Try not to touch the stones in your rings when putting them on or taking them off. Instead, hold the ring by the shank (metal portion that encircles the finger). Touching the stones will cause a greasy buildup on their surfaces, which greatly reduces brilliance and sparkle.
To restore rings� sparkle, get into the habit of �huffing� them to remove the dirt and oily film on the stone�s surface. Simply hold the ring close to your mouth, �huff� with your breathe � you�ll see the stone fog up � and wipe it off with a soft, lint free cloth such as a handkerchief or a blouse sleeve. You�ll be amazed to see how much better jewelry can look simply by removing even the lightest oil from the surface!
Don�t take off rings and lay them on the side of the sink unless you are sure the drain is closed. Also, never remove your rings to wash your hands when you are away from home (unless you hold them in your teeth!); all too many have been forgotten and lost. Never wrap your jewelry in a facial tissue, which might later be tossed into the trash.
Avoid wearing fine jewelry while doing any type of rough work, such as house cleaning or gardening. Abrasives can scratch your jewelry � both the stones and the metal.
Chemicals such as chlorine can cause discoloration of metals used in settings and dull the polish on many stone, making it necessary to have the stone repolished to restore its full beauty. Chlorine can also cause pitting and discoloration to setting. Ammonia will remove the polish on the stones such as malachite, turquoise and coral.
Avoid exposing fine jewelry to intense heat, for example, while cooking. Exposure to extreme heat can cause damage to many gems. Enamel also may be ruined by contact with heat.
Every 12 to 18 months have your jeweler check each piece to make sure the setting is secure, and have prongs or shanks reinforced as necessary. If you ever feel or hear the stone moving in the setting, it is a warning that the prongs or bezel need tightening. Also, check catches and clasps to make sure they are secure and working properly. Failure to take care of this may result in loss or damage.
Metallic Abrasion
Corrosion
Tarnishing of Sterling Silver Jewelry Is this Cheap Gold?
Saving your Jewelry from Chlorine