To ensure that jewellery remains in pristine condition, jewelry care should include proper maintenance and storage. Often jewellery isn’t treated with the care that it requires, which results in tarnished, damaged, jewelry. For instance, silver and gold jewelry will gradually oxidize and tarnish over time when exposed to air, and other tarnishing agents such as residues from lotions, powders, soaps and natural skin oils.

To prevent oxidation, jewellery can be stored in tightly sealed plastic ziploc bags. However do not store pearls in plastic. Otherwise jewelry cases lined with fabric or acid free paper work well also. Contact with chemicals, including bleach should be avoided, as they can damage jewelry over time. Pearl necklaces and bracelets should be checked by a jeweller to decide whether they need re-stringing. All pieces should be cleaned periodically, with the appropriate cleaning agents. A soft child’s toothbrush is most effective for brushing or scrubbing jewelry. Paper towels should never be used for drying jewellery. Pearls need to be wiped after each wear.

Here are some additional guidelines for gemstone maintenance and precious metal care:

Turquoise, Lapis and Coral: Wipe often with a soft dry cloth, don’ t use anything on turquoise, such as soap or cleansers, as it will damage the stone.

Opals: Opals are prone to scratching and chipping, so store, wash and wear carefully. Use a soft mild soap on a cloth and rinse and air dry.

Pearls: pearls tend to lose their luster, quickly if not handled carefully, keep away from lotions and perfumes (generally applying them prior to donning the jewelry, helps to keep them pristine). Wipe with a clean, soft moist cloth after every wearing and lay flat to air dry. Occasionally they can be cleaned with a soft brush and mild soapy water, and then wiped with a wet cloth and dried.

Opals: Opals are prone to scratching and chipping, so store, wash and wear carefully. Use a soft mild soap on a cloth and rinse and air dry.

Sapphires, Peridots, Rubies and Amythyst: These stones can be washed in a mixture of warm water, and mild dishwashing liquid (check the soap label to make sure that it doesn’t contain softeners). Scrub the stones with a very soft brush, rinse with clean water and pat dry.

Emeralds: wash in clear room temperature water and brush gently. Air dry, do not wash in warm water or with soap.

Diamonds: diamonds must be stored separately, as they can scratch each other. They can be cleansed in a solution of 2 parts warm water to 1 part ammonia for 3-4 minutes and rinsed with warm clean water and patted dry with a soft clean cloth. Don’t clean diamond jewelry that has other stones set into it with ammonia, as some stones are considerably more delicate than diamonds.

Gold, White Gold, Platinum: dip in warm soapy water, rinse in clean water and pat dry, use a soft brush if more extensive cleansing is required.

Silver: Only use a commercial silver polish, or a silver polishing cloth, after polishing, ensure that all polish is removed and then softly buff to a shine. Never use paper towels and tissues as they will scratch soft metals.”