A custom engagement ring or fine jewellery piece is built to last for generations but only with the right care. Daily wear exposes gold, platinum, diamonds, and gemstones to lotions, chlorine, impacts, and everyday grime that can dull brilliance over time. This guide walks through the simple habits, cleaning methods, and storage practices that keep fine jewellery looking as brilliant as the day it was made.
Why Jewellery Care Matters
Fine jewellery isn't just an accessory for many clients, it's a custom-designed piece with sentimental and financial value. Proper care protects that investment in three key ways:
• Preserves brilliance: Oils, lotions, and soap residue build up on stones and dull their sparkle.
• Protects structural integrity: Loose prongs or worn settings can lead to a lost stone if left unchecked.
• Maintains resale and appraisal value: Well-maintained pieces hold their value better over time.
This is especially true for custom engagement rings, which are worn daily and subjected to more wear than occasional-use jewellery.
Daily Habits That Protect Your Jewellery
Small daily habits go a long way toward keeping fine jewellery in excellent condition:
• Remove rings before applying lotion, sunscreen, or hairspray these products dull metal and cloud gemstones.
• Take jewellery off before swimming; chlorine can damage gold alloys and some gemstones over time.
• Remove rings before heavy manual tasks like gardening, gym workouts, or cleaning, which can chip stones or bend prongs.
• Put jewellery on last when getting ready, after makeup and hair products have been applied.
How to Clean Different Metals
Gold (Yellow, White, and Rose)
Soak in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap for 15–20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush (a clean, soft toothbrush works well). Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth. White gold pieces with rhodium plating should be brought to a jeweller periodically for re-plating, as the coating wears down with regular use.
Platinum
Platinum is extremely durable and can be cleaned the same way as gold. Note that platinum develops a natural matte "patina" over time from surface scratches — many clients prefer this look, but a jeweller can polish it back to a high shine if desired.
Silver
Silver tarnishes faster than gold or platinum. Use a dedicated silver polishing cloth for light tarnish, or a warm water and mild soap soak for general cleaning. Store silver in an anti-tarnish pouch when not in use.
How to Clean Diamonds and Gemstones at Home
Diamonds are hard but not immune to buildup from oils and product residue. For a safe at-home clean:
• Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap in a small bowl.
• Soak the piece for 15–20 minutes to loosen buildup.
• Gently brush the stone and setting with a soft-bristled brush, focusing on the underside of the stone where dirt collects.
• Rinse under warm running water (plug the drain first) and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
Coloured gemstones require more caution. Softer or treated stones such as emeralds, opals, tanzanite, and pearls should only be cleaned with a damp soft cloth, never soaked or scrubbed, as soaking can affect fillings or treatments used to enhance clarity and colour.
What Not to Do
A few common mistakes can cause lasting damage:
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Bleach, chlorine, and ammonia-based cleaners can pit gold and damage certain gemstones.
• Skip the ultrasonic cleaner for soft or treated stones: Emeralds, opals, pearls, and turquoise can crack or cloud under ultrasonic vibration this method is best reserved for diamonds set in durable metal, and even then, a jeweller should confirm it's safe for the specific setting.
• Don't use toothpaste: A popular myth, but toothpaste is abrasive enough to scratch softer metals like gold and silver over time.
• Don't share a cleaning brush between fine jewellery and household surfaces, to avoid cross-contamination of grease or grit.
Storage Best Practices
How jewellery is stored between wears matters as much as how it's cleaned:
• Store pieces separately in a lined jewellery box or individual pouches to prevent metals and stones from scratching each other diamonds in particular can scratch other jewellery.
• Keep jewellery away from direct sunlight and humidity, which can affect certain gemstones and cause tarnishing.
• Fasten clasps on necklaces and bracelets before storing to prevent tangling.
• Consider a fabric-lined ring box or ring roll for travel, keeping stones from direct contact with other pieces or hard surfaces.
When to See a Professional
At-home care handles day-to-day maintenance, but a professional jeweller should inspect fine jewellery at least once a year. A professional check-up typically includes:
• Prong and setting inspection to catch loose stones before they're lost.
• Professional ultrasonic or steam cleaning suited to the specific metals and stones in the piece.
• Rhodium re-plating for white gold pieces that have started to show a yellow tone.
• Ring resizing or band repair as needed.
This is especially important for engagement rings and other daily-wear pieces, which experience the most cumulative impact and stress over time.
Special Care for Custom Engagement Rings
Custom engagement rings are typically worn every day, which means they deserve a more frequent care routine than occasional-wear jewellery. A quick at-home soak every one to two weeks, combined with a professional inspection every six to twelve months, keeps a daily-wear ring secure and brilliant for the long term. Clients who worked with Jacob Mercari on a custom design can also reach out anytime with questions specific to their piece's metal, setting style, or stone type.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my engagement ring?
A quick soak-and-brush clean every one to two weeks is ideal for daily-wear rings, with a professional cleaning and inspection every six to twelve months.
Can I clean my diamond ring with soap and water?
Yes. A warm water and mild dish soap soak, followed by gentle brushing with a soft-bristled brush, is a safe and effective way to clean a diamond ring at home.
Is it safe to use an ultrasonic cleaner on all jewellery?
No. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe for diamonds in durable settings but can damage softer or treated stones like emeralds, opals, and pearls. Check with a jeweller before using one on coloured gemstones.
How do I know if my ring's prongs need repair?
Signs include a stone that feels loose or wiggles, a prong that looks flattened or worn thin, or a stone sitting unevenly in its setting. Any of these should prompt a visit to a jeweller as soon as possible.
Does white gold need special maintenance?
Yes. White gold is typically plated with rhodium for its bright white finish, and this plating wears down over time, revealing a yellowish tone underneath. Periodic re-plating restores the original colour.
What's the best way to store jewellery when travelling?
Use a padded ring box or jewellery roll with separate compartments for each piece, keeping stones from rubbing against other jewellery or hard surfaces during transport.
Ready to Find Jewellery That Lasts a Lifetime?
The right care routine keeps a piece brilliant for decades but it starts with a piece built to last in the first place. At Jacob Mercari, every custom engagement ring and fine jewellery design is crafted with quality metals and certified diamonds that are made to be worn, loved, and passed down.
Have a question about caring for a piece you already own, or want to talk through a custom design? Contact Jacob Mercari
