Yay! You have a new piece of jewelry and you want to enjoy it forever. We’ve got you covered. This list will go over the most common reasons our customers come in for repairs—and what you can do about it.
To prevent scratching, tangling, and bacteria growth, fine jewelry should always be stored in a clean, dry place free from any rough edges or loose items. Even small amounts of moisture or brushing against hard surfaces can weaken settings and dull finishes.
To give your jewelry the care it deserves, use a dedicated storage space. Storing your jewelry in the fabric-lined case that came with it when you purchased it or in a quality jewelry tray or box will help keep it separated from other items.
Be sure to apply hairspray, lotions, and perfumes before putting on your jewelry. While safe for your skin, the chemicals in these products can easily damage precious metals and pearls which will dull the shine of gemstones.
Fine jewelry also shouldn’t be worn when doing household cleaning, maintenance, or gardening.
Because the prongs and metalwork of fine jewelry can snag on items around you or fall off if your skin is wet from sweat or water, many people choose to leave their jewelry at home when they visit the gym, go to the beach, or participate in vigorous outdoor activities.
Even if you find it hard to part with your jewelry when taking to the yoga mat or participating in barre class, we advise our customers to at least remove jewelry when engaged in activities such as swimming, weight lifting, or contact sports. Putting pressure against the stones and settings can cause them to weaken.
Gentle jewelry cleanings at home can keep your jewelry looking its best, and they can also give you the opportunity to inspect your jewelry for damage.
Using warm water, mild dish soap, and a gentle brush (we recommend a toothbrush!) is enough to bring the sparkle back to your jewelry, but remember: Zadok Jewelers also provides free steam cleaning and brightening to all our clients. If you ever feel your piece is looking a little dull, please don’t hesitate to visit us.
A lost stone isn’t the only risk that comes with loose settings. Certain gemstones can crack or break if hit while prongs are damaged.
Prongs on rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces set with stones should be checked twice a year to ensure the stones are safely secured. Consider combining a professional cleaning with a prong check from the experienced gemologists at Zadok Jewelers for all pieces you purchased with us.
We recommend checking the clasps on bracelets and necklaces every few months. If you notice a clasp is sticky or not closing properly, we will gladly replace it for you at no cost. We also recommend putting a safety clasp on valuable pieces to prevent loss in the event a clasp fails.
This may sound silly, but if you wear more than one ring, be careful when you clap! Even if some of the pieces are fashion jewelry, hitting them together can scratch the surface of your rings and knock stones loose from their settings. This is the same reason you should take care that the stones on stacking rings don’t touch when they’re on your hand.
If you’ve insured your jewelry, congratulations! Insuring valuable pieces is a crucial part of protecting your investment. You should, however, have your insured pieces reappraised every three to four years to ensure your premium is accurate. You don’t want to pay more than necessary on your premiums.
At Zadok Jewelers, we are built on the core belief that the customer is the center of our business. We are ready to assist you at all stages in your jewelry experience and have expert on-site bench jewelers should any issues arise. Our goal is to make the process of purchasing—and caring for—your jewelry as easy as possible with a team you can trust.
If you have questions about how to best care for your jewelry, please reach out to the expert gemologists at Zadok Jewelers. Our team is always more than happy to help you feel confident in your ability to preserve your pieces.
