The jewelry we own says a lot about each of our individual styles. Each piece is connected with a special memory or a specific occasion. This is especially true of things like diamond engagement rings, women’s watches or single diamond earrings. It is impossible to shield your jewelry from daily hustle and bustle of life.  After all, your jewelry item was purchased to wear and enjoy without having to worry about it. But in order to maintain the luster and shine of your jewelry pieces, they must be cared for and cleaned according to each ones specific need.

Engagement rings and wedding bands are probably the two main pieces of jewelry that are worn on a daily basis and as such, they may begin to lose their shine and luster over time. Diamond accent engagement rings, diamond stud earrings and pre-set diamond engagement rings are perhaps some of the sturdiest pieces of jewelry because diamonds are the hardest gemstone. But the metal and settings of the pieces must still be cared for. Here are some things to remember when caring for your jewelry:

• Do not wear your jewelry while doing rough work. Most jewelry is durable, but a hard blow can chip a stone.
• Bring your jewelry to a qualified jeweler if you notice a loose stone setting, a moving stone, or any damage to your jewelry. Have an expert jeweler check the setting in your engagement ring annually, while you are watching.
• Always remove your jewelry before bathing and grooming.  Your jewelry should be the final touch and put it on before you get on with your day. Avoid hairspray, gel, body lotion, moisturizer, perfume, make-up and soap.  These toiletries can leave a residue on jewelry, creating a dull film that is very difficult to clean and remove. Always remove your jewelry when working with chlorine bleach. When silver is exposed to chlorine bleach, it turns the silver to an unsightly black.  Chlorine is also detrimental to gold as well.
• It is permissible to use water to clean and rinse some jewelry; however, make sure it’s dried thoroughly when you are done. Moisture can tarnish silver and weaken the springs and claps.  Pearl and gemstone jewelry should never be soaked in water or worn when bathing. The stones in such jewelry may be glued into the settings, and moisture will cause the glue to loosen.  This causes the stone to fall out and get lost. To avoid water spots on your jewelry, make sure your jewelry items are thoroughly dry before placing them in an enclosed area.
• Make sure to store your jewelry in fabric lined cases or in a box with dividers or separate compartments. Jewelry pieces can be scratched when stored together, especially softer gemstones or men’s watches.

If you are not comfortable with taking your pieces such as custom engagement rings, diamond tennis bracelets, vintage rings, silver pendants or discount diamond rings to a professional jeweler to be cleaned and they are only slightly smudged or dirty, there are some steps you can take at home to clean them. First, prepare a small bowl of warm soapy water using any mild household detergent. Brush the jewelry with a soft brush until you have created lather around it. With the jewelry placed on a plastic or metal strainer, rinse off with the warm water. Make sure not to clean your jewelry over the drain; it may slip out of your hand and fall in. Pat your jewelry dry with a soft, lint free cloth. Then, prepare a solution of four parts cold water and one part very mild dishwashing detergent. Soak the jewelry pieces for several minutes. Take them out and tap gently around all sides of the mounting with a soft brush.  Rinse the jewelry pieces in the solution once more and drain on the tissue paper. Never submerge working pieces of jewelry like men’s watches in water. Wipe things like these off with a soft, slightly damp cloth. This will clean it without damaging any moving parts. With a little patience and care, you can keep all of your jewelry pieces looking like new.