Fine jewelry is an investment — both financial and emotional. Like any investment, it performs best when it receives proper care. Yet many people treat their jewelry as indestructible, wearing precious pieces through activities and environments that gradually degrade their appearance and structural integrity. A little knowledge about jewelry care can extend the life and beauty of your pieces significantly.
Erik Peterson, owner of Legacy Jewelers & Estate Buyers in Simpsonville, regularly advises customers on jewelry care and sees firsthand the difference that proper maintenance makes.
The most universal rule of jewelry care is simple: put it on last and take it off first. When getting dressed, jewelry should be the final thing you put on — after applying lotions, perfumes, hairspray, and sunscreen. These products contain chemicals that can dull metals, cloud gemstones, and weaken certain settings. When undressing, jewelry should be the first thing you remove.
Summer presents specific challenges. Chlorine in swimming pools can damage gold alloys, particularly white gold, by weakening the metal and causing discoloration. Saltwater at the beach poses similar risks, and sand can scratch softer metals and gemstones. Sunscreen and insect repellent create films that dull jewelry's appearance. The best practice for summer is to remove fine jewelry before swimming, applying sunscreen, or engaging in outdoor activities.
Fall and winter bring different concerns. Cold weather causes fingers to shrink, increasing the risk of rings slipping off. Gloves can catch on prongs and settings, potentially loosening stones. Holiday cooking and cleaning expose jewelry to chemicals.
Cleaning your jewelry at home is appropriate for routine maintenance. For gold and platinum, a gentle solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap is safe and effective. Soak for fifteen to twenty minutes, then use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean around stones and in crevices. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Avoid harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, and ultrasonic machines for pieces with delicate settings or porous stones like pearls, opals, or emeralds.
Silver requires slightly different care due to tarnishing. A silver polishing cloth is the safest option for removing mild tarnish. For heavier tarnish, a gentle silver cleaning solution can be used following manufacturer's instructions.
Professional cleaning is recommended at least once or twice a year, and Legacy Jewelers provides this service. Professional cleaning goes beyond home methods, using specialized equipment to restore pieces to like-new condition. Erik also performs visual inspections during cleanings, checking for loose stones, worn prongs, weakened clasps, and other issues.
Storage is critical but often overlooked. Jewelry pieces should be stored individually to prevent scratching — diamonds can scratch gold, gold can scratch silver, and tangled chains develop kinks and weak points. Soft cloth pouches, individual compartments in a jewelry box, or small bags all work well. For gemstone pieces, store away from direct sunlight to preserve color.
Regular professional inspections at Legacy Jewelers can catch small problems before they become expensive repairs. A prong wearing thin can be retipped for a modest cost, but if left unaddressed, the stone could fall out and be lost — a far more expensive outcome. Erik recommends annual inspections for daily-wear pieces.
Taking care of fine jewelry is not complicated, but it requires awareness and consistency. Visit Legacy Jewelers at 3725 Grandview Drive in Simpsonville, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for professional cleaning, inspection, or any care questions.
