An old saying claims that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. While not all women can claim as incredible love of all things sparkly and shiny as others, jewelry is no doubt an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe. From engagement and wedding rings to go-to necklaces and earrings to wear to formal events, a woman must always have a fine collection of jewelry to wear for any occasion.
Those with richer and more fashionable tastes may even opt to eschew plain gold and silver jewelry and instead opt for high-end options like large diamonds, emeralds, rubies, or sapphires. Given that these cost a small fortune, it is important that these are well taken care of. This includes regularly cleaning, maintaining, and retouching your pieces of jewelry. While this may be done at home, it is also possible to let professional jewelers handle this important process.
Here is everything you need to know about jewelry cleaning and maintenance:
Why do I need to clean my jewelry?
Naturally, the first reason to keep jewelry clean is that doing so keeps them looking sparkly and lustrous, which is exactly the purpose of jewelry. As dirt accumulates on the surfaces of the stones of your jewelry sets, the finish of these will be dulled as the dirt obscures the luster underneath. Furthermore, excess dirt and debris on gemstones make them more prone to scratching and other forms of external damage.
Beyond the aesthetics, however, there are even more serious reasons to regularly have your jewelry cleaned. Dirty and unkempt jewelry can become a haven for bacteria. This also applies to jewelry that is regularly used and thus exposed to a multitude of pollutants. Once bacteria accumulate on your jewelry, this may lead to you experiencing skin irritation and allergies when you wear them, which will definitely only add to your discomfort.
Why should I have a professional clean my jewelry?
While it is possible to regularly clean your jewelry at home, it is recommended that you still take them to a professional jeweler to have them cleaned at least once a year, especially for jewelry that you wear fairly regularly. A professional jeweler can probably reach the small spots that you have missed, as well as spot some excess dirt and possible damage that an untrained eye cannot. At the same time, professionals may offer you special cleaning and maintenance tips that are specific to the jewelry that you own.
No matter which professional you consult, it is important that they are knowledgeable with the specific type of jewelry that you own; for example, some specialize in high-end jewelry, while others do so in antiques. It is also beneficial to build a good relationship with the jeweler of your choice so that you feel confident in going to them no matter what.
How is jewelry cleaned?
Generally, if you want to clean your jewelry at home, the best way to do so is to simply wash the jewelry in using soap and water, and then use a small brush to scrub off any dirt before performing a final rinse and drying them off. Some gemstones, such as diamonds, might require special chemicals to truly get them cleaned, while others, such as pearls, are more brittle and thus should never be exposed to liquids.
Before you choose to clean fine jewelry at home, it is best to consult a professional jeweler first on what is the best way to go about cleaning them. This way, you can be sure that you will not do anything to damage your jewelry.
