Do you need guidance on the appropriate care regimen for your specific type of jewellery to ensure its enduring beauty and functionality?

The appropriate jewellery care regimen is determined by the metal, gemstones, setting, surface finish and how often the piece is worn. Remove jewellery before bathing, swimming, exercising, sleeping, gardening or using household chemicals, then clean and store it according to its specific materials. This helps prevent scratches, tarnishing, loose stones, discolouration and avoidable damage to delicate components.

Begin with the metal. Gold, platinum and silver are durable precious metals, but each can still scratch or become marked. Clean them with a soft, lint-free cloth and, where appropriate, lukewarm water with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid. Rinse carefully and dry thoroughly. Silver can tarnish when exposed to air, moisture, cosmetics and household chemicals; a suitable silver-polishing cloth can help, although excessive polishing may affect a textured, engraved or deliberately oxidised finish. Platinum develops a natural patina over time, while polished surfaces may require professional refinishing if you want to restore their original appearance.

White gold may have a rhodium-plated surface that gradually wears with use, particularly on rings. Avoid abrasive cleaners and polishing compounds, as these can accelerate wear. If the colour or finish has changed, professional assessment can establish whether cleaning, polishing or re-plating is appropriate. Gold-plated and vermeil jewellery require especially gentle treatment: keep them away from water, perspiration, perfumes and creams, and do not use abrasive cloths or dips that could remove the coating.

Match cleaning to the gemstone. Diamonds and many hard, non-porous gemstones can usually be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap and a very soft brush. Brush gently around the back of the setting, where oils and debris can collect, then rinse over a bowl rather than directly over an open plughole. A soft cloth should be used for drying. Even durable stones can chip if struck, and a diamond can scratch other jewellery, so each item should be handled and stored separately.

Gemstones with greater sensitivity need a different approach:

• Emeralds: many are treated with oils or resins and can contain natural inclusions. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, heat, sudden temperature changes and strong chemicals unless the treatment and setting have been professionally assessed.
• Opals: avoid prolonged soaking, heat, drying conditions and ultrasonic or steam cleaning. Keep them away from solvents and household chemicals, which may affect their appearance or structure.
• Pearls: wipe them with a slightly damp, soft cloth after wearing and allow them to dry naturally. Put pearls on after applying perfume, hairspray, make-up and skincare products, as acids and solvents can dull their lustre and weaken the string.
• Turquoise, coral and other porous or organic materials: keep them dry and away from oils, chemicals, cosmetics and prolonged sunlight. Do not soak them or use jewellery dips.
• Delicate or treated stones: follow the care advice provided when the jewellery was purchased or request an assessment before using heat, steam, ultrasonic cleaning or chemical solutions.

Take extra care with settings and moving parts. Prong, claw, bezel and channel settings can loosen or wear, especially on rings worn every day. Check for a stone that moves, catches on fabric, appears lower than usual or has a damaged claw. Chains, clasps, hinges, catches and mechanisms can also weaken through repeated use. Do not continue wearing a piece if a stone is loose or a fastening is unreliable; place it safely in a separate box and arrange a professional inspection.

Ultrasonic cleaning is not suitable for every item. It may be inappropriate for jewellery containing emeralds, opals, pearls, porous stones, heavily included gems, loose settings, delicate construction or certain treatments. Steam and strong chemical dips carry similar risks. When the materials or treatments are uncertain, professional advice is safer than experimenting with a cleaning method at home.

Store each piece to prevent damage. Keep jewellery clean and completely dry before putting it away. Store items separately in a lined box, pouch or compartment so that chains do not tangle and harder stones do not scratch softer metals or gemstones. Fasten clasps before storage, lay chains flat where possible, and keep pearls and other sensitive materials in a breathable fabric pouch rather than an airtight plastic container. Avoid bathrooms and other areas with high humidity, and protect jewellery from direct sunlight, excessive heat and sudden changes in temperature.

Reduce exposure during daily activities. Apply cosmetics, perfume, hairspray and skincare products before putting on jewellery, allowing them to dry first. Remove rings when washing hands with harsh products, cleaning, cooking with acidic ingredients or handling abrasive materials. Take jewellery off before swimming or using a hot tub, as chlorine and other chemicals can damage metals, solder, settings and some gemstones. Exercise and manual work can subject rings, bracelets and watches to impact, perspiration and grit.

Luxury watches need their own precautions. Keep the crown fully secured, avoid operating buttons or the crown when the watch is wet, and do not assume that water resistance is permanent. Seals can age and resistance can be affected by impact, opening the case or changes in temperature. Have the watch assessed if condensation appears beneath the crystal, the crown feels loose, the timekeeping changes significantly or the case has suffered an impact. A watch should be serviced and its water resistance checked according to its condition and the manufacturer’s requirements.

Include regular professional checks in your routine. Cleaning removes surface dirt but does not identify worn claws, stretched links, thinning shanks, damaged solder joints, loose settings or weakened clasps. A jeweller can inspect the piece, assess gemstones and treatments, check security and recommend cleaning, polishing, restringing, resizing or repair where necessary. This is particularly important for engagement rings, wedding rings and other jewellery worn continuously.

If a piece has been repaired, remodelled, resized or re-plated, follow the specific aftercare advice provided for that work. Some finishes are intentionally textured or oxidised and should not be polished in the same way as a high-shine surface. If you are unsure whether an item can be soaked, polished, steamed or placed in an ultrasonic cleaner, stop using the cleaning method and arrange an assessment. Identifying the materials and construction first is the most reliable way to preserve the jewellery’s appearance, security and function.