Expert Guide to Jewelry Care

Fine jewelry is delicate; the gorgeous necklaces and rings you buy today will be the same pieces you wear decades from now. Taking the right care of your jewelry will help maintain its sheen, its quality, and its beauty. Here’s how to do jewelry care, in five easy steps.

How to Store Jewelry

Certain gemstones such as amethyst, emeralds, opal, and pearl are all delicate and easily

scratched. It’s best to store fashion jewelry individually, either in a soft-lined box or pouch. This will protect against rubbing, scratching, and tangling. Pro tip: Keeping necklaces fastened will also help minimize tangling.

Pearls require a little extra care since they’re porous: They shouldn’t be stored where it’s too dry or airtight or else they can dry out and even possibly crack. Silver, however, needs to be stored in either a sealed plastic bag or airtight box. Since it oxidizes over time, this will help prevent tarnishing.

At-Home Jewelry Care

Most jewelry professionals will say it’s best to avoid dip polish, ultrasonics, and abrasive cleaners. They can contain harsh chemicals and can actually damage jewelry if done improperly.Instead, use a soft non-abrasive and lint-free cloth to bring out the brilliance and shine on your engagement ring or wedding band. For maximum beauty, you should aim to polish silver and platinum at least once a month.

Certain jewelry, bridal pieces like wedding bands especially, are expected to be worn

every day. But chemicals in your perfume, hairspray, lotions, etc. may also damage your wedding ring or favorite earrings over time. So take care to put jewelry on after all of that.

If you’re going for a dip, whether in waves or a wading pool, err on the side of caution and remove your jewelry first. Chlorine and saltwater can damage precious metals and gemstones. And if you’re wearing gold-plated or silver jewelry, remove before you shower too.

Regular Maintenance

Jewelry professionals and luxury designers alike will tell you a touchstone of jewelry care is having your bridal jewelry inspected every six to twelve months by your local jeweler. They’ll ensure the prongs are secure and give your ring a nice sparkle and polish that’ll make it feel like brand-new again. Trust Neugebauer’s with Your Jewelry Care If you happen to experience the unlucky misfortune of needing to get jewelry fixed, be sure you turn to a trusted local jeweler who has experience with the sort of jewelry repair you need. Here at Neugebauer’s, we’ve been proud to serve the Black Hills area for over 75 years and offer a wide range of services. Give us a call at 605-348-4557 or stop into our Rapid City showroom today.