The easiest care is prevention. Put jewelry on last — after perfume, hairspray, and lotions — and take it off first. Remove rings before gardening, gym workouts, swimming, and washing dishes. Chlorine is a real enemy: it can discolor gold and even damage some gemstones.
- Last on, first off — jewelry goes on after cosmetics and perfume
- No chlorine or hot tubs — chemicals damage gold alloys
- Remove rings for heavy work — prongs catch and bend
- Wipe pieces with a soft cloth after wearing to remove skin oils
Most diamond, sapphire, and gold jewelry cleans beautifully in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Soak for ten minutes, gently brush behind the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and pat dry. That's it — no special equipment needed.
Important exceptions: never soak pearls, opals, turquoise, or inlay work. These materials are porous or assembled with adhesive — wipe them gently with a barely damp cloth instead. When in doubt, bring it in; we're happy to clean and inspect your pieces at either showroom, complimentary.
Store pieces separately so they don't scratch each other — diamonds will happily scratch everything they touch, including other diamonds. Soft pouches or lined compartments are ideal. Chains store best fastened and laid flat to prevent tangling. Keep pearls in a soft cloth pouch where they can breathe; airtight plastic dries them out.
Prongs wear down and clasps weaken slowly — you won't notice until a stone is lost. We recommend a professional inspection every six to twelve months: we check every prong and stone under magnification, tighten what's loose, and give the piece a professional ultrasonic clean. It takes a few minutes and can save a stone.
If you notice a stone rattling, a prong snagging fabric, or a clasp that doesn't snap firmly, stop wearing the piece and bring it in — call (505) 883-8078 or visit Old Town or Uptown.
