Jewelry Care

You love your beautiful jewelry and the cherished memory associated with some of your most precious pieces is irreplaceable – that's why gemsofzodiac.com offers this handy guide to jewelry maintenance and safekeeping.

How to Care for Your Rings

Keep It Clean.
Most jewelers will clean your ring free of charge, so take advantage of this courtesy. If you don't have time to get to the jewelry store, there are a few ways to clean your ring at home.

You can obtain a fairly priced jewelry cleaning solution or even an affordable ultrasonic cleaner to get things sparkling easier. If that's not an option, some good old home remedies will do a good job as well

Gemsofzodiac.com suggests using a gentle dish detergent to clean the buildup from the bottom of the mounting. Simply scrub the top and bottom with a soft toothbrush and rinse several times in hot water. For extra shine, soak your ring in a small bowl of ammonia diluted with three times the amount of water, and gently brush the top and bottom of the mounting with a soft toothbrush. Dip the ring into the solution again, then rinse in warm water several times to be sure to get all of the solution off. You may set the ring on a soft towel to dry, or gently pat it dry. 

NOTE: DO NOT DO IT OVER AN OPEN DRAIN! 

Take It Off.

Believe it or not, caring for your jewelry, especially rings, occasionally means taking it off, especially during the following activities:

  • Sports: Holding a tennis racket tightly is particularly not good for a ring with stones going all the way around -- especially if you're left-handed. As for taking your ring to the gym, lifting weights with it on can be hazardous. You wouldn't want a heavy dumbbell making contact with your stone.
  • Gardening: It is possible to chip your stones or knock the settings loose while doing heavy yard work.
  • Cleaning house: It's a good idea not to wear your ring while doing the dishes: harsh chemical soaps or cleansers can soil the ring. As for a personalized photo ring, it's a good idea to take it off while washing hands.

Safekeeping.

  • If you'll be taking your ring off to do the activities above, make sure you have a safe -- and memorable -- a place to put it.
  • Keep It Free From Lotion, Sunscreen, And Perfume. These products can gunk up your ring- it's a good idea to take it off before you apply the product.
  • These products can gunk up your diamond, and even etch colored gemstones. It's a good idea to take your ring off before you put these things on.
  • Have Your Setting Checked Regularly. Gemstones do become loose in the setting due to no fault of your own or the manufacturer's.
  • Most jewelers recommend you have your setting checked every six months to make sure nothing has become loose. 
  • DON'T SWIM IN THE OCEAN WHILE WEARING YOUR JEWELRY! Cold water may shrink your fingers just enough to loosen the ring from your finger, and if you lose it in the deep blue sea, you won't be seeing it again. A chain or necklace may slip off your neck due to less gravity or body position in the water.
  • Don't Wear Jewelry In Swimming Pools and Spas - Chlorinated water can react with the metals found in jewelry causing color changes and even structural damage. As a result, it's a good idea to remove jewelry before entering the pool or spa. Not to mention the reasons described above about ocean swimming.
  • Remove Your Jewelry Before Bathing - Remove all jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film you immediately reduce the occasions of servicing. And again, soap is a slippery substance, your jewelry may slip off without you noticing and lost in the gym shower for example.