How To Care For Your Fine Jewellery
There is a common ideology that fine jewellery rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings are indestructible however this is not the case. Despite being made from solid metal and durable gemstones there remains a certain level of care that should be maintained to ensure the longevity of your special piece. Continue reading to discover the best methods of caring for your engagement, wedding and fine jewellery.
SHOULD I HAVE MY FINE JEWELLERY INSURED?
When it comes to caring for your sentimental pieces, one of the best things you can do is enlist an independent insurance company to protect your special piece in the event that it is lost, stolen or damaged. This will cover anything outside of our warranty and protect you and your special piece from circumstances out of your control. Here at LOUISE JEAN we highly recommend Q Report, who specialise in fine jewellery and engagement ring insurance. To find out more click here.
* Please ensure you undertake your own insurance research as the above information is provided as a general guide and has not taken into account your specific objectives, needs, and/or financial situation.
SHOULD I WEAR MY ENGAGEMENT RING EVERYDAY?
All LOUISE JEAN pieces are crafted with precious metals and gems that are not indestructible and can easily be damaged with improper care. Your special piece is delicate and valuable and should be treated as such. See below for commonly asked instances of when you should avoid wearing your fine jewellery including engagement and wedding rings.
Pool & Ocean
The pool and the beach are certainly two places you should avoid wearing your fine jewellery. The pool for example contains a multitude of chemicals that can tarnish and reduce the lustre of your jewellery. Not only can it affect the overall appearance of necklaces, bracelets and earrings but the chances of losing your rings increases significantly. This can occur due to the colder temperatures causing your fingers to reduce in size. For some, this can be quite a significant size difference and quite often the end result is a client not being able to retrieve their rings that have unknowingly fallen off.
Cleaning & General Household Tasks
Similar to the pool, you should always remove your fine jewellery when cleaning, completing household activities or working with harsh chemicals. For instance, bleach and other cleaning agents can significantly compromise the appearance of precious metals and gemstones. Even general household activities such as changing sheets on your bed can also put unnecessary pressure on your ring.
Cooking
We recommend taking off your jewellery before cooking to not only avoid trapping food and other particles in your piece but to also reduce the risk of cross-contamination with your food. When wearing your rings in the kitchen you will also increase the chances of damaging them with sharp and heavy objects such as knives, cooking pans and chopping boards.
Shower & Beauty Routines
Other harmful chemicals that can harm and affect your fine jewellery include ones commonly found in the shower and during beauty routines. Dust from powders and grease from lotions will quickly accumulate in the small corners of your piece and will dull the sparkle of precious metals and gemstones.
Gym
One of the most common ways we see rings get scratched, dented or bent is during weightlifting or other manual and exercise activities. Sweat build-up can also dull the sparkle of your ring. Overall the gym is not the place for your engagement and wedding rings, and by avoiding these conditions you’ll not only increase the longevity of your ring but also reduce the chance of it getting lost or damaged. For necklaces, bracelets and earrings, we recommend a similar approach. The gym is full of opportunities for fine jewellery to become caught on equipment and risks tension on our delicate chains.
Sleeping
While it's not the most dangerous activity, sleeping with your fine jewellery on is still not recommended. It can put unnecessary pressure on rings, which can lead to a multitude of issues such as bent prongs, dislodged diamonds, and overall can affect the integrity of the piece. Additionally, you run the risk of hand swelling, torn sheets, getting caught in hair, and also scratching yourself or loved one.
WHEN MY FINE JEWELLERY NEEDS A CLEAN WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Although there are instances we can avoid to reduce build-up and dirt getting trapped in our pieces, it is also inevitable that your fine jewellery will need to be cleaned. To follow our at-home cleaning routine click here.
