Continental Jewellers · Care Library
Beautiful Today. Treasured Tomorrow.
A well-cared-for piece of jewellery does not just last a lifetime, it becomes the foundation of the next generation's collection.
Why Care Matters
Fine jewellery is not fragile, but it is not indestructible. The difference between a piece that looks magnificent after fifty years and one that looks tired after five is almost entirely in how it is stored, cleaned and worn. This library gives you the knowledge to protect what you own.
General Principles
The Fundamentals of Jewellery Care
Last on, first off
Put jewellery on after applying perfume, hairspray, lotions and cosmetics. Chemicals in these products can dull surfaces, damage coatings and affect certain gemstones. Remove jewellery before washing hands, showering or swimming.
Store pieces separately
Diamonds and hard stones will scratch softer ones. Store each piece in its own pouch or compartment. Never pile jewellery together in a drawer.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for most stones
Ultrasonic cleaners are safe for diamonds in secure settings, but can damage emeralds, opals, pearls, tanzanite and any stone with fracture-filling treatments. When in doubt, use warm soapy water and a soft brush.
Remove before physical activity
Gardening, sport, gym and manual work all expose jewellery to impact, abrasion and chemicals. A ring caught on equipment can cause serious injury as well as damage to the piece.
Have settings checked annually
Prongs and claws wear over time. An annual check by a jeweller takes minutes and can prevent the loss of a stone worth far more than the cost of the inspection.
Gemstone-Specific Care
Every Stone Has Its Own Needs
Diamonds
Hardness: 10 (Mohs)
The hardest natural substance, but not indestructible, diamonds can chip along cleavage planes. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Safe for ultrasonic cleaning in secure settings. Store separately as they will scratch everything else.
Rubies & Sapphires
Hardness: 9 (Mohs)
Extremely durable. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Most rubies and sapphires are heat-treated, this is stable and requires no special handling. Fracture-filled stones (less common) should avoid ultrasonic cleaning and harsh chemicals.
Emeralds
Hardness: 7.5–8 (Mohs)
Most emeralds are fracture-filled with cedar oil or resin to improve clarity, this is industry-standard and must be disclosed. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaning and harsh chemicals. Clean gently with a damp cloth. Re-oiling by a jeweller every few years maintains the stone's appearance.
Alexandrite & Chrysoberyl
Hardness: 8.5 (Mohs)
Very durable and generally untreated. Clean with warm soapy water. Safe for ultrasonic cleaning. Store away from harder stones.
Pearls
Hardness: 2.5–4.5 (Mohs)
The most delicate of all jewellery materials. Pearls are organic and highly sensitive to acids, perfumes, hairspray and perspiration. Wipe with a soft damp cloth after every wear. Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam or chemical solutions. Store flat in a soft pouch, hanging pearl strands can stretch the silk thread.
Opals
Hardness: 5.5–6.5 (Mohs)
Opals contain water and can crack if they dry out (crazing). Avoid prolonged exposure to heat, direct sunlight and very dry environments. Clean with a damp cloth only. Never use ultrasonic cleaners or chemical solutions.
Tanzanite
Hardness: 6–7 (Mohs)
Tanzanite has perfect cleavage in one direction, making it vulnerable to sharp blows. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Best suited to earrings and pendants rather than everyday rings.
Tourmaline & Spinel
Hardness: 7–8 (Mohs)
Generally durable and untreated. Clean with warm soapy water. Avoid prolonged exposure to strong light, which can fade some tourmaline colours over time.
Storage
How to Store Your Collection
Individual pouches
Soft fabric pouches prevent pieces from scratching each other and protect against dust. Keep one pouch per piece.
Lined jewellery box
A box with separate compartments and a soft lining is ideal for everyday pieces. Avoid boxes with exposed metal fittings that can scratch.
Safe storage for significant pieces
Pieces of significant value should be stored in a home safe or bank safety deposit box when not being worn. Ensure your insurance reflects current replacement values.
Avoid humidity extremes
Bathrooms are poor storage locations — humidity fluctuations affect metals and certain stones. A bedroom drawer or wardrobe is preferable.
Keep documentation with the piece
Store gemstone certificates, receipts and photographs with or near the piece they relate to. This is essential for insurance claims and future valuations.
Professional Care
When to See a Jeweller
Annual prong inspection
Have all prong-set pieces checked once a year. A loose prong is invisible to the eye but can result in stone loss.
Professional cleaning
A professional clean every one to two years restores brilliance that home cleaning cannot achieve, particularly for pavé and channel-set pieces.
Rhodium re-plating
White gold is rhodium-plated to achieve its bright white finish. This plating wears over time, revealing the slightly warmer tone of the gold beneath. Re-plating is a simple, inexpensive procedure.
Emerald re-oiling
Fracture-filled emeralds benefit from re-oiling every few years to maintain their clarity and lustre. This is a specialist procedure, ask your jeweller.
Pearl restringing
Pearl necklaces and bracelets should be restrung every two to three years, or sooner if the silk shows signs of stretching or discolouration.
Have a Question About a Specific Piece?
We are happy to advise on the care of any piece in your collection, whether purchased from us or not.
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