Jewelry cleaning is important to restore shine and remove any oils or dirt build-up. But if you’re cleaning a gold necklace or cleaning pearl earrings, you may need to use different tools for different materials. Look for the cleaning tips specific to your jewelry.

To maintain your pieces, remember a few things:

• Many jewelry types can be cleaned with warm water and a mild dish soap. Be careful to use a gentle cloth or brush for cleaning, especially with soft gems like pearls that are easy to scratch.
• Avoid any cleaning products not specifically designed for jewelry. Many cleaners can contain harsh chemicals that can damage gems or metals. 
• Put water into a separate bowl to rinse jewelry rather than over the sink, where it’s easy to lose a piece down the drain.
• Don’t wear your jewelery then apply lotions, perfume or hairspray. Never wear silver jewellery when you go swimming or at the sauna.
• At the end of the day, wipe your jewellery with a anti-tarnish cloth before storing it away. This will make sure any lingering moisture, oils or dust is gone.
• For pearls and other porous stones, use a small makeup brush dipped in shampoo and water to clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe the pearl.

As a general rule, if you’re going to swim, sweat, or steam, don’t bring your jewelry with you! It’s common for people to keep a pair of earrings on in the pool or wear a ring in the shower. But moisture, as well as the pool chlorine, (and even the pH of your sweat!) can discolor your jewelry. In addition, it provides plenty of opportunities for your favorite items to get lost or broken.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Keep a small cloth jewelry bag in your gym or swim bag to have a safe place to store your jewelry before workouts.
• Place a ring bowl by the bathroom sink to remind you to remove your jewelry before showering or washing your hands.
• Wear your pieces only during dry activities and dry places—that means taking them off when gardening, cooking, playing sports, and cleaning.

Precious metals, colored gems, and pearls are very sensitive to chemicals. That can include even the products you put on your skin.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Be careful especially of pearls and porous gems—they can have permanent surface damage from some cosmetic chemicals.
• Make sure that your skin is completely dry after applying any sprays before putting jewelry on. 
• If your precious metals become exposed to any chemicals, immediately rinse and wash off any residue with a gentle cloth.
• Avoid leaving your jewelry on chemically treated surfaces or on wood which can stain or speed up the tarnishing process.
• Avoid exposing to sunlight for too long as gemstones will become dull or discolor.

When not in use, keeping your jewelry in careful storage can help prevent damage and discoloration. Storing jewelry together can get them entangled with one another, which risks scratches on soft gems or broken links on necklaces. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Keep padded boxes or cloth bag pouches that new jewelry comes in.
• Look for jewelry storage that allows you to have some separation between pieces to avoid tangling or damage, such as with padded ring boxes with individual slots.
• Use a padded box or cloth bag to keep pieces separate from other items when traveling. 
• If keeping pieces in long-term storage, seal them in vacuum storage pouches to keep moisture and air out.
• Over time, your jewelry comes in contact with moisture and air which causes it to eventually tarnish. Put it in a ziplock bag and squeeze out all the air before sealing.
• Chalk absorbs moisture, or if you find that dusty,  invest in some dehumidifiers or silica packs.
• Keep gold jewelry separately from jewelry as Gold scratches easily. Keep them in individual soft cloth bags or the original boxes they came it.

Caring for you jewelry is an important part of maintaining its value and beauty. From diamond engagement rings to fashion jewelry, every items looks better and lasts longer when you know how to take great care of it. Use your judgment and take your time, and you'll keep your jewelry wardrobe looking as good as new.

High quality jewelry that is meant to last often comes with a larger price tag. You can save money when you avoid the costs to replace or buy new pieces for every occasion. Following proper care steps for your jewelry is a great way to extend its lifespan.

Whether it’s fine or costume jewelry, there’s always a sentimental reason behind every piece of jewelry you buy, and you’ll want to wear it forever. Here are some quick and easy tips to take care of your jewelry to prevent tarnishing, scratches and dullness.

Hypo allergy is a biggest problem for costume jewelry. Try applying a thin layer of clear nail polish on any part of the jewelry that comes into contact with your skin.

While regular storage is important, travel storage is even more essential. Tossing your jewelry in a toiletry bag or suitcase can cause a great deal of damage. You can protect your pieces by using specially designed travel jewelry cases or jewelry rolls that will keep you special items safe and tangle-free.

As you wear and store your jewelry, it's easy for pieces to get dirty and damaged. Before you put on a pair of earrings or a necklace, take a good look at the item. Then you can identify those pieces that need cleaning or repair.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• If it has a clasp, is the clasp secure?
• Are the stones set solidly in the piece? Do they wiggle at all?
• Is the item sparkling and beautiful, or is it starting to get dirty?
• Are there scratches or other areas of damage?
• Does the items have tarnish or other finish issues?

Cleaning and minor repairs are something most people can accomplish at home; however, there are some repairs that are best left to professional jewelers. If you encounter the following issues, take your jewelry to someone who can help:

• Loose gems in fine jewelry or vintage costume pieces
• Deep scratches
• Dust or dirt build-up you can't reach
• Broken clasps or chain links
• Lost parts

Before you try to clean any of your jewelry items, it's essential that you know about the materials used in constructing your treasures. There are very different procedures for cleaning diamonds or zirconia rings and pearl jewelry, for instance. Certain types of costume jewelry should never be submerged in water, while special mild polishes can restore the shine to sterling silver necklaces.

Examine your jewelry for information about the materials in it. Often, you'll find a stamp on the back or inside of a piece that may tell you the metal content. Make a note of the gems or other materials when you purchase new pieces. That way, you'll know what to do when you need to clean your items.

Item descriptionIt's helpful to have all your jewelry care supplies in one place so you can clean and repair your items without having to hunt down the necessary tools and materials. You can create a simple jewelry care kit using a small plastic storage container. Place the following items inside:

• Gentle, jewelry-safe silver polish for sterling silver or silver-plated items
• Commercial jewelry cleaners for diamonds, precious metals, and some gems
• Soft-bristled brush for getting into crevices
• Soft chamois cloth for polishing and drying
• Glue for reattaching gems to inexpensive costume jewelry
• Rubbing alcohol for hard gems and metals
• Q-tips for polishing hard-to-reach spots
• Tweezers for removing lint or resetting costume jewelry stones