Care and Cleaning of Fine Jewelry


Fine jewelry is meant to be worn and handed down to the next generation.  A little extra care for your fine jewelry will ensure that it will remain looking beautiful!  Each type of jewelry and timepiece is individual and needs to be cared for differently.


DIAMOND JEWELRY

  • Do not wear diamond jewelry – especially rings – when doing rough work.  Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature – it can still be chipped by a blow at the right angle.
  • Chlorine can cause damage and discolor the mounting on your diamond jewelry.  Keep your diamond away from household chemicals and remove your diamond jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.
  • Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner – like the cleaner we stock at Zerbe Jewelers – or make your own diamond cleaner using a mix of a capful of ammonia, a drop of mild detergent (that does not contain lemon), and a cup of warm water.  Dip jewelry into solution and use a soft brush to clean under the setting.  Thoroughly rinse and dry your jewelry.
  • Avoid touching your clean diamonds with your fingers – handle clean jewelry by the edges.

 


COLORED GEMSTONE JEWELRY

  • Most natural gemstones are treated or enhanced from the time they are extracted from the earth by one or more traditionally accepted industry practices.  These treatments and enhancements affect how you should care for your colored stone jewelry.  Consult the professionals at Zerbe Jewelers for more information on caring for treated or enhanced gemstones.
  • Store gemstone pieces individually in soft pouches.  We can provide tarnish-proof bags and travel-safe pouches.
  • Do not expose your gemstone pieces to saltwater or chemicals such as chlorine or detergents.
  • Apply all cosmetics, colognes, or perfumes before putting on your colored stone jewelry.  Wipe your gemstones with a soft, slightly damp cloth before storage.
  • Take extra precautions with fine colored gemstone jewelry.  Emeralds and opals, for example, should not be worn doing household chores or any other activity where the stone could be hit and damaged.  Do not subject gemstone jewelry to sudden temperature changes.
  • Almost all gemstone jewelry can be safely cleaned using a mild soap and water solution and a soft brush.  Thoroughly rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

 


GOLD JEWELRY

  • Remove gold jewelry before showering or cleaning.  Soap can leave a film on gold jewelry leaving it dull and dingy.
  • To clean your gold jewelry at home, you’ll find many commercial cleaners available.  In addition, you will find a soft gold-cleaning cloth and effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces shining.  Zerbe Jewelers stocks a custom jewelry cleaning solution for use at home.
  • Be careful of chlorine – it can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry.  Avoid contact with chlorine bleach and do not wear gold jewelry in a chlorinated pool or hot tub.
  • If there is heavy tarnish on your jewelry – consult your jewelry professional at Zerbe Jewelers for the best cleaning method.  You should also talk to us before attempting to clean any karat gold jewelry set with colored gemstones because some stone require special cleaning procedures.
  • Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol.  Again, check with Zerbe’s about colored gemstone pieces.

 


STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

  • Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, thoroughly rinse and use a polishing cloth.  For more stubborn dirt or tarnish, use jewelry cleaner designed for silver use.  The professionals at Zerbe Jewelers are happy to recommend an appropriate brand.  Do not use tissue paper or paper towels – the fibers in these products can cause scratches.
  • Store your silver in a cool, dry place – preferably in a tarnish preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of cloth.  Store pieces individually so they don’t scratch.
  • Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light – which causes tarnish – during storage.  Avoid contact with chlorinated water or household chemicals.

 


PLATINUM JEWELRY

  • Platinum jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry.  Your jewelry professionals at Zerbe Jewelers recommend a custom jewelry cleaner – or ask us to clean your platinum jewelry.  A professional cleaning every six months or so will keep your platinum jewelry in fine shape.
  • Store your platinum jewelry separately and not allowing pieces to touch each other to avoid scratching.

 


PEARL JEWELRY

  • Apply cosmetics, hair sprays, colognes and perfumes before putting on your pearl jewelry.  When you remove the jewelry, wipe it with a soft cloth to remove any traces of these substances.
  • You can also wash your pearl jewelry with a mild soap and water solution.  Rinse and dry thoroughly.  Always lay cultured pearl strands flat on a soft cloth to dry.  Hanging a strand may stretch the threads.
  • Place cultured pearls in a cloth bag or wrap them in tissue for storage or travel.  A pearl’s surface is soft and can be scratched by other jewelry.
  • Cosmetics, perspiration, oils, and ordinary wear and tear weaken and stretch the threads on which pearls are strung.  Bring your pearls back to Zerbe Jewelers for professional restringing.  The National Pearl Council recommends restringing annually, however we advise on a case-by-case basis, depending on how frequently the pearls are worn.

 


WATCHES

  • No matter how handy you are – do not attempt to perform watch repairs yourself.  Zerbe Jewelers expert watch professionals have been trusted for generations to put your watch back into working condition.
  • Give your watch a quick check on a regular basis, making sure that the strap or bracelet is securely attached to the watch. 
  • A mechanical watch should be checked regularly by an authorized dealer and serviced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.  At Zerbe Jewelers, we have the experience to determine how your mechanical watch should be serviced to maintain its integrity.  We work with some of the world’s finest watch manufacturers.
  • Wind your mechanical watch in a clockwise direction.  Remove the watch from your wrist when winding so as to not place undue pressure on the stem.
  • Replace broken or cracked crystals immediately.  Even a hairline crack can let dust and moisture into the watch mechanism.
  • Unless the degree of water-resistance is clearly specified when you purchase your watch, do not wear it in the shower or on a moist wrist.  Never wear a fine watch in a hot tub.
  • Replace the battery in your quartz watch as soon as you notice it is not running correctly – some quartz watches have a “low battery” indicator.  A dead battery left in a watch can leak or corrode – ruining the timepiece.  If your watch is water-resistant, a water-resistance test should be performed after the battery has been replaced to ensure that water will not leak into and damage the watch.
  • Battery life varies according to the type of watch and its functions.  Zerbe Jewelers guarantees battery life for one year from replacement.  Refer to your owner’s manual for more information.
  • Oils from your skin can build up on a watch.  If your watch has a leather or material strap – you should clean only the watch face and not the strap.  Please feel free to drop by Zerbe Jewelers for a professional watch cleaning to keep your timepiece looking its best.
  • If your watch is not water-resistant, or you are not sure – do not immerse it in water.  Clean the piece with a slightly damp cloth and then thoroughly dry.