Fine jewelry is meant to be cherished for a lifetime, but even the strongest gold and hardest gems require mindful care. Everyday exposure to chemicals, moisture, and friction can quickly dull brilliance and damage delicate settings.
Protecting your investment is easy once you know the rules. Follow this essential guide from YFN Jewelry to keep your precious rings, necklaces, and earrings looking as luminous as the day you received them.
The Golden Rules of Care: The “Dos”
- DO Put It On Last: Always apply your makeup, hairspray, lotions, and perfumes before putting on your jewelry. These products contain chemicals that dull gold and silver and can cloud gemstones.
- DO Clean Regularly with Mild Soap: For most gold and diamond pieces, the safest cleaning method is a simple soak. Submerge the piece in a bowl of warm water mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap. Let it soak for 20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove buildup from settings.
- DO Check Settings: Before cleaning or every few months, gently touch the prongs holding your stones. If a stone feels loose or wiggles, stop wearing it immediately and take it to a professional jeweler. This is especially true for everyday pieces like engagement rings.
- DO Store Separately: Store each piece in its own soft pouch or separate compartment. The velvet pouch provided by YFN Jewelry is perfect for this. When hard materials (like diamonds) rub against softer metals (like gold), scratching and wear occur.
The Critical Mistakes: The “Don’ts”
- DON’T Wear Jewelry While Cleaning or Swimming: Chlorine (in pools) and common household cleaners (like bleach or ammonia) are highly corrosive and will cause irreversible damage, discoloration, and weaken metal settings, especially for gold and silver.
- DON’T Use Abrasive Cleaners: Avoid using toothpaste, baking soda, or harsh powdered cleaners, as they can scratch metals (especially gold and platinum) and damage softer stones like pearls or opals.
- DON’T Leave Jewelry Near Heat Sources: Extreme temperature changes or prolonged heat exposure can cause some gemstones (like opals or emeralds) to crack or change color.
- DON’T Sleep in Delicate Pieces: Sleeping with necklaces, especially, can cause chains to stretch, kink, or break under the pressure of your body weight.
By following these simple steps, you ensure that your treasured pieces from YFN Jewelry remain beautiful and structurally sound for generations to come.
