Good quality pieces can last a lifetime. Any piece of jewelry will retain its beauty and last longer if properly cared for; sometimes a simple cleaning can make it look like new. Ideally, jewelry should be professionally cleaned once a year.

You can inspect your pieces for loose or chipped stones, worn links, bent prongs, or malfunctioning clasps. If you find a problem, bring your pieces to one of our store locations for an inspection. Jewelry care and repair helps prevent even more costly repairs or replacements.

Protecting Your Gemstones

All gemstones, including diamonds, can chip, scratch, or abrade under the right circumstances. Avoid wearing rings or bracelets while doing any manual labor, including housework.

Some gemstones are by nature more fragile than others. In general, try not to expose your gemstones to chemicals like chlorine and protect from extreme heat or light. These things can cause fractures, breakage, and discoloration. Try not to wear your jewelry at the beach, as salt water should be avoided as well.

Cleaning Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver tarnishes in the presence of common everyday items that contain sulfur, such as leather, rubber, and chlorine. Other elements to be mindful of are air pollutants and salt water. To help with tarnishing, it is recommended that sterling silver be routinely wiped down with a polishing cloth. For a more thorough cleaning, we recommend having your jewelry professionally cleaned once a year.

Cleaning Gold and Platinum Jewelry

You can clean your gold and platinum jewelry with a gentle dish soap and warm water. Soak each piece and then brush with a soft baby’s toothbrush to get in between the facets and grooves. After brushing, rinse under warm running water, and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Cleaning Jewelry with Crystalline Gemstones

Crystalline gemstones, such as amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, or peridot attract oils and lotions causing them to appear dull. Clean with a gentle dish soap and warm water. Soak each piece and then brush with a soft baby’s toothbrush to get in between the facets and grooves. After brushing, rinse under warm running water, and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

You can add a teaspoon of ammonia to the rinse water when cleaning diamonds, rubies, and sapphires set in gold or platinum. Do not use ammonia on organic gemstones or silver as it will discolor the gemstone and dull the silver.

Cleaning Jewelry with Organic and Opaque Gemstones
Organic gems and opaque stones such as pearls, opals, coral, turquoise, and lapis lazuli, should only be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Household items such as, hairspray, lotions, and perfumes, can cause discoloration and should be avoided.

Wash pearls periodically with a mild soap (not detergent) and a soft cloth. Rinse pearls in clean water and dab with a cotton towel to dry.
Opals and pearls are organic stones and require humidity. To prevent dryness and cracking make sure they are stored properly.
We are happy to professionally clean any Jack Sutton Jewelry for our clients. We will also inspect periodically to ensure that your pieces stay intact and beautiful for years to come.