Protecting Your Fine Jewelry Investment - Arete Adorned

Protecting Your Fine Jewelry Investment

Your jewelry is an investment that, with proper care, can last beyond your own lifetime. But most people don't know the risks to fine jewelry created by common daily activities. Understanding these risks and knowing how to protect your jewelry can help preserve it for generations to come.

Precious and semi-precious gemstones, fragile crystals, minerals and geodes, and precious metals deserve special attention to maintain their beauty and integrity. And although, naturally, your jewelry is meant to be worn and loved, many common daily activities can secretly cause damage to your favorite pieces.

The Chemical Culprits in Your Daily Routine

Hand Soaps and Lotions

That luxurious hand soap by your sink might be doing more harm than you realize. Many soaps contain harsh chemicals that can:

  • Corrode metals, particularly silver and lower-karat gold

  • Create a dulling film on gemstones, reducing their brilliance

  • Gradually weaken the metal prongs holding gemstones in place (which can ultimately lead to loss of stones)

  • Erode certain porous stones like opals and pearls

Even if you use "clean" soaps that are free of harmful chemicals, it's always best to remove any rings and bracelets before handwashing and/or applying lotion. This not only protects your jewelry, but also wards against the buildup of bacteria in and around your jewelry.

Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Hazards

Chlorine is particularly aggressive toward precious metals and gems. Regular exposure can:

  • Discolor and weaken gold, particularly white gold

  • Erode the finish on platinum

  • Damage porous gems like pearls, opals, and emeralds

  • Attack the adhesives used in some settings

  • Cause metal settings to become brittle over time, leading to potential gemstone loss

Keep chlorine away from your jewelry at all costs! An experienced jeweler can always tell when a piece has been exposed to chlorine, and you could actually lose a priceless gemstone before anyone even notices.

Household Cleaning Products

Household cleaners are one of the most sinister threats to fine jewelry. Common household chemicals can:

  • Strip protective coatings from metals

  • Etch or pit softer gemstones

  • React with metals to cause discoloration

  • Dissolve crucial components of settings

  • Create microscopic cracks that weaken the overall structure of the piece

Just say no to wearing jewelry while cleaning!

Physical Damage Risks

Sports and Exercise

Athletic activity and jewelry are not friends. The very real risks to wearing jewelry during these activities include:

  • Bent prongs or cracked stones from impact sports

  • Scratched or dented rings from weight lifting

  • Loosened settings from running and high-impact activities

  • Snagged or broken delicate chains from yoga or pilates

  • Tarnishing and corrosion caused by sweat

Daily Activities

Even routine tasks can threaten jewelry integrity:

  • Gardening can scratch metals and stones

  • Cooking can expose jewelry to damaging heat

  • Sleeping with jewelry can cause bent prongs

  • Heavy lifting can deform rings

  • Direct sunlight can fade certain gemstones

Enjoy your life! Just keep your jewelry at home when you go to the gym, take care of work around the home, or retire for the night.

It's important to know that a warranty or insurance coverage for fine jewelry could be voided if you haven't properly stored and cared for your jewelry. Most reputable jewelers clearly state in their warranties that evidence of damage caused by any of the above will void the warranty, making you liable for the damage or loss of your beautiful piece.

The Hidden Health Risk: Bacteria and Jewelry

Another concern that often goes overlooked when wearing jewelry during everyday activities is bacterial growth. Jewelry can become an unintended haven for harmful bacteria, particularly when worn during handwashing. Here's why:

  • Settings and mountings create tiny crevices where bacteria can hide

  • Moisture can become trapped under stones and in detailed metalwork

  • Soap residue can create a film that actually protects bacteria

  • Regular hand washing doesn't effectively clean jewelry itself

  • Some materials can harbor bacteria for extended periods of time

Special Care for Specific Jewelry Materials

Caring for Delicate Gemstones

Some stones are very fragile and require extra care and attention to safeguard against damage. Here are the most common delicate gemstones and tips on the proper care.

Pearls

  • Extremely vulnerable to chemicals and acids

  • Should be wiped with a soft cloth after each wear

  • Store separately from other jewelry

  • Last piece to put on, first piece to take off

  • Avoid perfume, cosmetics, and hair products

Opals

  • Can crack if exposed to sudden temperature changes

  • Need some moisture to prevent crazing (a web of tiny fractures on the stone's surface when it dries out)

  • Should never be stored in dry places

  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners

  • Protect from direct sunlight

Emeralds

  • Avoid cleaners, which can remove the oils often used to treat these stones

  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners

  • Clean only with mild soap and soft brush

  • Fragile stones particularly vulnerable to impact

  • May need periodic professional rehydration

Caring for Precious Metals

Many people believe that a precious metal, such as solid gold or sterling silver, are infallible. But your precious metals still require special attention to maintain their beauty.

Silver

  • Naturally tarnishes when exposed to air

  • Store in airtight containers with anti-tarnish strips

  • Clean regularly with proper silver polish or a treated polishing cloth

  • Avoid rubber bands near silver pieces

  • Keep away from chlorine and sulfur

Gold:

  • The higher the karat, the purer the gold - making it softer and more prone to scratching

  • White gold is typically rhodium plated and may need periodic re-plating

  • Rose gold can tarnish in chlorine

  • Clean all gold ONLY with mild soap (such as Dawn) and warm water OR a professional cleaner from a reliable jeweler

  • Avoid harsh polishing compounds

Platinum:

  • More durable than gold but can still scratch

  • Develops a patina over time

  • Can be professionally refinished to restore shine

  • Safe in most chemicals

  • Maintains prong strength better than other metals

Get Professional Help

Schedule regular check-ups with a reputable jeweler to:

  • Inspect prongs and settings to check for loose gemstones

  • Professionally and safely clean hard-to-reach areas

  • Evaluate overall condition of the piece

  • Repair damage before it becomes severe

Make sure that you do your research before handing over your precious jewelry to a jeweler. Check out their customer reviews and ask about their insurance coverage so that you can feel confident that your jewelry is in good hands.

Remember, prevention is always less expensive than repair. Understanding these risks and taking these precautions will help ensure your precious jewelry remains beautiful and structurally sound for many years to come.

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