Article: KEEP YOUR GEMS GLOWING : How to take care of your Jewelry!
KEEP YOUR GEMS GLOWING : How to take care of your Jewelry!
At Gems en Vogue, we believe every gemstone tells a story. With over 40 years of gemstone jewellery expertise, we want you to enjoy the beauty, colour, and character of your jewellery for as long as possible.
Whether you’ve chosen a statement gemstone ring, an elegant pendant, or a pair of eye-catching earrings, a little care can help preserve its beauty.
Follow our jewellery care guide to keep your Gems en Vogue treasures looking their best.
Beautiful gemstones. Timeless designs. Care that lasts.
EVERYDAY JEWELRY CARE
Wear It. Love It. Protect It.
Your jewellery is designed to be enjoyed. A few simple habits can help protect your favourite pieces from unnecessary wear.
Put Your Jewellery On Last
Apply perfume, hairspray, lotions, and cosmetics before putting on your jewellery. Allow these products to dry before wearing your pieces, as chemical ingredients and residue can affect gemstones and metal finishes.
Remove Jewellery Before Certain Activities
Take off your jewellery before exercising, swimming, showering, gardening, or doing household chores. Exposure to sweat, chlorine, salt water, cleaning products, and repeated impact may affect gemstones, metal finishes, or settings.
Handle Gemstones Gently
Avoid dropping, knocking, or striking your jewellery against hard surfaces. Even gemstones that appear durable can chip or fracture if struck at the wrong angle.
Give Your Jewellery a Rest
Remove rings and bracelets before activities that involve gripping, lifting, or repeated friction. This helps reduce the risk of scratches, bent settings, and loose gemstones.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GEMSTONE JEWELLERY
Let Your Gemstones Shine.
Regular, gentle cleaning can help remove everyday dust, oils, and residue that dull the appearance of your jewellery.
However, not every gemstone responds well to the same cleaning method. Some stones are sensitive to heat, sudden temperature changes, chemicals, or prolonged exposure to water.
For routine care:
- Begin by checking the product-specific care instructions.
- If the gemstone and setting are suitable for water cleaning, use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap.
- Gently wipe the jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth. A very soft brush may be suitable for some durable stones and settings, but avoid brushing delicate or fragile gemstones.
- If rinsing is appropriate, use clean water and ensure the drain is securely covered.
- Pat dry with a soft cloth and allow the piece to dry completely before storing it.
Important: If you are unsure about a gemstone’s cleaning requirements, use a dry, soft cloth and consult the product-specific care instructions before using water or cleaning solutions.
What Should You Avoid?
Unless the specific piece is confirmed suitable, avoid:
- Ultrasonic jewellery cleaners.
- Steam cleaners.
- Abrasive brushes and scouring materials.
- Bleach, ammonia, and harsh household cleaners.
- Strong acids, solvents, and unapproved jewellery-cleaning solutions.
- Sudden changes in temperature.
These methods may damage certain gemstones, treatments, settings, or metal finishes.
Our tip: When in doubt, gentle cleaning is best. If a piece needs a deeper clean, consult a qualified jeweller familiar with its gemstones and construction.
CARING FOR YOUR SILVER JEWELLERY
Keep Your Silver Looking Its Best.
Silver jewellery can naturally develop tarnish over time. This is a surface reaction that may cause the metal to look darker or lose some of its shine.
Exposure to air, moisture, perspiration, cosmetics, and household chemicals can contribute to this process.
At Gems en Vogue, selected designs feature palladium silver alloy. The characteristics and care requirements of your jewellery depend on its specific metal composition and finish.
To care for your silver jewellery:
Keep It Dry
Remove your jewellery before showering, swimming, or exercising. Dry your pieces thoroughly if they become damp.
Wipe After Wearing
Use a clean, soft jewellery cloth to gently remove oils and residue after use.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Keep silver jewellery away from chlorine, bleach, household cleaners, and other harsh substances.
Store It Properly
Store each piece separately in a clean, dry jewellery box or soft pouch. An appropriate jewellery storage bag can help reduce exposure to air and moisture.
Clean According to Its Finish
Not all silver jewellery should be polished in the same way. Some pieces feature gemstones, decorative finishes, coatings, or gold plating that can be damaged by conventional silver-polishing products.
