Fine jewelry is made to last a lifetime, but precious metals and gemstones require proper care. Many everyday routines can dull, scratch, or weaken your favorite pieces without you realizing it.
Here are five common habits damaging your jewelry—and quick fixes to keep them sparkling.
1. Wearing Rings While Applying Lotion or Hand Sanitizer
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The Damage: Lotions leave a cloudy film behind gems and under prongs, blocking light and deadening sparkle. Sanitizer solvents can dull metal finishes over time.
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The Fix: Put your rings on after your lotion or hand sanitizer has fully dried.
2. Swimming in Pools or Hot Tubs
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The Damage: Chlorine is fine jewelry’s worst enemy. It chemically attacks and degrades metal alloys—especially karat gold—making prongs brittle enough to snap.
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The Fix: Remove all fine jewelry before stepping into treated water or hot tubs.
3. Sleeping in Your Necklaces and Rings
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The Damage: Tossing and turning snags delicate chains, stretches metal links, and forces ring prongs against bedsheets, risking lost accent stones.
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The Fix: Keep a lined dish or velvet ring holder on your nightstand so removing your jewelry becomes a seamless bedtime habit.
4. Cleaning Everything with Harsh Household Cleaners
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The Damage: Bleach, ammonia, and abrasive powders can etch soft gems (like pearls or opals) and strip surface coatings from precious metals.
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The Fix: Stick to mild dish soap mixed in warm water, paired with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
5. Throwing All Your Pieces into One Jewelry Box
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The Damage: Diamonds scratch everything—including other diamonds. Metals rub together, leaving micro-scratches.
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The Fix: Store pieces separately in individual fabric pouches or a compartmentalized organizer.
Is your favorite piece due for a tune-up? Bring your rings and necklaces into The Top Jewelers for a professional cleaning and prong inspection!
