Jewellery Care Essentials | Tips to Keep Your Gems & Precious Pieces Looking Stunning
Jewellery Care: Preserving the Beauty of Your Gold and Platinum Gemstone Jewellery
At CL Jewellery, we want your gold and platinum gemstone jewellery to maintain its stunning appearance for years to come. Proper care and regular maintenance are essential for keeping your pieces in top condition. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you care for your 9k, 14k, and 18k gold, as well as platinum jewellery.
General Care Tips
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Always remove your jewellery before using cleaning products, swimming, or engaging in activities that involve chemicals. This helps prevent damage to both the metal and gemstones.
- Store Properly: Keep your jewellery in a clean, dry place. Use a jewellery box with soft linings or individual pouches to avoid scratches and tangling. For added protection, store each piece separately.
- Remove Before Activities: Always remove your jewellery before engaging in hand activities, such as cleaning, gardening, or other tasks. This helps prevent impacts with hard surfaces, which can cause scratches, damage the metal, or dislodge gemstones. It also helps avoid potential damage to the settings and prevent the loss of stones.
- Apply Last: Put on your jewellery piece after applying makeup, perfume, and other beauty products to avoid exposure to chemicals that could dull its shine.
- Avoid Water Exposure: Remove your jewellery before swimming, showering, or visiting a spa. Water and chemicals can affect the metal and gemstones, leading to tarnish, damage, or weakening of the settings.
- Regular Checks: Always have your jewellery piece checked regularly by a professional to ensure that settings are secure and gemstones are firmly in place. This helps prevent potential loss or damage.
- Gold and Platinum Cleaning: For all your gold and platinum jewellery, use a mild soap and lukewarm water solution. Soak briefly, then use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean any dirt or residue. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
- Avoid Abrasive Cleaners: Refrain from using harsh or abrasive cleaners as they can scratch the surface of your jewellery. Instead, opt for a soft cloth or a jewellery-specific polishing cloth to maintain its shine.
- 9k Gold: This alloyed gold is durable, but it’s still important to clean it regularly to maintain its shine. The alloyed metals in 9k gold can cause it to accumulate dirt, so a periodic clean will help keep it looking its best.
- 14k Gold: Over time, 14k gold may develop tarnish. Use a gold polishing cloth designed for 14k gold to restore its luster. Regular checks by a professional jeweller can help ensure settings are secure and the piece is in good condition.
- 18k Gold: This higher-purity gold is softer and more prone to scratches. Be cautious during activities that may cause damage. Store it separately to avoid scratches, and use a gentle soap solution for cleaning.
- White Gold: White gold jewellery often has a rhodium plating to enhance its shine and protect against tarnish. Over time, this plating may wear off and require re-plating to maintain its bright white finish. Regular maintenance by a jeweller can ensure your white gold pieces stay looking their best.
- Cleaning Platinum: Platinum is highly durable and resistant to tarnish. Clean it using a mild soap and water solution, and dry with a soft cloth. While platinum doesn’t tarnish, it can develop a natural patina. This can be polished to restore its original shine if desired.
- Professional Maintenance: Periodically inspect your platinum jewellery to ensure that gemstones and settings are secure. Professional cleaning and polishing can help maintain its brilliance.
- Cleaning Gemstones: Different gemstones have specific cleaning requirements. Generally, a mild soap and water solution with a soft brush is safe for most stones. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for delicate gemstones. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
- Avoid Impact: Protect your gemstones from sharp impacts and abrasive surfaces. Store jewellery with gemstones separately to prevent scratches and potential damage.