Caring for fine jewellery at home

Fine jewellery is built to be worn. It is also built to last several lifetimes, but only with a small amount of care. None of what follows is complicated.

Cleaning at home

For most pieces — diamond rings, gold and platinum settings — a small bowl of warm water with a drop of unperfumed washing-up liquid is all you need. Soak the piece for ten minutes, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to the underside of the setting where light dust collects. Rinse, then dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Do not use this method on pieces with porous stones — pearl, opal, turquoise, emerald — or on anything you are unsure about. When in doubt, bring it to us.

What to avoid

• Chlorine and harsh chemicals. Remove rings before swimming pools, hot tubs, or cleaning with bleach. Chlorine attacks the alloys in gold and platinum and will weaken prongs over time.
• Cosmetics, perfume and hairspray. Apply these before putting jewellery on, not after. The residue dulls metals and can build up under stones.
• Hard knocks. Diamonds are the hardest natural material on Earth, but they can chip on impact, particularly along their edges. Remove rings for the gym, gardening, and DIY.

Storage

Pieces should be stored individually, not loose in a drawer where they can scratch each other. Soft pouches are fine; the original box is better. Keep silver jewellery in a sealed bag with an anti-tarnish strip — silver tarnishes by reacting with air, and slowing that reaction is the whole game.

Professional servicing

Once a year, bring your engagement ring or any frequently-worn piece in to be checked. We inspect prongs under magnification, rhodium-replate white gold if needed, and clean the piece in our ultrasonic. It takes us under an hour and adds many years to a piece's life.

Servicing is complimentary on all jewellery purchased from President Jewellers. Get in touch to arrange a service.