Fine Jewellery Care Tips

Fine jewellery is as much an investment as a precious, treasured possession and needs to be treated with the up most care to ensure that it lasts a lifetime.

To guarantee that your jewels stay in the finest condition we've compiled some of our top tips for you, focusing on how to care for your diamonds, coloured stones and precious metals.

General Jewellery Care Tips

-       Ensure that your jewellery is stored in a clean, cool dry place

-       Be aware that jewellery, if stored together can become scratched.  To avoid this, keep individual pieces separate, either in different compartments, boxes or wrapped in soft tissue paper.

-       When removing jewellery from your person, be careful not to place it anywhere that it can be lost or damaged, especially on the edge of a sink!

-       At Hatton Jewels we are happy to aid you in the cleaning and/or re-polishing of your jewellery.  We recommend cleaning every six months.  This can either be done using an ultrasonic cleaning machine or steaming machine to remove everyday dirt and grime.

-       At Hatton Jewels we also recommend visiting us to check the setting for any loose claws to avoid losing any stones.  This should be done at least once a year or if your jewellery received any knocks.

Diamond Jewellery

We’re sure you’ll agree that there’s no precious stone quite like a diamond!  Popularly used in engagement rings, wedding bands, studs and pendants, many people wear their diamonds as their everyday jewellery.  Though a very durable substance, diamonds do still require proper maintenance to avoid them becoming smudged, soiled or dusty. 

Cosmetics, soaps and even the natural oils in our skin can cause a film to coat the stone, thus dulling the sparkle where there is less light entering and exiting the stone.

-       Avoid wearing your diamond jewellery, especially rings when carrying our rough work.  Despite being one of the hardest natural materials, a sudden, sharp blow can still cause the stone to chip.

-       Don’t expose your diamonds to chlorine, bleach or household chemicals as this can discolour your jewellery.  Also ensure that you remove your diamond jewellery before entering chlorinated water.

-       Diamonds can be cleaned at home using commercial jewellery cleaner, an ammonia and water mix or a mild detergent.  Apply the cleaner using a soft brush do dislodge and remove dust and dirt that may have gathered the setting.  Alternatively we can professionally clean your diamonds at Hatton Jewels.

Precious Coloured Gemstones

There is a wide range of bright and beautiful coloured gemstones, some of which require more attention and specific care than others.  Below we've detailed general care for coloured stones as well as steps that should be taken with more fragile jewels.

-       Some natural gemstones may have been subjected to treatment or enhancement from the point of extraction from the earth.  These treatments are traditionally accepted jewellery industry practices.  Should you need more information about how to care for a treated stone, please contact us at info@hattonjewels.com.

-       When removed from your person, simply wipe your stone with a slightly damp, soft, clean cloth.  This should help to restore the stone lustre and ensure that it is clean prior to storing.

-       As you would with any fine jewellery, keep pieces in individual soft pouches, boxes or wrapped in soft tissue.

-       Avoid exposing your precious/semiprecious gemstone to salt water, harsh chemicals, chlorine and detergents.  Over time these can erode the finish and polish of your stone.

-       Always apply cosmetics, perfumes and hairspray before your jewellery.  Failure to do so may cause the stones to become dulled. 

-       Make sure to wipe gemstones after wearing to remove any chemicals, oils or perspiration that it may have come into contact with.

-       Avoid subjecting your gemstones to sudden changes in temperature.

-       If you own Emeralds, please make sure to take extra care as they are amongst the most brittle gemstones.  Avoid wearing when carrying out household chores or any other activities where they may become damaged or come into contact with hard surfaces.

-       Avoid dropping emerald jewellery as this may cause the stone to shatter or chip.

Cultured Pearls

Pearls are amongst the most delicate precious jewels and should be treated with great care.  Cultured Pearls are formed when an irritant is introduced into a mollusc which causes it to secrete a substance called nacre which covers the irritant and produces the pearl. Nacre gives pearls the rainbow of colours and lustre that makes these gemstones so treasured, but its delicate nature also makes pearls particularly susceptible to damage. For this reason you should be extra careful with your cultured pearl jewellery.

-       Always apply cosmetics, perfumes and hairspray before your jewellery.  Failure to do so may cause the stones to become damaged. 

-       When removed from your person, simply wipe your pearls with a slightly damp, soft, clean cloth.  This should help to restore the stone lustre and ensure that it is clean prior to storing.

-       You can also wash your pearl jewellery with mild soap and water. Do not clean cultured pearls with any chemicals, abrasives or solvents. These substances can damage your pearls.

-       Ensure that pearl jewellery is stored carefully in a box, pouch or in tissue paper and separate from other pieces of jewellery.  A pearl's surface is soft and can be scratched by hard metal edges or by the harder gemstones of other jewellery pieces.

For further reference see the below chart detailing care for precious gemstones and pearls:

Caring for your Gold Jewellery

Gold jewellery comes in many different carat weights and colours but the most common are 18ct yellow gold and 18ct white gold.  Despite this, the cleaning and care of gold remains similar across the majority of different types.

-       Ensure removal of gold jewellery before washing or cleaning.  Soaps tend to cause a film over gold which can dull its appearance.  By preventing this from building up, the need for cleaning will reduce.

-       Commercial precious metal cleaners can be used on your gold jewellery as well as using a soft chamois cloth.  This is a cost effective way of bringing back the shine to your gold.

-       If your gold jewellery doesn't contain coloured gemstones, ultrasonic machines can be used to clean it.  This can be done at Hatton Jewels.

-       Avoid contact with chlorine.  At a high temperature, chlorine can also permanently damage and discolour your gold jewellery.  Due to this we would recommend removing jewellery whilst using chlorine bleach or whilst in a chlorinated pool.

-       To remove any tarnish on your gold jewellery at home, you can simply use soap and water mixed with a few drops of ammonia.  Carefully brush the solution onto the jewellery a soft bristle brush or toothbrush.  After brushing, rinse with lukewarm water and allow time to dry.  For heavier tarnishes, please feel free to contact Hatton Jewels as we can consult with you as to the best cleaning procedure.

-       If your gold jewellery becomes soiled with grease, it can be removed by dipping into plain rubbing alcohol.  Avoid doing this if the jewellery is set with coloured gemstones.

Caring for your Platinum Jewellery

Platinum is a popular metal choice for fine jewellery due to both its rarity and its durability. It is also tarnish resistant and won’t discolour when exposed to chlorine and other chemicals.  Despite the durability of platinum compared to other precious metals, caution still need to be taken over the care of platinum jewellery.

-       Platinum jewellery can be cleaned the same way as other precious metals (see above). A professional cleaning is recommended every six months to keep your platinum jewellery in the best condition.

-       Take care to store platinum jewellery carefully and separately, without allowing pieces to touch each other because platinum, though durable, can be scratched.

-       Signs of wear can eventually appear on platinum. However, due to the metal's durability there is usually little metal loss from the scratch. If visible scratches do appear, please contact Hatton Jewels to arrange a re-polish of your ring.

With careful care and maintenance following the tips above, you’ll be sure to keep your fine jewellery looking pristine for a lifetime and beyond!