But over time, all fine jewelry begins to lose its shine. Silver and other metals will eventually tarnish. Deposits of debris and daily grime will cause gemstones to look dull and dirty. Following a daily jewelry cleaning regimen and jewelry care best practices can preserve the life of your jewelry and keep it looking great for many years.

Here are some jewelry care tips to help you maintain the stunning appeal of your fine jewelry.

1. Store your jewelry in a clean, dry space.

This seems like an obvious tip, but at the end of the day, we’ve all been guilty of tossing our jewelry in a drawer or on the nightstand. It’s best to keep your jewelry in a fabric-lined case that has compartments and dividers for your jewelry. If you don’t have a jewelry case, make sure to wrap each piece of jewelry in a soft tissue or paper before placing it in a drawer. This will prevent scratching and tangling. For sterling silver jewelry, get an anti-tarnish bag or cloth to limit exposure to air and moisture.

2. Avoid damaging chemicals.

Hairspray, lotion, and perfume can be damaging to certain types of metals and colored gems. Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are especially susceptible to discoloration from these everyday care products. When getting ready in the morning or preparing for a night out, set your jewelry aside, or better yet, leave your jewelry in its case until you’re ready to wear it.

3. Use mild cleaners for regular cleanings.

One of the best jewelry cleaning methods involves warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush. However, ultrasonic jewelry cleaning has become popular for jewelry lovers looking for a more thorough approach to cleaning their jewelry.

If you’re considering ultrasonic cleaning, it’s best to leave your jewelry in the care of trained jewelers who understand how to use this technology safely. Ultrasonic cleaning can sometimes shake gems loose or chip gemstones if used incorrectly. Plus, organic gemstones like pearls, coral, ivory, and amber should not be cleaned ultrasonically. The same applies to gems impacted by heat and temperature changes like tanzanite, moonstone, opal, turquoise, and topaz.

4. When in doubt, take it off.

The swimming pool isn’t an ideal place for your fine jewelry. Neither is the gym. Even when preparing a meal or doing household chores, it’s a good idea to store your jewelry in a safe place. Not only will this protect your treasured pieces from harsh chemicals and debris buildup, but it will also help you avoid losing your jewelry. Retrieving your ring from the bottom of a pool drain is a nightmare you should never have to experience.

Always remove jewelry before showering, swimming, or strenuous activities to prevent damage from water, sweat, and chemicals like chlorine.

Tarnishing Process:
Naturally occurring over time due to exposure to oxygen and sulfur, tarnishing affects silver. Interestingly, the more you wear your silver jewelry, the slower it tarnishes as the natural oils from your skin act as a preventive measure. For proper storage, it is recommended to keep your jewelry in an airtight plastic bag placed in a cool dry place.
Platinum Plating:
To enhance both durability and tarnish resistance, Flower Vibe has implemented platinum plating on all their Silver plated jewelry. This thick layer of platinum not only strengthens the metal but also provides exceptional resistance to oxidation and wear. By incorporating this additional layer onto their silver pieces, Flower Vibe offers customers jewelry that is long-lasting and maintains its luster.
Maintenance Precautions:
Avoid exposing fine jewelry to chlorine present in swimming pools or hot tubs, as well as when using bleach or harsh cleansers; these substances can cause damage to the metal.
Cleaning Process:
For effective cleaning of tarnished antique silver, utilize a polishing cloth. Simply wipe the jewelry gently with the cloth until it regains its shine. Don’t be concerned if the cloth smudges or turns black during this process; it’s normal and indicates that tarnish is being removed