Jewellery Care Guide

A Little Care Goes a Long Way ♡

At The Jewellery Warehouse, we believe beautiful jewellery deserves to be treasured for years to come.

Whether it’s an everyday favourite, a timeless investment or a sentimental piece that holds special meaning, proper care and maintenance can help preserve its beauty, brilliance and longevity.

To help keep your jewellery looking its best, we’ve put together some simple yet effective care recommendations.

1. Everyday Jewellery Care

Even the finest jewellery requires a little extra attention to maintain its original beauty.

We recommend following these simple practices to minimise unnecessary wear and damage:

• Remove Before Activities: Take off your jewellery before exercising, swimming, gardening, cleaning or participating in activities that may expose it to impact, pressure or chemicals.
• Avoid Chemicals: Keep jewellery away from perfumes, lotions, hairsprays, household cleaning products and other harsh chemicals, as these can affect metals, gemstones and finishes.
• Apply Products First: Allow skincare products, perfumes and cosmetics to dry or absorb before putting on your jewellery.
• Keep Jewellery Dry: Remove jewellery before showering, bathing or swimming to minimise exposure to moisture, chlorine and saltwater.
• Handle With Care: Avoid pulling, twisting or placing unnecessary pressure on delicate chains, clasps, settings and gemstones.
• Inspect Regularly: Check your jewellery for loose stones, worn settings, damaged clasps or other signs of wear.

Our Tip: Make jewellery the last thing you put on when getting ready and the first thing you take off at the end of the day.

2. Cleaning Your Jewellery

Regular, gentle cleaning can help remove everyday dirt, oils and residue that may dull your jewellery’s appearance.

For suitable jewellery, such as plain solid gold or platinum pieces, we recommend:

1. Prepare a small bowl of lukewarm water with a few drops of mild, fragrance-free dishwashing liquid.
2. Allow your jewellery to soak briefly, provided its materials and construction are suitable for immersion.
3. Gently clean using a soft-bristled brush, paying particular attention to areas where dirt may accumulate.
4. Rinse carefully with clean, lukewarm water.
5. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and allow the piece to dry completely before storing.

Important: This cleaning method is not suitable for every type of jewellery. Porous gemstones, pearls, opals, emeralds, treated stones, glued settings and certain delicate or antique pieces may require specialised care.

If you’re unsure whether your jewellery can be safely cleaned at home, we recommend seeking professional advice before proceeding.

Avoid abrasive cleaning products, toothpaste, baking soda and harsh chemicals, as these may scratch or damage jewellery.

3. Caring for Gold Jewellery

Gold is a beautiful and durable precious metal, but it is not completely resistant to scratches, dents or everyday wear.

To maintain your gold jewellery:

• Store individual pieces separately to prevent scratching.
• Avoid exposing gold to chlorine, bleach and harsh cleaning chemicals.
• Remove rings before lifting heavy objects or performing physical activities.
• Clean suitable pieces gently using mild soapy water and a soft cloth.
• Have frequently worn pieces professionally inspected for signs of wear.

Please Note: Gold-plated and gold-vermeil jewellery require additional care, as their surface finishes may gradually wear over time. Avoid excessive polishing, friction and prolonged exposure to water.

4. Caring for Sterling Silver

Sterling silver may naturally develop tarnish over time due to exposure to air, moisture and certain chemicals.

Tarnishing is a normal characteristic of silver and does not necessarily indicate poor quality.

To help maintain its appearance:

• Store silver jewellery in a cool, dry environment.
• Use anti-tarnish pouches or suitable jewellery storage bags.
• Gently polish with a jewellery cloth specifically designed for silver.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, perfumes and cleaning products.
• Clean regularly to prevent the buildup of oils and residue.

Our Tip: Store sterling silver pieces individually in anti-tarnish bags when they are not being worn.

Avoid using silver dips or abrasive polishing products on jewellery containing delicate gemstones, plating or intentionally oxidised details.

5. Caring for Diamonds

Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional hardness and brilliance, but they are not indestructible.

Although diamonds are highly resistant to scratching, they can still chip or fracture when subjected to a strong impact.

