How to Properly Care for Your Jewelry | Jewelry Insurance

A big part of jewelry insurance is never having to use it. {find more on engagement ring insurance}

This is a comprehensive guide to properly care for the jewelry you value.

One of our three core principles here at The Murray Group (Give. Guide. Grow) to help insurance consumers do the little risk management actions that can save them from ever having use their insurance.

I know accidents are unavoidable and that is why you have jewelry insurance, but it is never a good day when you lose or damage a valuable piece of jewelry.

So besides assisting our clients with carrying the right type and amount of jewelry insurance coverage, it is important that we provide you the resource of information on assuring that jewelry is kept in its best condition.

Properly caring for jewelry puts you in a better position to recover your jewelry’s full value in case of a loss.

Some of this information may seem obvious, a course of common sense, however a simple reminder of proper care and handling procedures is always a good idea.

General Jewelry Care Tips

1) Avoid swimming pools while wearing jewelry.  First jewelry gets lost in swimming pools (this goes for the ocean as well) and second chlorine can damage many of the precious metals used in jewelry.

2) Regularly check your jewelry for loose stones.  A good tool for this is a simple toothpick. Avoid making these types of inspections over a sink or tub (stone could fall into their drains) or cover any drain opening first.

3) Delicate jewelry chains of all kinds should be stored in special boxes or be carefully hung up. These methods prevent tangling (and possible breakage, which would not be covered by jewelry insurance).

4) It is a very good idea to clean your jewelry regularly using the proper solutions and cleaning techniques recommended by your jeweler.

5) Here are a few place that you should NEVER store jewelry:

• Near a heat source including heat vent, dryer, stove, microwave, hot water tank or pipes…
• In direct sunlight…
• Near any type of movable apparatus such as vehicle dashboards, open sink or tub drains, or window sills.

6) When removing your jewelry always secure in a safe place rather than a temporary location such as your pocket or the arm rest of your car. Jostling of your jewelry could cause serious damage

7) If possible always store your jewelry in individual containers to avoid the risk of scratching other pieces of jewelry.

8) Never wear your earrings and necklaces to bed.

9) When washing your face or applying make-up, remove jewelry first, when you’ve finished what you have to do then put your jewelry back on. Then chemicals contained in many common forms of make up and cleanser can damage your the precious metals in your jewelry and take the shine off.

10) Never wear jewelry during athletic activities, cleaning or gardening since they unnecessarily exposed to potential damage.

Techniques in Caring for Specific Types of Jewelry

Diamonds

• Make sure that you are being extra cautious anytime you’re engaged in rigorous activity, as a hard blow could chip the stone or knock it out of the setting. Because diamonds often have settings to showcase the stones, they’re more vulnerable to damage or loss than embedded mountings.
• When cleaning the diamond, use mild detergent or sudsy ammonia. A pre-cleaning soak in alcohol helps to remove greasy film build-up.  Also many jewelers have specific solutions for diamond care.
• Soft brushing or even using a toothpick while cleaning your diamond is a good way to remove dirt around prongs and settings.
• Avoid contact with chlorine bleach which can cause severe damage and discoloration to the mountings holding your diamond in place.
• Have your jeweler check the prongs and mountings around your diamond on an annual basis to ensure everything is still snug.

Gold

In addition to the tips above when caring for gold:

• Avoid harsh cleaners and chlorine bleach
• Always store separately from other jewelry items to avoid scratching
• If damage does occur have corrections fixed by an experienced jeweler quickly to restore value and prevent more serious loss or damage.

Other Than Diamonds

When handling gemstones it is extremely important that you do not store them in direct sunlight. Depending upon the type of stone, sunlight may result in fading or discoloration which could be impossible to correct.

Otherwise many of the same care and handling tips apply with gemstones that apply to diamond. Many gemstones are much softer than diamonds so it’s very important to consult your jewelry before using any type of cleaning solution beyond water on your gemstones.

Pearls

• Avoid direct or prolonged contact with cosmetics, perfumes, and hair sprays
• Clean and restring pearls regularly to prevent stretching, soiling and weakening of the string
• Be sure that pearls are strung properly. Knots tied between pearls are a more secure method and prevent pearls in the strand from rubbing against each other
• Do not store pearls in plastic bags!
• Store pearl strands flat rather than hang them. Pearls are usually strung on silk which is prone to stretching
• Store separately from other items and it is helpful to wrap pearls in tissue paper before storing
• Wash pearls with mild soap and water (do not use other cleaners) after each wearing

Silver

• Store silver in plastic bags that can be sealed. This method reduces exposure to air, making the silver less vulnerable to tarnishing
• Minimize silver’s exposure to water and certainly do not allow contact with solvents and common household cleaners
• Sterling silver will polish up by rubbing or buffing it with a soft cotton cloth

Watches

Watches serve a practical, necessary function: telling time. Therefore, no matter what jewels, features, or precious metals a watch contains, a watch that does not work is a paperweight. Be careful to avoid harm to a watch from sources of loss that can be easily avoided, such as wearing an expensive watch while performing strenuous or sports activities, household maintenance or gardening.

The Insurance Take-Away

Taking proper care of your jewelry is just as important, if not more important, that purchasing the proper jewelry insurance.  Most of the care tips listed above are easy, common sense ideas, but if you take the time to follow them you can drastically reduce the chance of ever having to use your jewelry insurance.

If you have any questions about jewelry insurance or if you would like to receive a quote for your jewelry insurance give us a call at (518) 456-6688 or you can start a quote by email.

Thank you,

Ryan Hanley