Before using a silver polish or tarnish-removal solution, check that it is suitable for the specific metal, finish, and gemstones.
CARING FOR 24K GOLD-PLATED JEWELLERY
Preserve the Beauty of the Finish.
Gold-plated jewellery features a layer of gold over an underlying metal. With appropriate care, you can help protect the finish and reduce unnecessary wear.
Keep It Away from Chemicals
Perfume, lotions, cleaning products, chlorine, and other chemicals may affect the plated surface.
Avoid Excessive Rubbing
Friction from other jewellery, rough fabrics, and abrasive materials can gradually wear the plating.
Clean Gently
Use a soft, dry cloth to remove fingerprints and everyday residue. Avoid abrasive polishing cloths or strong cleaning solutions unless specifically approved for your piece.
Store Separately
Keep gold-plated pieces in individual soft pouches or compartments to minimise scratching and friction.
Remove Before Water-Based Activities
Take off your jewellery before swimming, bathing, exercising, or other activities that expose it to water, perspiration, or chemicals.
A Note About Gold Plating
Gold plating is a surface finish, so gradual wear may occur with use. Its longevity depends on factors such as plating thickness, frequency of wear, friction, and exposure to chemicals and moisture.
Gentle handling and appropriate storage can help preserve the appearance of your jewellery.
HOW TO STORE YOUR JEWELLERY
A Safe Place for Every Treasure.
Proper storage helps reduce scratches, tangling, dust, and unnecessary exposure to moisture.
Store Pieces Separately
Place each ring, pendant, bracelet, and pair of earrings in its own compartment or soft pouch. This helps prevent harder gemstones and metal edges from scratching other pieces.
Choose a Cool, Dry Location
Keep jewellery away from bathrooms, humid areas, direct sunlight, and sources of heat.
Keep Chains Untangled
Fasten necklaces and bracelets before storing them. Lay chains flat or place them in individual compartments to help prevent knots.
Protect Your Gemstones
Avoid storing jewellery loosely in drawers or allowing pieces to knock against one another.
Keep Jewellery Away from Children and Pets
Store small jewellery items securely when not being worn.
SPECIAL CARE FOR STATEMENT GEMSTONE RINGS
Because Extraordinary Gems Deserve Extra Attention.
Statement rings often feature substantial gemstones and intricate settings. Their size and design make them especially important to handle carefully.
Protect the Stone
Avoid knocking the gemstone against hard surfaces, door handles, countertops, or other objects.
Check the Setting
Periodically look for signs that a gemstone may be loose, a prong may be bent, or the setting may have been damaged. Stop wearing the ring if you notice any of these issues.
Remove Rings Before Manual Activities
Take rings off before gardening, lifting weights, cleaning, or handling heavy objects.
Be Mindful of Gemstone Properties
Different gemstones have different levels of hardness, toughness, and sensitivity. A gemstone’s apparent size or hardness alone does not determine how resistant it is to damage.
Seek Professional Help When Needed
If a stone becomes loose, the setting is damaged, or the jewellery needs specialist cleaning, consult a qualified jeweller.
CARING FOR YOUR EARRINGS, PENDANTS AND BRACELETS
Little Details Make a Difference.
Earrings
Handle earrings by their metal components rather than pulling on delicate decorative elements. Check clasps and backs regularly to ensure they remain secure.
Necklaces and Pendants
Fasten clasps before storing necklaces. Avoid pulling chains or lifting a necklace by a delicate pendant, as this can place unnecessary strain on the chain and setting.
Bracelets
Remove bracelets before activities that may cause repeated rubbing or impact. Check clasps and links periodically for signs of wear.
Gemstone Pendants
Hold pendants by their metal fittings when putting them on or taking them off. Avoid pressing against the gemstone or pulling on delicate settings.
A FINAL NOTE FROM GEMS EN VOGUE
Made to Be Treasured.
Every gemstone has its own character, colour, and natural beauty. With over 40 years of experience in gemstone jewellery, Gems en Vogue understands that caring for your jewellery is part of enjoying it.
We encourage you to follow the care instructions specific to your piece, handle your jewellery gently, and seek professional advice whenever you are unsure.
Thank you for making Gems en Vogue part of your collection.
Keep your gems glowing. Keep your memories close.
Gems en Vogue — Over 40 Years of Gemstone Beauty.
