• Julie ring in sterling silver (925), engraved Gogane flower

    • Caring for Your Jewelry: Simple Habits That Make It Last

    Written by: L'atelier NAGOYA

    Fine jewelry is made to last, and a few habits are enough to keep it bright. Here are the gestures we recommend at our workshop, and those we advise against.

    Good everyday habits

    • Take your jewelry off to swim: pool chlorine and seawater can tarnish metals and damage some stones.
    • Put on perfume, lotion and hairspray before your jewelry, never after.
    • Remove it for sports, gardening or housework: knocks and household products are its worst enemies.
    • Store each piece separately, in its box or in a compartment case, so that stones do not scratch the metal and chains do not tangle.
    • Keep it away from humidity: a bedroom suits it better than a bathroom.
    Rubellite tourmaline ring with a diamond surround, in its box
    In its box, the piece is protected.

    Gentle cleaning, suitable for almost everything

    Dust, lotion and perspiration build up behind stones and dim their sparkle. For most jewelry, the safest method is also the simplest: lukewarm water, a little mild soap, a soft toothbrush kept for this purpose, then a rinse and a dry with a soft cloth (GIA). If you wear a piece every day, you can clean it this way once a month.

    Avoid, however, abrasive or acidic home remedies, boiling water and household cleaners: they can damage alloys, treated stones and settings.

    By metal

    Gold is cleaned with warm soapy water, then buffed with a chamois. Silver tarnishes naturally over time: a soft cloth or a wash in soapy water brings back its shine; stored away from the air, it tarnishes more slowly. Discover our silver pieces in Silver Essentials.

    By stone

    • Diamond and sapphire: these very hard stones handle warm soapy water and gentle brushing well.
    • Emerald: most emeralds are treated to fill their fissures. No ultrasonic cleaner and no steam, which could bring this treatment out; warm soapy water is enough (GIA).
    • Opal: opal is sensitive to knocks; a soft, damp cloth is enough.
    • All stones: if you are unsure whether a stone has been treated, avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam, and ask for advice.

    Bringing your piece to our workshop

    Over time, prongs wear down and a stone can work loose. If a stone catches, if a diamond “rattles” when you tap the piece, or if the sparkle has gone despite cleaning, have it examined. Our workshop provides care and restoration for all our pieces.

    Prongs and diamonds of a surround seen under the microscope during setting
    The prongs of a surround, checked under the microscope.

    A well-cared-for piece can be passed down. And when it has lived a lot, it can even be redesigned: we tell the story of a complete restoration in A Modernized Engagement Ring.

    Would you rather talk it over in person? We welcome you by appointment at our workshop, 44 rue de Rouen in Saumur, France, or you can write to us from our contact page.