jewelry, but they are best ignored, especially for fine jewelry and gemstones.

• Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is incredibly acidic and much more potent and powerful than you might think, especially if you are tempted to use it on very delicate pieces of jewelry or pieces that feature porous stones.

• Toothpaste

Toothpaste is far too abrasive to be used for jewelry cleaning, as it will start to wear down precious metals

• Ketchup

Tomatoes and vinegar are both very acidic and like lemon juice are too potent to use as a jewelry cleaner. 

• Lack Of Cleaning

For some reason, a myth still exists that not cleaning your jewelry at all is the best way to preserve it. That couldn’t be further from the truth! You need to regularly clean your pieces to avoid buildups of grime and dirt that will become harder to remove over time.

Should You Insure Your Jewelry?

And lastly, should you be looking to insure your jewelry collection?

Jewelry insurance can be overlooked by many. Mostly, this is ok because your general household contents insurance will cover your jewelry. If you have very expensive pieces or family heirlooms, they should be named individually on your policy. Ideally, you should be insuring your most precious items of jewelry against any eventuality, including accidental damage, fire damage and theft.

If your jewelry travels with you on vacation and other trips, make sure your travel insurance covers the full value of what you take. Stein Diamonds offers Jewelry and Watch Insurance Policy through Markel Corporation, who has over 25 years of experience in the valuable collectibles space and are A-rated by AM Best.

We hope you find this guide useful for keeping your watch and fine jewelry in the best condition. Your jewelry is a statement of your personality so you want it to sparkle and shine, not to be dull and dingy.