Jewellery Care Guide: Cleaning, Storage & Handling Tips
At Jools, we've spent 25 years helping customers in Bridgwater and beyond get the most from their jewellery. Whether it's a everyday silver ring or a treasured heirloom, a little care goes a long way. Here's our practical guide to keeping your pieces looking their best.
Everyday Habits That Make a Difference
The simplest rule is this: jewellery goes on last and comes off first. Put on perfume, hairspray, and moisturiser before your jewellery, and take pieces off before washing your hands, swimming, exercising, or doing housework. Soap, chlorine, and chemicals are surprisingly hard on metals and gemstones, and physical knocks — even small ones — can scratch metals or loosen settings over time.
It's also worth getting into the habit of wiping pieces gently with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing. It takes seconds and makes a real difference, especially for rings and bracelets.
Cleaning at Home
For most plain gold, silver, and platinum jewellery, a gentle clean with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild washing-up liquid works well. Use a soft toothbrush for any detail work, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely with a soft cloth.
For jewellery with gemstones, it's worth knowing which stones need extra care:
Generally fine with gentle soap and water: diamonds, sapphires, rubies
Handle with care — damp cloth only, no soaking: pearls, opals, emeralds, turquoise, amber, moonstone
If you're not sure, don't risk it. Bring it in and we'll advise you.
What to Avoid
These are worth keeping well away from your jewellery: bleach and harsh chemicals, toothpaste or baking soda, ultrasonic cleaners (unless a professional has confirmed it's safe for your piece), and jewellery dips unless specifically recommended for that piece. These can cause discolouration, damage settings, and in the case of softer stones, cause permanent deterioration.
Caring for Specific Materials
Sterling silver tarnishes naturally over time — it's not a sign something is wrong. Store in an anti-tarnish pouch or soft cloth bag and polish gently with a silver cloth to restore shine.
Gold is less prone to tarnishing but scratches more easily than people expect. Store separately from other pieces.
Pearls are delicate and need a little more thought — wipe with a soft damp cloth after wearing, store flat in a soft pouch, and never seal them in an airtight container as they need a little moisture to stay in good condition.
Gold vermeil and plated jewellery — avoid abrasive polishing and harsh cleaners, which wear down the finish. Wipe gently and store separately.
Opals are sensitive to sudden temperature changes and can crack — avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, and anything abrasive.
Storage
The golden rule is to store pieces separately — diamonds in particular can scratch other jewellery, and even each other. A compartmentalised jewellery box or individual soft pouches work well. Keep jewellery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight — bathrooms are the worst spot due to humidity. For silver, a silica gel sachet in your jewellery box helps slow tarnishing.
When travelling, a padded jewellery roll or small individual pouches for each piece will prevent tangling and scratches. Valuable pieces are always better in hand luggage.
When to Seek Professional Help
Some things are worth bringing to us rather than attempting at home:
- Stones that feel loose or rattle
- Clasps that feel weak or worn
- Heavy tarnish that home cleaning hasn't shifted
- Anything antique or sentimental you're not sure about
We're always happy to have a look and give you an honest opinion — no charge for that. And catching a small issue early almost always saves money in the long run.
If you do need a repair, take a look at our jewellery repairs and watch servicing page to find out more about what we offer and how to get a free quote.