Tips for caring for jewellery
Caring for jewellery is the simplest way to preserve its beauty over time. Its preservation depends largely on everyday, mindful habits.
In this article by The Red House, as jewellery specialists, you will find recommendations for caring for jewellery and preventing damage over time.
Care for your jewellery in your daily routine
The best care for your jewellery starts with your daily routine, put on your jewellery only once you have finished getting ready. Perfume, cream, make-up and hairspray should always come first. Their formulae leave residues that, over time, reduce the shine, dull the metal and wear down the finishes on earrings, rings, and necklaces. When you put them on at the end, the piece stays clean, bright and true to its original appearance.
And just as important as putting them on properly is knowing when to take them off. Remove your jewellery when showering, swimming or going to the beach, and also when cleaning, doing sport, gardening and doing household chores to avoid wear, especially if you wear bracelets or rings, which suffer the most day to day.
Finally, be careful with knocks and scratches. With rings and bracelets, constant contact with surfaces and everyday movements can scratch metals (for example white gold or rose gold), so it is advisable to take extra care.
Clean your jewellery gently
Cleaning jewellery at home can be suitable if it is done with gentleness and good judgement. For many gold pieces and pieces with hard-wearing stones, lukewarm water and mild soap are usually enough, applied gently to remove everyday residues without forcing the material.
Between cleanings, soft cloths designed specifically for jewellery are an effective and safe solution, especially for maintaining the shine of the metal and removing fingerprints. After any cleaning, thorough drying is essential. Moisture retained in clasps, chains or settings encourages the build-up of residues and, over time, can affect the finish.
How often to clean jewellery
How often you should clean your jewellery depends on how you use it; if you wear it every day, a gentle clean every one or two weeks with a microfibre cloth is usually enough.
If you only wear them on special occasions, cleaning them once or twice a year is fine, as long as you store them dry, separated and in a place without humidity. And if they have set stones or are important pieces, a professional check every 6 to 12 months helps to maintain the shine and the security of the setting.
Avoid chemical or abrasive products
Abrasive products and certain “home methods” can scratch metals, affect finishes and damage sensitive gemstones. It is also a mistake to apply generic cleaning methods without considering the material, as not all stones tolerate the same treatment.
Prolonged exposure to water, chlorine or salt is another of the most common causes of loss of shine and wear, especially if it is repeated frequently.
Store your jewellery properly
Storing a piece of jewellery properly is an essential part of daily care. It is advisable to keep each piece separate to avoid rubbing and tangling.
A dry, well-protected space, such as an anti-tarnish bag or cloth, helps to preserve the shine and reduces darkening, especially on silver. Whenever possible, use fabric-lined cases or individual compartments, which bring order and real protection against knocks and friction.
Identify when it is best to turn to a specialist.
There are situations in which it is preferable not to handle the piece of jewellery at home. If a stone is loose, the clasp does not work properly, the piece has taken a knock or it is an especially delicate piece, it is most advisable to entrust its care to a jewellery specialist.
At our jewellery shop in Gibraltar, The Red House, we advise you on choosing your ideal piece of jewellery, the care needed for its proper preservation.
