Caring for Your Pieces
The Jewelry Care Guide
Fine, vintage, and antique jewelry is made to last for generations - with a little care. Here is how to keep every piece looking its best, and when to let us help.
Why It Matters
A little care goes a long way
Well-kept jewelry holds its beauty - and its value - for a lifetime.
Every piece we sell is chosen to be worn and loved. With simple, regular care, gold keeps its glow, gemstones stay bright, and delicate antique settings stay secure. This guide covers the everyday basics and the specifics for each kind of piece - and remember, you are always welcome to bring anything in for a complimentary look.
Everyday Care
The simple habits
Do
Take jewelry off before showering, swimming, or cleaning- Store each piece separately to prevent scratches
- Clean gently with warm water and a drop of mild soap
- Put jewelry on last - after lotion, perfume, and hairspray
- Have prongs and clasps checked about once a year
Take jewelry off before showering, swimming, or cleaningAvoid
Chlorine, bleach, and harsh household chemicals- Wearing delicate pieces while sleeping or exercising
- Ultrasonic cleaners on soft, porous, or treated stones
- Storing pearls in airtight plastic bags
- Leaving a loose stone or clasp - bring it in early
Chlorine, bleach, and harsh household chemicalsBy Material
Care for every kind of piece
Different materials ask for slightly different care. Add the ones you carry as cards below.
Gold
Clean with warm water and a drop of mild soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and dry with a soft cloth. Keep gold away from chlorine, which can weaken it over time.
Silver
Silver tarnishes naturally with air and moisture. Wear it often, wipe with a soft polishing cloth, and store it in a cool, dry place - ideally in an anti-tarnish pouch.
Diamonds & Hard Stones
Durable but not invincible. A soft brush, warm water, and mild soap keep them brilliant. Have settings checked yearly so a loose stone is caught early.
Soft & Treated Stones
Opal, turquoise, emerald, and many treated stones are porous or delicate. Avoid heat, ultrasonic cleaners, and chemicals - wipe gently with a soft, damp cloth only.
Pearls
Pearls are organic and soft. Put them on last and take them off first, wipe after wearing, and keep them away from perfume and hairspray. Restring every few years of regular wear.
Vintage & Antique
Older settings can be delicate and may hold past repairs. Clean very gently, skip ultrasonic cleaners, and let us inspect anything fragile before it is worn often.
Let Us Help
Professional care, in-house
Some care is best left to expert hands - and ours have thirty years of practice.
Bring any piece to the boutique for a complimentary cleaning and inspection. If something needs more, Dimitria can advise on and arrange the right care - from securing a loose stone to refreshing a piece that has been loved for decades.
- Complimentary cleaning & inspection
- Prong re-tipping & stone tightening
- Clasp & chain repair
- Pearl & bead restringing
- Ring resizing
- Vintage & antique restoration