How to Care for and Maintain Fine Jewelry | Locking Holdings

Fine jewelry is far more than personal adornment—it is a store of value, a financial safeguard, and often, a legacy to be passed from one generation to the next. Unlike disposable accessories that wear out within months, fine jewelry retains both its beauty and its intrinsic worth when cared for correctly.

At Locking Holdings, we believe education is as important as acquisition. A gold ring, diamond pendant, or pearl necklace is not just a fashion statement—it is an asset. And just as with any asset, preserving its value requires deliberate, informed care.

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for caring for and maintaining fine jewelry, from everyday handling and cleaning to professional servicing and insurance. By following these best practices, you ensure your pieces remain brilliant, structurally sound, and financially strong for decades to come.

1. Understanding the Materials: Know Your Jewelry Before You Care for It

One of the first steps in fine jewelry care is understanding the unique properties of the materials that make up your collection. Different metals and gemstones react differently to wear, chemicals, and environments.

Precious Metals:

• Gold (Yellow, White, Rose): Durable but prone to scratching. White gold often requires rhodium re-plating every few years to maintain its bright appearance.
• Silver: Softer than gold and prone to tarnish when exposed to air and humidity. Requires special storage solutions.
• Platinum: Strong and dense, hypoallergenic, and resistant to tarnish. However, it develops a natural patina that some see as part of its charm.

Gemstones:

• Diamonds: The hardest gemstone, but still vulnerable to edge chipping if struck.
• Emeralds: Softer stones that often contain internal fractures, making them more delicate.
• Sapphires & Rubies: Very hard and resilient—excellent for daily wear.
• Opals & Pearls: Extremely delicate, porous, and sensitive to heat, chemicals, and moisture.

Pro Tip: Treat jewelry like you would different financial investments—each requires a different strategy for protection.

2. Daily Care and Handling: Habits That Extend Longevity

Your everyday habits are the single most important factor in preserving fine jewelry. Even the strongest diamonds and platinum settings can degrade under improper handling.

Best Practices for Daily Wear:

• Remove jewelry during physical activity: Sports, weightlifting, or heavy labor can scratch metals and loosen prongs.
• Avoid exposure to chemicals: Never wear jewelry while swimming in chlorinated pools, using bleach, or applying lotions and perfumes. (For a full breakdown, visit our hazards guide).
• The “Last On, First Off” Rule: Jewelry should be the last thing you put on when getting ready and the first thing you remove at the end of the day.
• Gentle handling: Avoid tugging on chains, forcing clasps, or stacking rings that may scratch one another.

By practicing mindful handling daily, you reduce the need for repairs and keep your investment secure.

3. Cleaning Fine Jewelry: Best Practices and Techniques

Keeping jewelry clean not only preserves its brilliance but also prevents long-term damage caused by oil, dirt, and residue.

General Cleaning Guidelines:

• Gold, Platinum, and Diamonds:
• Soak in warm water with a mild dish soap.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Silver:
• Use a professional silver polishing cloth.
• For heavy tarnish, create a paste with baking soda and water or use a silver cleaner specifically designed for fine jewelry.
• Porous Gems (Opals, Pearls, Turquoise):
• Never soak. Wipe gently with a damp cloth only.
• Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals.

Ultrasonic Cleaners:

• Safe for diamonds and hard gems.
• Never use on pearls, opals, or treated gemstones—see our hazards guide for a detailed breakdown of why chemicals and ultrasonic vibrations can be destructive.

👉 Cleaning frequency: Every 1–2 months, depending on how often the piece is worn.

4. Proper Storage Practices

Improper storage is one of the most common causes of scratches, tarnish, and gemstone damage.

Storage Guidelines:

• Separate compartments: Jewelry should never touch other pieces; metals and stones can scratch each other.
• Anti-tarnish pouches and cloths: Particularly important for silver.
• Soft-lined boxes: Prevents abrasions and keeps jewelry cushioned.
• Avoid environmental extremes: Store away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight.

Travel Tip: Use padded jewelry cases when traveling, never tossing pieces into bags unprotected.

Think of jewelry storage like a safe for assets—the environment matters as much as security.

5. Professional Maintenance and Servicing

Even the most diligent care requires professional attention over time. Think of it as “servicing” your assets, much like regular maintenance for a luxury vehicle.

Recommended Services:

• Prong and Setting Inspections: Annually check to ensure gemstones remain secure.
• Chain and Clasp Testing: Prevents costly accidents.
• Re-polishing and Buffing: Restores luster while maintaining metal integrity.
• Rhodium Plating for White Gold: Every 1–3 years, depending on wear.
• Pearl Restringing: Every 1–2 years to maintain strand strength.

Professional maintenance is not an expense—it’s a form of asset protection.

6. Preserving Value: Documentation, Insurance, and Security

Caring for jewelry is not only about physical preservation—it’s also about protecting its value on the secondary market.

• Certificates and Appraisals: Keep all documentation together, including purchase receipts, appraisals, and certificates of authenticity.
• Insurance: Obtain professional appraisals every 2–3 years and secure a specialized jewelry policy. Standard homeowners’ insurance often does not provide adequate coverage.
• Secure Storage: For high-value pieces, consider safes or safety deposit boxes.

7. Cross-Reference: Why Care and Hazards Go Hand-in-Hand

Proper care isn’t only about cleaning and storage—it’s also about avoiding hidden dangers. Chemicals, chlorine, perfumes, and household cleaners can undo years of careful preservation in a single moment.

Conclusion

Fine jewelry requires active care, not passive admiration. With the right handling, cleaning, storage, and maintenance practices, your jewelry can retain both its brilliance and its wealth value for generations.

At Locking Holdings, our mission is simple: education before acquisition. We want our clients not only to own fine jewelry but to understand how to preserve it as a long-term financial and personal asset.

• Know your materials and their vulnerabilities.
• Follow best practices for daily handling.
• Clean regularly with safe methods.
• Store properly to prevent scratches and tarnish.
• Schedule professional servicing to protect structural integrity.
• Document, get insured, and secure your investments.

And always remember: jewelry is wealth in wearable form. By protecting it today, you ensure it remains both beautiful and valuable tomorrow.

Explore our full guide on Chemicals and Hazards to Avoid With Fine Jewelry to complete your education in jewelry care.