All jewellery soon gets worn, colours fade and the stones get scratched as we wear it - precious keepsakes with sentimental value and fashion jewellery used to brighten up outfits. How can you prevent it getting tarnished and dull day after day? Follow our advice for looking after your jewellery and restoring life to it.
On a daily basis
Take off your jewellery whenever you’re in contact with water or a source of intense heat. Even on the beach, take your jewellery off: you don’t want to end up with a stone bleached pale by the sun. Make sure you remove your jewellery when you’re exercising, as knocks can damage metal and stones.
Tip: to prevent friction, only wear one ring on each finger.
Advice on looking after metal yourself
Gold and platinum:
Don't use ammonia, iodine or mercury - simply clean your jewellery with soapy water or alcohol.
Silver:
Simply clean it with a soft brush and a little bit of soapy water or lemon juice. Rinse with hot water then get it looking shiny with chamois leather. If it’s dirty, soak it in water for 15 minutes with 5% bicarbonate of soda added, or use water and washing-up liquid.
Warning: never use solvents, abrasives or products that are designed to clean silver cutlery. The jewellery will wear too soon. Also, never use scouring pads, only gentle materials!
Looking after gemstones
First of all, check with your jeweller whether you can clean your stone normally or whether it requires special cleaning. Gemstones are generally cleaned using soapy water and a soft brush. Wipe afterwards with a soft cloth, and for maximum shine, soak it for a few seconds in alcohol.
Diamond, ruby and sapphire
Diamond is the hardest gemstone and can only be scratched by another diamond. It can, however, lose its shine on contact with abrasive substances. Make sure you don’t store it with other precious stones as this can easily tarnish them. The same applies to ruby and sapphire.
Emerald
Emerald is the most sensitive precious stone. Avoid exposure to the sun and contact with detergents at all costs. It's very sensitive to thermal shocks, so take it off when you’re off skiing and de-icing your car! Never use soap and water to clean emeralds. Ask your jeweller for advice.
Pearls
Pearls are alive and can last for more than a hundred years! They keep their shine because of air and their epidermis. They’re quite resistant to knocks but their surface can change because it’s porous. Cultured pearls require special attention. They can become tarnished by skin salts and especially by oil. Make sure they don't come into contact with creams,
foundations,
perfume or other overly acidic products. Wipe them with a silk or very soft cloth.
Aquamarine
This stone is sensitive to knocks, intense heat and big temperature changes. Clean it with warm soapy water, without rubbing, and rinse with warm water.
Amethyst
Amethyst isn’t fragile, but it is sensitive to intense heat and big temperature changes.
Garnet and tourmaline
These don’t require any particular care.
Moonstone
Moonstone is a fragile stone and prone to splitting if it takes a knock. Clean with warm water without rubbing, and rinse with warm water.
Topaz
Topaz is a resistant stone but prone to splitting if it receives a hard knock. It’s sensitive to thermal shocks. Clean with warm soapy water, without rubbing, and rinse with warm water.
Storing your jewellery
The main rule to remember is to store each of your pieces of jewellery in little bags that slide into your jewellery box without touching each other. You can also wrap them up in silk or leather material to protect them. Chains and necklaces should be fastened, laid flat and wrapped up. Never place several pieces of jewellery together without something in between them. If you're travelling, wrap your jewellery in pieces of silk paper.
Looking after your jewellery
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