According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the average woman over 50 owns over £8,000 worth of jewellery. And Brides.com estimates that in 2020, Americans spend almost $4,000 on an engagement ring. 

In short, buying jewellery is expensive. Professional repair and/or replacement isn’t exactly cheap either. And there’s the emotional element too. Even ‘cheap’ pieces can be priceless. Your jewellery deserves to get proper care; here’s your all-encompassing guide to keeping your collection looking like new. 

How to Prevent Damage 

The best thing you can do to give your jewellery a long (and shiny!) lifespan is to ensure you do your best to prevent damage before it happens. All it takes is a few easy steps: 

• Take it off! Your jewellery needs a breather every once in a while, particularly if you are about to take part in an activity that may scratch or otherwise damage your jewellery. 

• No jewellery in bed. You’d be surprised how much damage small nicks cause over time. Take off your jewellery as standard before you hit the hay. 

• Do not clean with jewellery. If you are about to do a deep clean of your bathroom or kitchen, STOP! Take off all jewellery first. 

• Lotions and perfumes, then jewellery. Apply all of your products before putting your jewellery back on. And let them dry first. Acid-based products are particularly damaging to gemstones (think pearls or opals). 

• Individual storage. If that ring or necklace is precious to you, store individually. You want to use a soft-lined case, preventing rubbing or scratching. 

• Avoid cheap ultrasonic cleaners. These will cost you a low three figures, but may cause permanent (and more expensive) damage. Instead, use companies that have the proper kit and know how to use it; most of these cost thousands of dollars, and even their repair and servicing can cost more than a basic household version! 

How to Clean and Care for Your Jewellery 

Even if you take care of your jewellery to the best of your abilities, damage will happen over time. It’s normal and happens to every piece of jewellery. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to have your precious pieces looking like new: 

• Handle carefully. Use gloves, protecting both your jewellery and your skin. 

• Avoid household chemicals. Do not use the stuff that’s made to clean your kitchen or bathroom. That stuff will destroy your jewellery. 

• Buy specialist cleaning agents instead. There are specific products that are sold specifically for jewellery. 

• Do not scrub. You may be ready to go with plenty of elbow grease, but jewellery requires a gentle touch instead. 

• Use microfiber towels. These are not as abrasive as your standard cotton variety. 

• Wipe after each wear. This applies particularly to pearls, as oils from your skin can erode these over time. 

• Know your stones. Every piece of jewellery will need to be handled differently. Diamonds can be cleaned with mild detergent, but chlorine will cause damage. Coloured gems will usually be fine with just a little bit of warm water and mild washing up liquid. 

Theft Precautions

Caring about your jewellery isn’t just about preventing damage and the right cleaning approach. Unfortunately, precious jewellery will always be a target for thieves. In the United States, there’s a burglary every 30 seconds. This is how you minimise chances of becoming a victim of theft: 

• Avoid the obvious places of storage. These include jewellery boxes in plain sight and things just being left dotted around your bedroom. These are go-to areas for professional thieves. 

• Invest in a secure safe. Thieves are opportunistic. They want a quick in and out job, not something out of a heist film. Owning a secure safe, even one of the entry-level models, can do a lot to prevent theft. 

• What about a safety deposit box? If you own a piece of jewellery that you don’t wear often, consider a safety deposit box. They may not be as expensive as you think. 

• Follow basic home safety. Close all doors before you leave, check upstairs windows, and use time switches. Burglar alarms and video security may also be worth investing in. 

Jewellery is Made to be Worn

These tips may have scared you into thinking that the best way to keep jewellery safe is to keep them safely tucked away, never to be worn. But that’s the opposite message we’re going for! 

Jewellery may get damaged over time, yes, but most pieces are also hard-wearing. They’re designed to be worn on a daily basis, but they also merit a proper care process. Prevention, regular non-abrasive cleaning, and taking pieces off where appropriate, is all it takes to keep your jewellery looking fantastic over many decades.