• Eco Friendly
  • Conflict Free Diamonds
  • Recycled Metals
• Engagement Rings
  • Where to Start
  • Questions to Ask Your Jeweler
  • How to Choose a Diamond
  • How to Choose Metal
• Custom Jewelry
  • Jewelry Care
  • The Advantage of Custom
  • The Custom Design Process
  • Policy
• Diamonds
  • What Makes a Good Diamond
  • Shapes
  • Cut
  • Clarity
  • Color
  • Carat
  • Certificate
  • Diamond Symmetry
  • Diamond Culet
  • Diamond Girdle
  • Diamond Polish
  • Diamond Sparkle
  • Triple Excellent Diamond
  • Diamond Grading Process
• Metals
  • Platinum
  • 18 Karat Gold
  • 14 Karat Gold
  • Silver
  • Palladium
  • Tungsten
  • Titanium
  • Cobalt
  • Yellow Gold
  • White Gold
  • Rose Gold
  • Gold Alloys
  • Mokume Gane
• Gemstones
  • Mohs Hardness Scale
  • Color
  • Clarity
  • Cut
  • Size
  • Birthstones
  • Lab Grown Color Gemstones
  • Precious Gemstones
  • Semi-Precious Gemstones
  • Lab Created
  • Simulant vs. Synthetic
  • Sapphires
  • Moissanite
  • Cubic Zirconia
• Glossary

Jewelry Care

Fine jewelry is made to be worn and enjoyed, but it should also be maintained thoughtfully over time. Daily wear gradually affects metals, settings, surface finishes, and gemstones. At Joseph Jewelry, we recommend regular inspection and cleaning so small issues can be identified before they become larger repairs.

Regular Maintenance

Jewelry is exposed to repeated contact, friction, temperature changes, and occasional impact. Rings are especially vulnerable because hands are used constantly throughout the day. Pendants and bracelets can also be pulled, bumped, or rubbed against other surfaces. Over time, these conditions can affect prongs, beads, links, and other structural details.

We recommend having fine jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected at least every six months. Regular inspection helps identify loose gemstones, worn prongs, thinning areas, and other signs of wear before a stone is lost or damage becomes more serious.

When Not to Wear Your Jewelry

We advise removing fine jewelry during exercise, gardening, dishwashing, heavy lifting, construction work, and other activities that expose it to impact, pressure, or abrasion. Jewelry should also be removed before using household chemicals, chlorine, or cleaning products unless you know the material is safe for that exposure.

Showering while wearing jewelry is also best avoided. Soap, lotion, shampoo, and other residue can build up underneath settings and in small openings, reducing brilliance and making jewelry harder to clean properly.

Ultrasonic Cleaning

Ultrasonic cleaning can be appropriate for many jewelry pieces, but not for every gemstone or every construction method. Some materials are more delicate and may be damaged by vibration, heat, or pre-existing fractures.

Extra caution is required for pieces containing:

• Emeralds
• Pearls
• Opals
• Tanzanite
• Peridot

These gemstones are generally better cleaned with more controlled methods. When in doubt, professional cleaning is the safer approach.

Diamonds and Gemstones

Over time, gemstones can loosen through normal wear. This does not always mean the piece was made incorrectly. Repeated contact, minor impact, and years of daily use can gradually affect prongs and other settings. Regular inspection is one of the best ways to prevent stone loss.

If a ring, pendant, or other piece is struck with noticeable force, we recommend stopping wear until it can be checked. Damage is not always visible immediately, and a stone may remain in place even when the setting has been compromised.

Irradiated Diamonds

Irradiated diamonds should not be exposed to direct intense heat. Excessive heat can affect the treated color and may alter the stone’s appearance.

Pearls

Pearls require gentler care than most gemstones. They can be scratched, chipped, or damaged by heat, chemicals, and rough surfaces. Many single pearls in jewelry are mounted with adhesive, so prolonged heat and certain cleaning methods may weaken the bond.

We recommend cleaning pearls gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush or cloth. Pearl necklaces should be handled with additional care. Because strands can weaken over time, restringing is typically needed periodically depending on wear. After cleaning, pearl strands should be laid flat to air dry.

Special Bands

Eternity Bands

Eternity bands require more caution than many other rings because gemstones extend around the band and are exposed to frequent contact. Small prongs and beads hold those stones securely, but repeated abrasion can wear them down over time. Hard surfaces, gripping tools, weightlifting, and other high-contact activities increase the risk of chipped stones or loosened settings.

Women’s Wedding Bands

When a wedding band and engagement ring are worn tightly against each other every day, the two rings can gradually rub and cause wear. This can affect engraving, pavé, filigree, bezels, and other detailed areas. In some cases, soldering the rings together is the most protective long-term option because it reduces ongoing friction between them.

Metal Care

Mokume Gane

Mokume Gane is distinctive because of its layered metal pattern and handcrafted surface character. Some pieces are finished with patina, brushing, sandblasting, or oxidation to emphasize contrast in the metal. These finishes can change over time through normal wear, especially when exposed to heavy friction or chemicals.

To preserve the appearance as long as possible, we recommend removing Mokume Gane jewelry during abrasive activities and avoiding unnecessary chemical exposure. Rings with oxidized finishes should be kept away from chlorine and similar substances. In many cases, surface treatments can be refreshed later if needed.

Engraving

Hand engraving is a fine surface detail that can soften gradually through friction and repeated contact. To help preserve engraved patterns, avoid wearing engraved jewelry against abrasive surfaces or allowing adjacent rings to rub constantly against one another. Depending on the design, engraving can often be restored when wear becomes noticeable.

White Gold and Rhodium Plating

White gold is typically finished with rhodium plating to create a bright white appearance. That finish is not permanent and will wear away gradually, especially in areas that experience the most contact. As the plating wears, the underlying alloy may appear slightly warmer. This is normal and can be corrected through maintenance when needed.

Platinum

Platinum is valued for its density, durability, and naturally white color. It does not require rhodium plating to remain white, but it is still subject to scratching and surface wear. Platinum benefits from the same thoughtful care as any other fine jewelry metal. We recommend avoiding unnecessary abrasion and having platinum pieces inspected and refinished when appropriate.

Long-Term Care

Fine jewelry should be inspected regularly, cleaned appropriately, and removed during activities that create avoidable risk. Most serious jewelry problems begin as small issues: a slightly loose prong, a worn bead, surface damage, or accumulated residue. Routine care helps preserve both appearance and structural integrity over time.

At Joseph Jewelry, we recommend professional cleaning and inspection at least every six months so your jewelry can continue to be worn with confidence.