The Mulu blog
How to Care for Your Jewelry
How to clean, store and protect gold, silver and gemstones so they last.
A little routine care keeps jewelry looking its best and helps you catch small problems before a stone is lost.
Everyday habits
- Put jewelry on last, after perfume, hairspray and lotion.
- Take it off for swimming, cleaning, the gym and heavy work.
- Store pieces separately so harder stones do not scratch softer ones.
Cleaning at home
For gold and hard stones such as diamond, sapphire and ruby, soak briefly in warm water with mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Clean sterling silver with a soft polishing cloth.
Stones that need extra care
Pearl, opal, emerald, turquoise and tanzanite should not go in an ultrasonic cleaner or near harsh chemicals. Wipe pearls with a soft, damp cloth. Keep opals away from sudden temperature changes. Learn more about each stone in our stone library.
Have settings checked
Prongs wear down and settings can loosen with everyday knocks. If a stone moves or a prong looks bent, stop wearing the piece and have it looked at. It is sensible to have rings you wear daily checked regularly by a jeweler.