Fine jewellery will bring years of wearing pleasure with proper care and cleaning. 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. Never sleep in your jewellery.

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 or box.

At least once a year, have a jeweller professionally clean and inspect your fine jewellery.

Diamonds

Clean your diamond jewellery regularly at home in an ultrasonic cleaner or by hand. To make your own jewellery cleaning solution, use a lukewarm solution of water and mild dishwashing soap, or mix one part ammonia to six parts water.

Gently clean 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 and pat dry.

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 can get dirty, smudged and tarnished. 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 pat dry with a towel or soft cloth after cleaning. Do not rub as this can scratch the metal.

White Gold jewellery is Rhodium Plated to give its smoky white lustre. It should be professionally cleaned and re-plated regularly to keep its lustre and shine. See our Cleaning section under Our Services for more information.

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. Platinum jewellery is Rhodium Plated to enhance its beauty, and should be professionally cleaned and re-plated regularly. See our Cleaning section under Our Services for more information.

Silver jewellery

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, or by lining a plastic (not metal) tub with aluminium kitchen foil (shiny side up) and fill with a mixture of hot water and baking soda. Leave to soak for 30 seconds and rub with a soft toothbrush or cloth. Do not use this method for silver-plated jewellery. The best way to avoid tarnish is to wear your jewellery regularly.