To preserve their sparkle:

• Avoid wearing diamond jewellery during strenuous activities.
• Regularly remove accumulated oils and residue using an appropriate cleaning method.
• Store diamond jewellery separately to prevent it from scratching other pieces.
• Avoid exposing settings to unnecessary pressure or impact.
• Have claws, settings and stone security professionally inspected periodically.

Our Tip: If you notice a diamond moving within its setting, stop wearing the piece and arrange a professional inspection as soon as possible.

6. Caring for Gemstone Jewellery

Every gemstone is unique, and different stones require different levels of care.

While some gemstones are suitable for gentle cleaning with mild soapy water, others are particularly sensitive to moisture, heat, chemicals or sudden temperature changes.

Sapphires & Rubies

Generally durable gemstones suitable for regular wear, although care should still be taken to avoid strong impacts and harsh chemicals.

Certain treatments and settings may require specialised cleaning methods.

Emeralds

Emeralds can contain natural inclusions and are frequently treated with oils or resins.

Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaning, excessive heat and harsh chemicals, as these may affect the gemstone or its treatments.

Opals

Opals require particularly gentle handling and should be protected from impacts, extreme temperatures and sudden temperature changes.

Avoid soaking opals or exposing them to harsh chemicals. Doublets and triplets are especially sensitive to prolonged moisture exposure.

Pearls

Pearls are delicate organic gems that can be damaged by perfumes, cosmetics, acids and abrasive materials.

Gently wipe pearls with a soft, slightly damp cloth after wearing and allow them to dry before storing.

Avoid soaking pearl jewellery, particularly necklaces with silk-threaded strands.

Other Gemstones

Gemstones such as turquoise, amber, amethyst, topaz and other varieties may have specific care requirements depending on their composition and treatments.

Important: Always consider the gemstone’s individual characteristics before cleaning. If you are uncertain, professional cleaning is the safest option.

7. Storing Your Jewellery

Proper storage is one of the simplest ways to protect jewellery from unnecessary damage.

We recommend:

• Separate Your Pieces: Store jewellery individually to prevent scratching, tangling and friction.
• Use Soft Storage: Keep pieces in fabric-lined jewellery boxes, soft pouches or individual compartments.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged sunlight and heat may affect certain gemstones and jewellery materials.
• Control Moisture: Store jewellery in a cool, dry location away from excessive humidity.
• Protect Delicate Chains: Fasten necklaces and bracelets before storing to minimise tangling.
• Take Extra Care When Travelling: Use a secure jewellery travel case with separate compartments.

Our Tip: Avoid storing different types of jewellery together, particularly diamonds and softer gemstones, as harder materials may scratch more delicate pieces.

8. Professional Cleaning & Maintenance

Even with excellent everyday care, jewellery may require occasional professional attention.

Over time, regular wear can affect settings, clasps, chains and other delicate components.

We recommend having frequently worn jewellery professionally inspected approximately every 6–12 months, or sooner if you notice any signs of damage.

A professional inspection may help identify:

• Loose gemstones or worn claws.
• Weakening settings.
• Damaged or stretched chains.
• Worn clasps and connections.
• Scratches, dents or other structural concerns.
• Signs of deterioration requiring repair.

Regular maintenance can help identify potential issues before they develop into more significant problems.

9. Jewellery Repairs & Restoration

Despite our best efforts, jewellery may occasionally require professional care to restore its appearance or functionality.

At The Jewellery Warehouse, we offer a range of jewellery repair and remodelling services, subject to assessment and availability.

Whether your jewellery requires resizing, restoration, repairs or a complete transformation, our team is here to help.

We recommend seeking professional assistance if you notice loose stones, damaged settings, broken clasps or other signs of wear.

Please Note: Continuing to wear damaged jewellery may increase the risk of further damage or gemstone loss.

Visit our Repairs & Services page to learn more about our services and how to request a personalised assessment and quote.

A Little Love for a Lifetime of Beauty 

Jewellery is more than just an accessory. It can represent cherished memories, meaningful milestones and moments worth remembering.

With thoughtful care, gentle cleaning and regular maintenance, your favourite pieces can continue to bring beauty and joy for many years to come.

At The Jewellery Warehouse, we’re passionate about helping you find jewellery you’ll love, treasure and enjoy wearing.

With love,

The Jewellery Warehouse ♡