Every piece of fine jewelry, especially an engagement ring or a treasured family heirloom, holds a unique story. These aren’t just accessories; they are significant investments in memory. You want that sparkle to last forever, right? The good news is that keeping treasured pieces brilliant and safe is much easier than you think.
This instruction set, written by the Master Jeweler at Rick Terry Jewelry Designs, the family-owned Knoxville expert since 1986, provides simple, actionable steps. Our goal is to help preserve the metal, maintain the spectacular brilliance of diamonds and gemstones, and prevent costly, heartbreaking repairs down the road. Proper care helps preserve the jewelry’s security, its shine, and its longevity for generations to come.
Daily Do’s and Don’ts: The Prevention Checklist
The single best method to extend the life of your jewelry is to practice prevention. Simple daily habits greatly reduce the common everyday wear and tear that chips stones and loosens settings.
A. When to Take It Off (The “Don’ts”)
- When using chemicals: Harsh household cleaners like bleach, chlorine in a pool, or abrasive scrubs can dull gold finishes and severely damage softer, porous stones like opals and pearls. Always remove rings before cleaning.
- During manual activities: Gardening, hitting the gym, heavy lifting, or such as baking bread can subject a ring to impacts and friction. These activities are the most common cause of bent shanks and loose settings.
- Before your beauty routine: Lotions, makeup, and hairspray create residue that quickly traps dirt against the stone, making it look hazy and dull.
B. Safe Storage Habits (The “Do’s”)
When removing jewelry, make sure it’s placed somewhere safe. Losing a stone due to misplacement is a tragedy.
- Keep them separated: Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth. This means they can readily scratch gold and other gemstones if stored in a tangled heap. For long-term jewelry safe storage, use fabric-lined boxes or individual soft pouches.
- Avoid heat: Never leave jewelry near a window or radiator, as prolonged heat can cause subtle damage to certain gemstones.
At-Home Cleaning Strategies
Regular, gentle at-home cleaning keeps the shinning between professional maintenance visits. There’s no need for fancy, expensive chemicals, our Master Jeweler recommends this simple, gentle method.
- Soak: Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot!) water and a few drops of mild, clear, non-lotion-based dish soap. Soak the piece for 20 to 40 minutes.
- Brush: Using a very soft-bristle toothbrush (a baby toothbrush works great), gently brush the back of the setting and under the prongs. This is where body oils and grime love to hide.
- Rinse: Rinse the jewelry thoroughly under cool, running water. Always plug the sink! Avoid losing a loose stone or a small earring down the drain.
- Dry: Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth or let it air dry.
What to AVOID!
- Can I use toothpaste to clean my ring?
Please don’t! Toothpaste contains abrasives that will cause tiny micro-scratches on the metal over time, dulling the finish and requiring premature jewelry refurbishing.
- What about harsh chemicals or ammonia?
These can severely damage the metals and certain softer stones used in antique or custom settings. Leave the strong stuff to the professionals who have full knowledge of the items they’re treating.
Rick Terry’s Protection & Next Steps
We created a Maintenance Plan to make long-term care easy. This is a straightforward, practical way to confirm custom-made pieces or heirlooms receive regular, scheduled expert upkeep. It offers complete peace of mind and saves money on minor repairs.
If a quick repair, a professional check-up, or a new custom piece is needed, the team at Rick Terry Jewelry Designs is here in Knoxville to help the treasures sparkle for generations.
Book your professional cleaning or custom design consultation with our Master Jeweler today!
