Tips to Maintain Your Jewelry

At GGS, we understand that it is not only important to select the perfect piece or stone for you, but also to maintain your selection through proper care. By following our guidance and staying mindful of your jewelry, your pieces will be able to remain brilliant and smooth through everyday wear that may cause damage.

  • Try to make a habit of removing your jewelry before you bath or shower. Detergents may deposit a film over the surface of your jewelry that diminishes the brilliance of its color. You should likewise remove your jewelry before applying cosmetics, powders, or hair products.
  • When handling rings, make an effort to touch them by the shank (the metal area that encircles your finger) rather than by the stone itself. Your skin’s contact with the stone will cause a residue to form on the surface, greatly reducing it’s ability to sparkle.
  • Never wrap your rings in facial tissue that might be mistaken for trash or place your rings or jewelry on the side of the sink unless you are absolutely sure that the drain is tightly closed. Due to the sheer commonality of lost or forgotten rings, GSS also recommends that you never remove your rings to wash your hands if you are away from home.
  • Remove your fine jewelry when participating in any type of hands-on work such as gardening or housekeeping. Contact with abrasive agents such as tools will scratch both the metal and the stone of your jewel. Harsh chemicals such as chlorine or bleach may also cause dullness and discoloration.
  • It is best to avoid exposing your fine jewelry to intense heat or cold; consequently, GGS recommends removal of your jewelry when cooking as well. Many gems and enamel coated pieces have been ruined from the heat off a stovetop. Do not store your jewelry in a refrigerated space.
  • Plan to have a jeweler inspect your piece every 12-18 months to ensure nothing is out of place, loose, or damaged in a way that requires repair. If you are able to see or hear the stone move within its setting, take it as a warning that the prongs need tightening. Also be sure to inspect clasps and catches to make sure they are able to function properly. Neglecting these important inspections may result in greater damage or even a lost piece.
  • When storing your jewelry it is best to keep you pieces separate from each other in order to prevent damage. Diamonds especially may scratch other stones with only slight contact and should be placed in a case or separated by a divider in your jewelry box. Silver jewelry should absolutely be kept away from gold to avoid tarnishing the gold. Be careful not to store opals or pearls in a dry, dark space for too long (such as a safety deposit box) where the close air seems to dry out both stones and discolor pearls. Try not to overcrowd your jewelry box, which can result in loose pieces falling unnoticed from their cases, or fragile pieces chipping each other.
  • Pearls of any type (Akoya, South Sea, Freshwater, Tahitian) are very soft, and because normal dust contains quartz crystals that are much harder than a pearl’s exterior they are easily scratched if left uncovered. It is best to store your pearls in a separate pouch, most preferably one that is lined with satin, in order to protect them from abrasive dust and prevent scratching the pearl’s surface against other stones. Always protect your pearls from contact with hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics, ammonia and especially vinegar, which will instantly begin to corrode away the beautiful surface. GGS also recommends that you restring your pearls periodically, depending on how often they are worn. For frequently worn pearls, restringing once a year is appropriate with knots in between each pearl to prevent them from rubbing against one another or scattering should the string break.
  • Of course, the most important factor for you to remember regarding maintaining your jewelry is to enjoy it! Your jewelry selections are a beautiful reflection of your personality, aesthetic preferences, and often a lovely way to remember an important event or occasion. When properly cared for with these tips, your jewelry will last a lifetime; show it the care befitting the rare, valuable and precious article that it is.