How to Care for Your Platinum Jewellery, Diamonds & Gemstones - Tips from Bespoke London Jeweller Daniel Prince

Stones & Metals: Jewellery Care

Fine jewellery will bring years of wearing pleasure with proper care and cleaning - and occasional inspection by a professional jeweller. There are also some special precautions to take with more delicate gems like pearls and emeralds. Good common sense is your best guide, but here are some helpful tips to keep all your fine jewellery in tip-top shape.

All Jewellery
Avoid wearing jewellery while in contact with household chemicals, such as chlorine bleach. They can discolour or damage your jewellery mountings. Take off your jewellery before doing rough manual work or playing sports. Stones could be jarred loose or chipped by a hard blow.

When you're not wearing your jewellery, be careful that pieces do not tumble against each other to avoid scratching or dulling. Ideally, store each piece in its own soft cloth pouch.

At least once a year, have a jeweller professionally clean and inspect your fine jewellery. Most jewellers offer cleaning and inspection as a complimentary service to give you a lifetime of wearing pleasure. At Daniel Prince of London we recommend twice-a-year cleaning and inspection to guarantee the workmanship of your purchase for life.

Diamonds
Clean your diamond jewellery regularly at home in an ultrasonic cleaner or by hand. To make your own jewellery cleaning solution, mix one part ammonia to six parts water.

Gently scrub the diamond piece with a small soft toothbrush to loosen dirt and restore the diamond's brilliance. Be careful not to scratch the metal setting. Always rinse after cleaning.

Platinum jewellery
Over time, platinum develops a natural patina, which many people find just as attractive as a polished finish. This does not represent any material loss and platinum rings will not thin with age. If a polished finish is preferred we can offer an inexpensive re-polishing service. Like gold, platinum jewellery does not tarnish. Simply clean your platinum pieces with a soft cloth and mild detergent or ammonia solution (one part ammonia to six parts water) to maintain their luster.

Rubies, Sapphires and Garnet
To clean this gemstone jewellery at home, use a lukewarm solution of water and mild dishwashing soap, or one part ammonia to six parts water. Keep your gems brilliant by gently brushing them with a small bristle brush, especially underneath where dirt collects. Rinse and dry.

Emeralds
Because emeralds have delicate structures, never place emerald jewellery in an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner. Emeralds are adversely affected by heat and chemicals. They are best cleaned professionally by a jeweller. However, you may wipe your emerald pieces with a soft cloth and clean them gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soapy water.

Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is hard, but not tough. Stones irradiated longer to achieve a darker blue tend to be more brittle. Avoid subjecting your topaz jewellery to extreme heat or sharp blows. You can clean your blue topaz jewellery using one part ammonia to six parts water or in an electrosonic jewellery cleaning machine.

Amethysts
Like any gemstone, take care not to subject your amethyst jewellery to sharp blows. You can clean your amethyst jewellery using one part ammonia to six parts water or in an electrosonic jewellery cleaning machine.

Pearls
The best way to help your pearls maintain their luster is to wear them regularly. Your body's natural oils aid in keeping the pearls' beauty. When necessary, wipe your pearls with a damp, soft cloth. Do not use oils or other treatments.

Never clean your pearls with jewellery cleaner or in an ultrasonic jewellery cleaning machine! A harsh cleanser can wear away the nacre. Have your pearls restrung every two to five years if worn regularly, or when the silk becomes dirty. Take your pearls to a professional jeweller for cleaning prior to restringing, which will add to the beauty and long life of your pearls.

Keep your pearls away from hairspray, lotion and perfume. Chemicals in these products can damage the pearls. Make your pearls the last item you put on when getting dressed and the first item you take off.

Pearls should be worn alone. If worn with other jewellery, such as a gold chain or other necklace, they may be scratched or damaged. Store your pearls separately so they won't be damaged by other jewellery.

Gold jewellery
Proper care of your gold jewellery will assure a long-lasting glow. Gold is tarnish-resistant, but it can get dirty or smudged. Every so often, clean your gold jewellery with a mild detergent or ammonia solution (one part ammonia to six parts water). Do not use any kind of abrasive that might scratch the gold. Use a soft brush to gently clean intricate filigree designs and under stones. Rinse and wipe jewellery after cleaning

Silver jewellery
Unlike the other precious metals, silver will tarnish because of a reaction to elements in the air. However, the metal does not deteriorate.You can remove the black film with silver polish. The most common way to avoid tarnish is to wear your jewellery regularly.

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