Jewelry Care Guide

Daily habits

The biggest threats to fine jewelry are not accidents. They're small daily contacts with water, chemicals, and friction that dull metal and weaken settings over time.

• Put it on last, take it off first. After makeup, perfume, lotion, and hairspray. Before showering, swimming, or exercising.
• Avoid chlorine and salt water. Both corrode gold and can damage stone settings. Always remove before pool, spa, or ocean.
• Lotion and perfume. Wait for them to fully absorb before putting your jewelry on. Chemicals from these products dull gold and create film on gemstones.
• Exercise and high-impact activities. Remove rings, bracelets, and bangles before workouts. Heavy lifting can bend metal and shift stones.
• Sleeping. Necklaces and bracelets are fine. Remove rings with prongs to prevent snags on bedding.

How to clean at home

A simple method that works for diamonds, gold, and most colored gemstones. Avoid this method on pearls, opals, mother of pearl, and emeralds (see Stone-Specific Care below).

Storage

• Keep pieces separate. Even gold scratches gold. Store each piece in its own pouch or compartment.
• Lay necklaces flat. Hanging stretches delicate chains over time. Lay them on a soft cloth or in the original JJ pouch.
• Clasp necklaces closed before storing to prevent tangling.
• Keep away from heat and direct sunlight. Both can affect organic gems (pearls, opals, mother of pearl) and some treated stones.
• Travel pouch. Use the JJ travel pouch for trips. Never wrap fine jewelry loosely in tissue or fabric where it can be missed when unpacking.

Stone-specific care

Diamonds

Diamonds are the hardest natural material, but they attract oil and lose brilliance when dirty. Use the standard four-step cleaning method weekly to keep them sparkling. They can withstand ultrasonic cleaners only if the setting is in good condition.

Emeralds

Emeralds are softer than diamonds and almost always treated with oil or resin to fill natural inclusions. Do not submerge in water, use soap, or use ultrasonic cleaners. Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after each wear. Remove during any high-impact activity. Bring to our showroom for professional cleaning.

Pearls, opals, and mother of pearl

These organic gems are porous and easily damaged by water, chemicals, and friction. Never submerge in water or use any cleaning solution. Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after each wear. Store separately to prevent scratching from harder stones. Apply makeup, perfume, and lotion before putting them on.

Colored sapphires, rubies, tourmaline, aquamarine

Generally safe with the standard four-step cleaning method. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners if the stone is heavily included or fracture-filled. When in doubt, bring the piece to our showroom for a professional clean.

Tanzanite, turquoise, malachite, lapis lazuli

Softer or porous. Avoid prolonged water exposure, ultrasonic cleaners, and chemical exposure. Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry immediately. For deeper cleaning, bring to our showroom.

Metal-specific care

Yellow gold

The most durable. The standard four-step cleaning method restores shine. Light polishing with a jewelry polishing cloth removes surface scratches.

White gold

White gold is yellow gold alloyed and plated with rhodium for the cool tone. Over years of wear, the rhodium plating fades and the piece may take a slight warm tint. This is normal and easily restored with professional re-plating (offered complimentary at our Miami showroom within 120 days of purchase, billed thereafter).

Rose gold

Rose gold is alloyed with copper, which gives the warm tone but also makes it slightly more reactive. Avoid prolonged contact with chlorine. Clean using the standard method.

Two-tone pieces

Clean as you would any gold. If the white gold portion warms over time, our showroom can re-plate just the affected section without touching the yellow or rose finish.

Professional cleaning at the JJ showroom

Every JJ piece is welcome at our Miami showroom for professional cleaning, inspection, and prong check. We use professional equipment that goes deeper than home methods.

• Complimentary for items purchased on jjjewelryshop.com within the first 120 days of delivery.
• $30 starting after 120 days, depending on piece and treatment needed.
• Turnaround: typically 24 to 48 hours by appointment.
• What we check: prong tightness, clasp function, chain wear, stone security, surface scratches.
• Drop-off: book a showroom appointment or ship via insured FedEx if outside Miami.

When to bring a piece for repair

Don't wait. Small issues become expensive ones quickly with fine jewelry.

• A stone feels loose or rattles when you tap the piece gently.
• A prong looks bent, snags on fabric, or you've lost a stone.
• A clasp doesn't close securely or springs back inconsistently.
• A chain shows a kink, twist, or stretched link.
• Any sudden change in the piece, even if you can't pinpoint it.

Never have a JJ piece repaired by another jeweler. Outside work voids the JJ warranty and any future support we can offer on the piece.