Jewelry often acts as an investment, and many people attach strong sentimental value to their pieces. Hence, it is important to take care of your jewelry so that it continues to look its best for many years. Whether you're cleaning a diamond engagement ring, a cherished pearl necklace, or a gold bracelet, follow these tips to take care of your jewelry with confidence.

General Tips

If you have any major concerns about the condition of your jewelry, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be glad to assist you in making your piece look as good as the day it was purchased. Here are some tips we believe you should follow to avoid major damage.

• Take your jewelry off if you're involved in any activity which could scratch, knock or damage it. If in any doubt, take it off and keep it safe.
• Take it off when you go to bed.
• Keep it well away from chemicals. If it does come into contact with chemicals, rinse it in water immediately.
• Apply any lotions or perfumes before you put your jewelry on.
• Store your jewelry separately, ideally in a soft-lined box or case, so that your favorite pieces don't tangle, rub or scratch one another.

 How to clean gold jewelry?

It doesn't take long for gold jewelry to lose its shine, because most of us wear gold jewelry on an everyday basis. Fingerprints and a daily build-up of dirt can quickly dull even the brightest gold. Therefore, we have some tips to help you get it shining once again.

• Add a few drops of conditioner and a very small amount of detergent to a hot bowl of water. Then, boil the water well and slake the oven.
• Dip the jewelry into the bowl overnight to loosen any buildup of dirt.
• Next day use colgate and gently clean with a soft-bristled brush such as an unused toothbrush. 
• Make sure to clean the whole piece of jewelry and get into hard to reach places while being extra careful when cleaning fragile parts of the jewelry (for example, at a stone's setting).
• Rinse thoroughly in clean water to remove soap residue and any other remnants of dirt.
• Dry gently with a lint-free cloth or leave on a cloth to air dry.

 If the gold jewellery has gemstones or pearls, please be extra careful when cleaning the piece. Check out the rest of the guide for how best to clean the individual gems so that you don't cause any damage to the jewelry.

How to clean diamond jewelry?

Despite being the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, diamonds require care and attention. Although they are hard, they can shatter and be scratched by other diamonds due to their directional hardness. Finger oil deposits, as well as dust and filth, can easily stick to the diamond surface, reducing its brilliance.

Handle the diamond with care and keep it apart from other jewelry to avoid scratching it, particularly other diamond jewelry. Keeping the diamond in separate little plastic bags or a fabric-lined case will help reduce damage, wear, and dirt formation.

Clean the diamond on a regular basis. Soak in warm water with a degreasing solution (a few drops of washing up liquid would enough). Brush with a gentle, clean toothbrush and dry with a lint-free cloth. Be especially careful with the stone's setting, as it may be fragile. Avoid using bleach or other harsh abrasives. This can easily cause harm to the precious metal in which the diamond is placed.

How to clean other stones?

Although a gemstone may appear tough, many can be easily damaged by heat. Whenever cleaning, make sure that you use warm water rather than hot or boiling water. Inclusions within gemstones can weaken their structure if they are aggressively cleaned. Gemstones, such as emeralds that have been oiled to improve color, can be negatively affected by mechanical cleaning such as steam and ultrasonic cleaning.

How to clean silver jewelry?

Silver is subject to tarnishing over time, resulting in dull or even black jewelry. Tarnishing occurs when silver is exposed to oxygen and sulfur in the air. It is unavoidable, but, thankfully, it doesn't damage the metal and can be removed easily with cleaning.

How to prevent tarnishing:

Simply wearing your silver jewelry will slow the process of tarnishing. Being careful with how you store and wear the silver will also help reduce the speed of tarnishing.

• Remove silver rings and bracelets when washing your hands. Residue from soap and hand gels can result in a dull surface.
• Keep silver jewelry in separate airtight bags.
• Avoid humid environments.

However, when the metal begins to look dull or starts to turn black, it is time to get the cleaning products out to get the jewelry looking like new.

How to clean silver:

The simplest way to clean silver is to buy a specialist cleaning solution or cloth. There are numerous examples on the market. Just make sure that they have been specifically designed for cleaning silver. Silver cleaning cloths should be soft and infused with anti-tarnishing agents.

If you don't have specialist cleaners at home, then do not fear as there are household options to get your silver shining. A bowl of lukewarm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid will help remove tarnishing.

• Dip the silver jewelry for 20 minutes in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid.
• Gently scrub the silver with a soft, clean brush.
• Rinse in clean, warm water.
• Leave to air dry.

For more stubborn tarnishing, you can use a white vinegar and water mix.

• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a bowl.
• Soak a clean toothbrush in the solution and gently brush the affected areas of silver.
• Rinse and leave to air dry.