This guide organizes all jewelry care information by topic for clarity, ease of reference, and customer education.

1. General Wear & Daily Care

Best Practices for Everyday Wear

• Put jewelry on last when getting ready and remove it first at the end of the day.

• Avoid sleeping in rings, bracelets, or necklaces to prevent stress on prongs, chains, and settings.

• Keep a designated dish or pouch nearby when removing jewelry.

Physical Activity & Lifestyle

• Remove jewelry before showering, cooking, gardening, cleaning, or exercising.

• Avoid wearing jewelry during sports, workouts, or lifting to reduce impact damage and stone loosening.

2. Chemical, Heat & Environmental Exposure

Chemicals & Products

• Remove jewelry before using cleaning products or hand sanitizer.

• Avoid lotions, perfumes, hairsprays, makeup, and sunscreen while wearing jewelry.

• Remove jewelry before swimming in pools or hot tubs.

Heat & Sunlight

• Certain gemstones, including amethyst, kunzite, and opal, are sensitive to prolonged heat and sunlight.

• Store jewelry away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

3. Cleaning & Brilliance Maintenance

Cloudy or Dull Diamonds and Gemstones

• Dull or cloudy stones are most often caused by buildup from soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, makeup, sunscreen, dead skin, and natural oils.

• Avoid touching gemstones directly to minimize oil transfer.

• Remove jewelry before applying personal care products.

At-Home Cleaning

• Diamond and gold jewelry may be cleaned as often as needed.

• Use warm water, mild dish soap with a degreaser, and a soft toothbrush.

• Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Professional Cleaning

• Professional cleanings and inspections are available complimentary for life.

• In-store cleaning includes ultrasonic cleaning with degreasers, followed by high-powered steam cleaning.

4. Storage & Handling

Proper Storage

• Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or individual compartment.

• Prevent stacking, tangling, or pressure on delicate items.

Handling Jewelry

• Always handle jewelry by the band or chain, not the gemstone.

• Avoid unnecessary pulling or bending of settings or chains.

5. Special Care by Jewelry Type

Herringbone Chains

• Extremely delicate and prone to kinking.

• Must always be laid flat.

• Never bend, twist, stack, hang, or layer with other necklaces.

• Kinks are often permanent and may not be repairable.

Hollow or Semi-Hollow Hoop Earrings

• Lightweight by design and easily damaged.

• Must be stored flat with nothing placed on top.

• Dents or crushing are permanent and not repairable.

Butterfly, Push Back & Tension Earring Backs

• Naturally loosen over time with wear.

• If earrings slide on too easily, they require adjustment.

• In most cases, tension can be restored by a master jeweler.

Tennis Bracelet Clasps

• Clasps may loosen with frequent use.

• If the clasp feels easier to open or close, bring it in immediately for retightening.

Floating Diamond Rings

• Extremely delicate settings with minimal prong coverage.

• Stones are more vulnerable to impact and loosening.

• Recommended inspections every 3 months or at the first sign of movement.

Solid High-Polish Rings

• Low maintenance and suitable for daily wear.

• Surface scratches are normal over time.

• Includes one complimentary polishing for yellow gold and platinum, and one complimentary rhodium plating for white gold.

6. Skin Discoloration & Irritation

Jewelry Turning Skin Green or Black

• Most commonly caused by skin acidity or buildup trapped between the skin and jewelry.

• Soap residue, oils, dirt, and moisture can create a temporary chemical reaction.

• This discoloration is harmless and does not indicate a defect in the jewelry.

Skin Irritation or Rashes

• Typically caused by moisture or product buildup trapped against the skin.

• Dry hands thoroughly after washing before putting jewelry back on.

• Remove jewelry during frequent hand washing or exposure to moisture.

7. Inspections, Repairs & Long-Term Care

Routine Inspections

• Regularly check for loose stones, worn prongs, or damage.

• Early detection helps prevent stone loss or major repairs.

Repairs

• If anything feels loose or appears damaged, stop wearing the piece and bring it in immediately.

8. Warranty, Lifetime Care & Insurance

Lifetime In-Store Care

• All jewelry includes complimentary lifetime professional cleanings, inspections, and prong retightening.

Warranty Coverage

• Warranty coverage is available for qualifying pieces. Please ask for full details.

Jewelers Mutual Lifetime Care Plan

• Covers routine maintenance such as resizing, prong retipping, and professional cleaning for life.

Jewelry Insurance

• For full protection against loss, theft, or accidental damage, jewelry insurance through Jewelers Mutual is strongly recommended.