How to Care for Your Custom Fine Jewelry

Why Jewelry Care is Essential

When you invest in custom fine jewelry, you’re not just purchasing an accessory—you’re acquiring a timeless piece meant to be cherished for years, if not generations. However, even the most well-crafted jewelry requires proper care to maintain its brilliance and longevity.

In this blog post, we’ll provide essential tips on how to care for different types of gemstones, metals, and settings, and how Bang Diep’s aftercare services ensure that your custom jewelry remains as stunning as the day it was made.

(Displayed is a 1.50ct Round Brilliant center diamond, set in an 18k white gold wedding band.)

Daily Jewelry Care Tips

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your fine jewelry looking its best. While some simple practices can make a big difference, it’s also important to understand what not to do.

Do’s:

Clean Jewelry Regularly: Use a soft cloth and mild soap with warm water to gently clean your jewelry, particularly for diamonds, gold, and platinum. For most pieces, a soft toothbrush can be used to reach small crevices.
Store Jewelry Properly: When not wearing your jewelry, store it in a dry, cool place. Use separate compartments for each piece to prevent scratching or damage. Materials like diamonds can scratch other softer gemstones, so keeping them separate is essential. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides excellent storage tips on their Jewelry Care Guide.
Remove Jewelry During Physical Activities: Remove rings, bracelets, and necklaces before engaging in activities like exercise, gardening, or swimming, where exposure to sweat, chemicals, or hard impacts could damage your piece.
Inspect Jewelry Frequently: Periodically check your jewelry for signs of wear and tear, such as loose stones or worn prongs. Catching small issues early can prevent more significant damage in the future.

Don’ts:

Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Chlorine, bleach, or strong household cleaners can damage metals and dull gemstones. Always remove your jewelry before cleaning or handling chemicals.
Don’t Expose Jewelry to Excessive Heat: Direct exposure to heat, such as wearing jewelry in a sauna, can cause some gemstones to crack or lose their brilliance. Pearls, in particular, can be damaged by excessive heat.

Caring for Different Types of Metals

Different metals require different levels of care, depending on their properties and the amount of daily wear they experience.

Gold Jewelry (14K, 18K, 24K)

Cleaning: Gold is relatively soft compared to other metals, so it’s best to clean it with a solution of mild soap and warm water, followed by a soft cloth for drying. Avoid abrasive materials.
Storage: Since gold can scratch easily, store gold jewelry separately in a cloth-lined box or pouch.
Polishing: Gold, especially white gold, may require regular polishing to maintain its shine. White gold may also need periodic rhodium plating to restore its white luster.

Learn more about gold care from the World Gold Council, a trusted authority in gold standards.

Platinum Jewelry

Durability: Platinum is known for its strength and durability. However, it may develop a natural patina over time, which some wearers appreciate for its antique appearance.
Cleaning: Like gold, use warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush for cleaning. Professional cleanings once a year are recommended for heavily worn platinum jewelry.

For platinum-specific care tips, consult the Platinum Guild International.

Silver Jewelry

Tarnishing: Silver is more prone to tarnishing, so it requires regular cleaning with a silver polish to maintain its shine.
Storage: Keep silver pieces in anti-tarnish pouches or wrapped in a cloth to prevent tarnish buildup. Avoid humid environments.

Caring for Different Gemstones

Each gemstone has unique properties, and knowing how to care for them can help preserve their beauty.

Diamonds

Durability: As the hardest natural material, diamonds are durable but still require regular cleaning to maintain their brilliance.
Cleaning: Clean your diamonds with a mild soap solution and a soft brush. Avoid using abrasive materials that could scratch other parts of the jewelry.

Learn more about diamond care from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Sapphires and Rubies

Hardness: These gemstones are durable but should be protected from impacts that might cause chipping.
Cleaning: Clean with warm, soapy water. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for treated sapphires or rubies, as they can weaken the gemstone’s structure.

Pearls

Fragility: Pearls are organic gems and are softer than many other stones, making them more vulnerable to scratches, moisture, and acidic substances.
Care: Pearls should be stored away from heat and humidity. Wipe pearls with a soft cloth after each use to remove body oils and perfumes that can damage them over time. Keep pearls in a soft pouch or box lined with a cloth to avoid scratches.

For more on pearl care, refer to GIA’s Pearl Care Guide.

Emeralds

Sensitivity: Emeralds are softer and prone to scratching and chipping. Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
Care: Clean with mild soap and water, and always store them separately from harder gemstones like diamonds.

Professional Aftercare Services at Bang Diep

At Bang Diep, we understand that your custom jewelry is a valuable investment, which is why we offer a range of aftercare services to help keep your pieces in perfect condition. Our services include:

Jewelry Cleaning and Polishing: We provide professional cleaning services to restore the original shine and brilliance of your jewelry.
Prong and Setting Checks: Our experts will inspect your jewelry for any signs of wear or damage and ensure that stones are securely set.
Rhodium Plating for White Gold: We offer rhodium plating services to restore the luster of your white gold jewelry, ensuring it maintains its brilliant white appearance.

For more information about our aftercare services or to schedule a professional cleaning, contact Bang Diep for expert advice and care for your fine jewelry.

Maintain Your Jewelry’s Brilliance

With proper care and attention, your custom fine jewelry can last a lifetime and beyond. By following these tips and using Bang Diep’s aftercare services, you can ensure that your pieces retain their beauty and brilliance for years to come.