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Fine jewellery is built to last decades, but only with the right care behind it. Small habits, how a piece is stored, what it's exposed to, how often it's cleaned, make a real difference in how well gold, silver, and gemstone jewellery holds up over time. Here's a practical rundown of what actually helps.
Everyday Habits That Protect Your Jewellery
Most jewellery damage builds up gradually rather than happening all at once. Put jewellery on last and take it off first, since perfume, hairspray, and lotion can dull metal finishes and cloud gemstones over time. Take rings off before gardening, cleaning, or exercise, all common causes of scratches, bent prongs, and loosened stones. Remove jewellery before swimming, since chlorine and saltwater affect certain gemstones and looser settings like kundan. And keep pieces out of direct sunlight for long stretches, since some gemstones, particularly softer or more porous ones, can fade or shift colour with prolonged UV exposure.
How to Store Fine Jewellery Properly
Storage matters more than most people assume. Jewellery tossed together in one drawer is far more likely to scratch, tangle, or have its settings loosened by contact with other pieces. Store pieces separately, ideally in individual soft pouches or a lined box with its own compartments. Keep gold and silver apart where you can, since silver can tarnish other metals it sits against for long periods. Store gemstone pieces stone-side up to avoid pressure on the setting. And keep pearls away from other jewellery entirely, since they're soft enough to be scratched by harder stones or metal edges.
Cleaning Gold Jewellery
Gold is relatively low-maintenance. A soft, lint-free cloth after each wear keeps the surface looking its best. For a deeper clean, lukewarm water with a small amount of mild soap and a soft brush works well, followed by thorough drying. Skip ultrasonic cleaners for anything set with kundan or other foil-backed work, since the vibration can loosen those stones over time.
Cleaning Silver Jewellery
925 sterling silver tarnishes with air exposure, but it's easy enough to manage. Wearing it regularly actually slows tarnish, since skin oils help keep the surface in check. A dedicated silver polishing cloth beats household cleaning products, which tend to be too abrasive. And for pieces that won't be worn for a while, an anti-tarnish pouch or strip helps keep them in good shape.
Caring for Gemstones
Different gemstones need different levels of care, largely based on hardness. Diamonds are extremely durable and can generally be cleaned with mild soap and water without much worry. Emeralds are more brittle than they look, so they should stay away from ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature swings. Tanzanite is relatively soft and needs gentle handling, avoiding knocks and abrasive cleaning. And pearls should never be soaked or exposed to chemicals; a soft, slightly damp cloth is all they need.
When to See a Professional Jeweller
Some things are best left to a professional rather than attempted at home: loose or wiggling stones, especially in kundan or prong settings, bent prongs or clasps that no longer close securely, discoloration that doesn't respond to gentle cleaning, and an annual check-up for anything worn frequently, to catch small issues before they turn into bigger repairs.
A little routine care goes a long way toward making sure fine jewellery, especially handcrafted pieces, lasts as long as it's meant to.
Have questions about caring for a specific Firuzeh piece? Reach out to our team for guidance tailored to your jewellery.
