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Jewelry care guide by Stienhardt & Stones for diamonds, gold, and fine jewelry

Jewelry Care Guide – How to Clean, Store & Protect Fine Jewelry

Expert-backed guidance to keep your diamond, gold, and fine jewelry brilliant for generations.
Quick jewelry care summary showing proper storage, cleaning, and protection of fine jewelry

Quick Care Summary

Jewelry Care at a Glance
  • Remove jewelry before swimming or workouts
  • Store each piece separately to prevent scratches
  • Clean gently with mild soap and warm water
  • Schedule professional inspections once per year

Caring for Your Jewelry

Fine jewelry is designed to last a lifetimeβ€”but its beauty and integrity depend on how it's worn, stored, and maintained over time. Daily habits, environmental exposure, and improper storage can gradually dull brilliance or place stress on settings, even in durable materials like diamonds and gold.

At Stienhardt & Stones, our jewelry care guidance is developed by experienced jewelers who work hands-on with fine materials every day. Thoughtful care not only preserves sparkle and craftsmanship, but also helps prevent avoidable wearβ€”ensuring each piece remains as exceptional as the moment it was created.

With proper attention and periodic professional care, fine jewelry can be enjoyed today and passed down for generations.

Daily Jewelry Care Tips

A hand holds a broken ring, showing a visible gap, symbolizing loss or change. The ring has a shiny gold finish.

Avoiding Damage to Jewelry

To preserve the beauty and structure of your jewelry:
  • Remove jewelry before physical activity, cleaning, or swimming
  • Avoid wearing jewelry while applying lotions, perfumes, or hairspray
  • Put jewelry on last when getting ready and remove it first at the end of the day
Expert Insight:

Oils, sweat, and impact are the most common causes of long-term wear, even on durable materials like diamonds.

A hand holds a chain above a glass bowl containing a silver cleaning solution, with aluminum foil inside the bowl.

Effects of Chemicals on Jewelry

Everyday chemicals can weaken metals and reduce gemstone brilliance:
  • Chlorine can damage gold alloys
  • Household cleaners may erode metal finishes
  • Perfumes and cosmetics can leave residue beneath settings
Expert Insight:

Even lab-grown diamonds can lose sparkle when residue builds up beneath the stone.

Jewelry Cleaning Guide

Regular gentle cleaning keeps jewelry radiant while preventing long-term buildup.
How to safely clean diamond jewelry at home

Cleaning Diamond Jewelry

  • Use warm water with mild soap
  • Gently brush with a soft toothbrush
  • Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a lint-free cloth
  • Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials
Expert Insight:
Regular cleaning maintains diamond brilliance and prevents buildup that can dull sparkle.
Explore Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings
Safe cleaning method for gold and silver jewelry

Cleaning Gold & Silver Jewelry

  • Soak briefly in warm soapy water
  • Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth
  • Dry completely before storing
  • Avoid excessive polishing, which can wear down metal over time
Expert Insight:
Gentle cleaning preserves the finish and prevents tarnish buildup on precious metals.
Explore Wedding Bands
Proper care for lab-grown diamond jewelry to maintain brilliance

Caring for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

Lab-grown diamonds share the same physical properties as mined diamonds, making their care identical:
  • Clean regularly to prevent oil buildup
  • Inspect prongs and settings periodically
  • Store separately to avoid scratching
Expert Insight:
Routine care preserves brilliance and prevents avoidable repairs.
Explore Lab Grown Diamonds
Safe cleaning and care methods for delicate gemstone jewelry such as emeralds, opals, and pearls

Safe Cleaning Methods for Gemstones

Some gemstones require additional care:
  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for emeralds, opals, or pearls
  • Use only warm water and mild soap
  • Never soak porous or treated stones
  • When unsure, consult a professional before cleaning
Expert Insight:
Different gemstones have unique care requirements to prevent damage and maintain beauty.
Learn more about Gemstones

Proper Jewelry Storage

Storing Jewelry Safely

Correct storage prevents scratches, tangling, and tarnish:

  • Store pieces separately in soft-lined compartments
  • Keep jewelry away from moisture and direct sunlight
  • Use anti-tarnish strips for silver pieces

Thoughtful storage is essential for preserving fine pieces such as engagement rings and wedding bands.

Proper jewelry storage to prevent scratches and tarnish

Essential Jewelry Care Tools

Recommended tools for at-home care:

  • Microfiber polishing cloths
  • Soft-bristle brushes
  • Anti-tarnish storage strips

Avoid abrasive cloths or DIY cleaning hacks.

Essential jewelry care tools for safe at-home cleaning and storage

Regular Inspections & Maintenance

Inspecting Jewelry for Damage

Regular inspections help identify early signs of wear before they become costly repairs.
Check your jewelry regularly for:
  • Loose stones or weakened prongs
  • Bent or misaligned settings
  • Worn clasps or closures
If you notice movement, rattling, or unusual wear, stop wearing the piece immediately and seek professional assistance
Professional jewelry inspection checking prongs and stone settings for damage

Why Professional Cleaning Matters

While at-home care is essential, professional cleanings provide deeper maintenance and long-term protection.
Professional cleanings:
  • Restore brilliance beyond what home cleaning can achieve
  • Identify early structural or setting issues
  • Extend the lifespan and safety of your jewelry
We recommend periodic professional care for valuable pieces like ethical jewelry designed for everyday wear.
Professional jewelry cleaning service restoring brilliance and inspecting fine jewelry

Common Jewelry Care Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using toothpaste or baking soda to clean jewelry

  • Wearing jewelry while swimming or exercising

  • Storing multiple pieces together without separation

  • Ignoring loose stones or bent prongs

Avoiding these mistakes helps prevent costly repairs.

FAQ's

All answers reflect industry best practices and real-world jewelry care experience.

Fine jewelry should be gently cleaned at home every 2–4 weeks to remove oils and residue. Professional cleaning is recommended once or twice per year to restore brilliance and check for loose stones or worn settings.

The safest method is warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush. Gently brush the setting, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that can damage metal settings.

No. Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, so their care is identical. Regular gentle cleaning, safe storage, and periodic professional inspections help maintain long-lasting brilliance.

It’s best to remove jewelry before showering or swimming. Soap residue, chlorine, and saltwater can dull gemstones, weaken metal alloys, and loosen settings over time, even on durable materials like gold and diamonds.

No. Ultrasonic cleaners can damage fragile or treated gemstones such as emeralds, opals, and pearls. They may also loosen stones in older settings. Always consult a professional jeweler before using ultrasonic cleaning devices.

Loss of sparkle is usually caused by oil, lotion, soap residue, and everyday buildup beneath the stone. Regular cleaning and removing jewelry before applying cosmetics help preserve brilliance and prevent long-term dullness.

Store each piece separately in a soft-lined jewelry box or pouch to prevent scratching and tangling. Keep jewelry away from moisture and direct sunlight, and use anti-tarnish strips for silver pieces.

Stop wearing the jewelry immediately. A loose stone can fall out with continued wear. Have the piece inspected and repaired by a qualified jeweler as soon as possible to prevent stone loss.

Yes. Professional cleaning restores brilliance beyond home care and allows jewelers to identify early structural issues such as worn prongs or weakened settings, helping prevent costly repairs or gemstone loss.

Avoid using toothpaste or baking soda, wearing jewelry during sports or swimming, stacking pieces without protection, and ignoring loose stones. These common mistakes can cause scratches, metal wear, and permanent damage.