Jewellery Care & Cleaning Guide

At Jago Jewellers in St Albans, we see every day how simple habits can make a real difference to how well jewellery holds up over time. Whether it’s a piece you wear daily or something you save for special occasions, a few easy routines can help protect its shine, structure and security.

Our guide shares practical, everyday jewellery care tips, including how to clean and store your jewellery.

Professional Checks Make a Real Difference

One of the most important things you can do for your jewellery is to have it checked professionally on a regular basis. We always recommend bringing pieces into our St Albans store for a check-up at least once a year. This allows us to look for loose stones, signs of wear, weakened settings or thinning claws before they become bigger problems.

These small checks can make all the difference, helping to protect your jewellery from damage and avoiding more costly repairs in the future.

How to Store Jewellery Properly

How you store your jewellery has a huge impact on how well it lasts. Pieces that rub together in a jewellery box can easily scratch, especially when diamonds are involved, as they are hard enough to mark other metals and softer stones.

The best approach is to store items separately, ideally in soft-lined compartments or pouches. Chains should be laid flat or hung to prevent tangling, Avoid leaving jewellery in damp places such as a bathroom , as moisture can accelerate tarnishing and deterioration.

Jewellery Care and Cleaning at Home

Keeping jewellery clean doesn’t require harsh chemicals or specialist equipment. In most cases, a gentle, regular clean is all that’s needed to maintain its sparkle and shine.

Gold Cleaning

Gold cleaning should always be gentle. Warm water, mild detergent and a soft toothbrush are usually all that’s required to restore its natural glow. Regular light cleaning prevents dullness and keeps gold jewellery looking bright without damaging the surface. Abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals should always be avoided, as they can wear down the metal over time.

Silver Cleaning

Silver naturally tarnishes as it reacts with air and moisture, which is completely normal. Regular silver cleaning helps slow this process and keeps silver jewellery looking fresh and luminous.

Light tarnish can often be managed at home, but heavier oxidation is best handled professionally. If your silver jewellery has lost its brightness, we’re always happy to clean it safely in-store.

Everyday Wear

Even precious jewellery isn’t indestructible. Everyday activities such as sports, housework, gardening and washing dishes all increase the risk of knocks, scratches and impact damage.

Gold, platinum and diamonds are durable materials, but repeated contact and pressure can still lead to dents, worn settings and surface damage. Removing jewellery during physical tasks is a simple habit that protects your pieces without limiting how often you can enjoy wearing them.

Caring for Gemstones

Gemstones are natural crystals, which means they can chip or crack if knocked against hard surfaces. Some stones are particularly delicate and not suited to everyday wear, including emeralds, pearls and opals.

These stones require specialist care and gentle cleaning as ordinary detergents can dry them out and damage their natural structure. Pearls, emeralds and opals should always be cleaned using specialist products.

Matt Finishes and Long-Term Maintenance

Matt finishes on rings and bangles naturally wear away over time through everyday use, and the shine on polished gold will begin to matt. This is completely normal and part of how jewellery ages. These finishes can be restored using a matting block or a professional re-polish. This is something we’re always happy to help with in-store, pop into Jago Jewellers and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Caring for What You Love

Gentle cleaning, safe storage, regular professional checks and thoughtful everyday wear habits all work together to protect the pieces that matter most to you.

If you’re ever unsure about cleaning methods, storage, gemstone care or maintenance, visit us at Jago Jewellers in St Albans. We’re always happy to offer practical guidance, expert care and repairs.