Care + Cleaning

jewelry cleaner

Caring for your jewelry properly ensures it will last a lifetime. Just like so many other things in life, establishing a cleaning routine for your jewelry is the best way to ensure it stays looking pristine. 

Take off your jewelry in active situations, clean it at home, and get rings professionally cleaned every 6 months. If you need at home cleaning supplies, we recommend our foam cleaner or jewelry cleaning pen

jewelry cleaning and care

Cleaning Your Jewelry at Home

Caring for your fine jewelry includes some additional awareness when wearing these pieces. While gold is a durable metal that has been used for generations to create wearable jewelry pieces, it requires specific care to maintain its beauty and strength over time. 

Prong Set Rings and Jewelry:

The prongs in these pieces are there to hold stones securely in place. However, they are still susceptible to bending or breaking if snagged. If you find that your piece is catching on your clothing or hair, inspect the item and make sure that there are no gaps between the prong and stone. If you notice anything that looks off, please contact our team as soon as possible to have your piece inspected. 

Bezel Set Rings and Jewelry:

Bezel settings are one of the more secure ways of setting stones, but a stone can become loose in a bezel if the item is knocked against a hard surface. If you notice the stone wiggling in the setting, don't hesitate to contact our team to discuss this issue. We also recommend removing your rings when doing anything that requires a firm grip, such as mountain biking, skiing, or weight lifting, to avoid any misshaping to the band. 

jewelry cleaning guide

A gold specific jewelry polishing cloth is a great option for keeping the gold elements of your jewelry clean, especially if your item has a more delicate stone set in it. Read the instructions for the cloth and gently rub the cloth over the exposed gold areas on the item, but avoid the stones in your piece.

Gemstone and Diamond Cleaning Specifics:

Precious Gemstones

Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are safe to clean using the instructions above and are safe to clean in an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaning. Our Sarah O. cleaning products are also safe to use on these gems. Emeralds can be cleaned using warm water and a soft brush. Avoid contact with any alcohol-based cleaners or harsh detergents. Exposure to these chemicals can change the color of your gemstone. 

sapphire ring

Semi-Precious Gemstones:

Gemstones are often more susceptible to heated cleaning (like steam cleaning) since most stones can change color, crack, or break when exposed to high temperatures. Our standard cleaning recommendations or an ultrasonic is a great way to get a deep clean but avoid any heated settings. Stones such as Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Citrine, Garnet, and Peridot are especially susceptible to heat cleaning.

Moonstone, labradorite, and sunstone are all members of the feldspar family and have some unique characteristics regarding wear and cleaning. These stones are susceptible to breaking if exposed to high heat or sudden temperature changes, so be mindful of where you store these pieces. All of these stones are on the softer side and can be scratched or broken under undo pressure. We recommend using any of our cleaning solutions or warm water and dish soap for gentle cleaning. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are never recommended. 

moonstone ring

Opals have a gorgeous multi-color fire that makes them unique and requires special care to keep that fire visible and vibrant. Remove your opal piece any time you wash your hands, work out, or bathe - we want to avoid submerging these stones in water. Consistent water or sweat exposure can change the opal's color and eliminate that beautiful fire.

Clean your opal with a clean damp cloth, then use a fresh cloth to dry the stone thoroughly. Allow the opal to dry fully before wearing. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are never recommended. Opals set in jewelry should be kept in a dark, dry place when they’re not being worn.

opal fine jewelry

Turquoise also requires a different approach to cleaning. Using any cleaning solution or soap can dull the vibrant colors of the turquoise. We recommend using a clean damp cloth to wipe down the stone, then drying the piece thoroughly. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are never recommended.

carved turquoise ring

Skin Discoloration:

Gold is durable enough for daily wear, but it is still a porous material that can absorb anything applied to the skin. If you wear your piece daily without regular cleaning, those elements can build up and leave a black or green mark on the skin. If your item has been exposed to any harsh detergents or chemicals, that may cause a reaction with the alloy metals in your jewelry and leave a mark as well. Wearing your piece while working out or in a more humid climate may also lead to discoloration.

The discoloration on the skin can be washed off with soap and water, and we recommend giving your piece a good cleaning to remove any build-up that may have accumulated. Stop wearing this piece immediately and contact us if you are experiencing any redness or irritation.