Handling
Care of jewellery
With the right care your jewellery can last a lifetime or two. Stones such as rubies and sapphires are normally hard (less vulnerable to scratching) and tough (less vulnerable to breaking) and can be worn everyday. Others, such as opal, are more vulnerable to hard knocks and are best worn just from time to time or else mounted in more protective settings.
Storage and travel
The best way to put on and take off a ring is by handling just the band that goes around the finger and not the stone. This helps keep the gemstone and stone setting clean.
Padded jewellery boxes or cases are ideal for storage or travel, as they stop pieces scratching or damaging each other.
It is always a good idea to remove jewellery when using strong cleaners or solvents.
Some chlorination treatments in swimming pools may also affect jewellery, so it is best to remove fine jewellery before swimming.
If your jewellery needs cleaning, it can be done with a soft, clean cloth and warm, soapy water. Never use harsh cleaning chemicals and never scrub with a toothbrush. A jeweller can provide ultrasonic cleaning and steam cleaning but note that while these are safe for many stones, some softer gemstones should definitely not be cleaned this way.
Travelling with jewellery
- Take jewellery in your carry-on bag, not in checked baggage.
- Before you leave home, lay the pieces out and take a photograph in case anything is lost or stolen.
- Loop a thin necklace chain through a drinking straw to stop it getting tangled.
- Attach a pair of stud earrings to a large button to keep them together.
- If your hotel room has a room safe, keep your jewellery in it.
