Your jewelry is important to you; as with anything that you care about, you must take good care of it. Taking proper care of your jewelry ensures that it not only looks like quality but that it also remains in top quality condition for a long time.

Some basic hints to care for your jewelry include wiping it off after each time you wear it. Using a gentle cloth made of a soft material, such as cotton, will help to remove the natural oils found on your skin that may have transferred onto the jewelry. A polishing cloth or one that is 100 percent cotton is ideal. Any other blend of material, such as polyester or wool contains coarse materials that may scratch your metal. These should be avoided.

For fingerprints or a small amount of dirt, make a mixture of gentle soap and warm water. Soak your jewelry for several minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm running water. Make sure that your jewelry is completely dry before you store it. You can use a lint-free cloth to dry, buff, and shine your jewelry.

Never use chlorine or bleach on your jewelry, and remove all jewelry if you are cleaning using any product that contains chlorine. The harsh chemical nature of chlorine will cause the metal in your jewelry to break down in such a way that cannot be reversed or repaired. Other substances to avoid include ammonia, acetone, turpentine, and alcohol.

Silver jewelry will most likely require a special cleaner and polish to remove any tarnish. Use only a soft cloth on silver pieces and be sure to rub them gently since silver is highly prone to denting and scratching. Wearing silver jewelry more frequently helps to keep it from tarnishing.

When storing your jewelry, it’s best to keep your pieces separated to avoid scratching. Diamonds can be scratched by other diamonds and should therefore be kept separate from each other. Pearls are very soft and susceptible to scratching. They should be stored in a fabric wrap rather than plastic. Beaded necklaces should be stored flat to avoid stretching. Extremely delicate pieces should be wrapped in jeweler’s tissue paper and kept in separate bags or compartments. If the jewelry came with a bag or box when you purchased it, it is a good idea to store it in the same or similar packaging. Keep your jewelry out of direct sunlight and avoid extreme temperatures.

It is a good idea to remove your jewelry when cleaning or working with any type of chemicals. You should also remove your jewelry when gardening, doing repair work, lifting weights, playing contact sports, swimming, or sitting in a hot tub. Put on your jewelry after applying makeup and hairspray as the chemicals in these substances could harm your jewelry.