Jewelry Care Guide

Taking good care of your jewelry requires attention to keep all of your pieces in their best shape. Daily wear, environmental factors, and buildup can have an impact on your jewelry. With a few simple steps, you can keep your jewelry in pristine condition, ensuring it maintains its beauty and sparkle all year long.

Why Jewelry Care Matters

Properly caring for your jewelry is essential to keep your jewelry looking its best. Maintaining your jewelry with gentle cleaning and proper storage will help preserve its value and prevent any damage. By following a care routine, you can ensure that your pieces last and keep their value. 

Everyday Jewelry Care

During the winter months especially, you may find yourself applying lotions and creams more often. When applying lotion, we recommend removing any rings off of your hand to avoid any residue buildup. 

It is important to consider how your jewelry, necklaces, bracelets and rings, might interact with the clothing you wear. Some materials, especially those with rough textures or loose weaves, can cause jewelry to catch or snag more easily, leading to potential damage to both your jewelry and your clothing. Opting for smoother, more durable fabrics can help ensure that everything stays intact and maintains its beauty, while also protecting your clothes from unintended wear.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to remove jewelry before washing your hands or taking a shower. Some metals can tarnish easily, so you should always make sure your jewelry stays dry and free from moisture. However, at Lauren B, all of our jewelry is made with solid 14 or 18 karat gold or platinum so it will not tarnish.

Cleaning Different Types of Jewelry

Different materials require different methods of cleaning. In general, you’ll want to avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and vinegar and to opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your jewelry. 

The best way to clean jewelry is to soak it for a few minutes in warm (not hot!) water with a couple drops of mild dish soap to remove any oils and dirt. For metals and diamonds, you’ll want to then carefully use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub and brush away any excess dirt or residue. Finally, rinse and dry, ideally with a microfiber cloth.

Properly Store Your Jewelry

After wearing your jewelry, don’t forget to store it until you’re ready to wear it again. Though it may be tempting to leave your jewelry lying around, especially if you’re in a hurry, we recommend getting into the habit of storing your jewelry until you’re ready to wear it again.

Having a designated area to keep your jewelry is a great way to stay organized. Jewelry boxes are ideal, as they typically have specific compartments to store each piece and are typically made with soft surfaces to prevent damage. For example, rings, bracelets and earrings have designated spaces, while there are often hooks available to hang necklaces so that they avoid damages and tangling.

Avoid Common Jewelry Mistakes

Salt and chlorine can damage your jewelry, so we recommend taking it off before visiting pools and beaches. Salt causes metals such as gold, silver, and platinum to erode, which can cause jewelry to become weakened and more susceptible to damages.

The Lasting Impact of Proper Jewelry Care

If you’re investing in quality Lauren B pieces, it’s only right that you keep all of your pieces in pristine condition. Proper care not only keeps your metals shiny and your diamonds sparkling, but it also ensures that it lasts!

If you’re looking to have your jewelry repaired or cleaned, we recommend scheduling an appointment to visit us in-store. Our educational materials are always available to our clients so that you can stay informed and, of course, you’re always able to make an appointment with one of our design consultants if you’re ready to add a few new jewelry pieces to your collection.