1. Polishing it. Take out your fine jewelry and polish it occasionally. With polishing, you will be able to make your fine jewelry shines brighter. But take note of the frequency that you polish a particular piece of fine jewelry. It is because metal will be removed during the process of polishing, therefore you need to polish it sparingly.

2. Cleansing it. Use a toothbrush and a mild dish detergent to clean your fine jewelry. Avoid using toothpaste or harsh cleaners which will corrode your jewelry. Soak your jewelry in detergent and water and brush them using your toothbrush.

3. Keeping it properly. Do not just leave your fine jewelry on the table after you have worn it. Place your fine jewelry in its own jewelry box. Do not lump all your jewelries together in a box as this will cause wear and tear when stones scratches against each other. Chains can also be caught in tangles which will most likely cause some sort of damages. Your fine jewelries deserve better treatment; place them in their respective boxes after every use if you want to preserve them longer.

Always check your jewelry for wear and tear periodically. If you find that your jewelry overall condition is getting worse, you should bring it to a competent jeweler to recondition it.

Regardless of the type of jewelry you should obviously try to prevent it from being scratched, knocked or banged. Even if damage doesn’t appear visible immediately, knocking jewelry can often lead to unseen damage. Over time this damage will build up or progressively worsen until your jewelry becomes irreparable.

Should your jewelry suffer any damage you should have it seen to as soon as possible. Take it your local jewelers and ask their opinion. In most cases they will either be able to fix it themselves or send it away to be repaired properly. Super gluing any piece of jewelry yourself is a bad idea.

Many chemicals can damage jewelry and you should stay away from chemicals in general. In particular, cleaning fluids, chlorine and bromine can have a detrimental effect on some jewelry. Take off any rings or other items and leave them somewhere safe until you’re finished. Direct sunlight and extreme hot or cold conditions can also weaken the metal or jewel.

Use a jewelry cleaning cloth on metal jewelry and clean regularly using soapy water but ensure that you rinse it off thoroughly when you’ve finished cleaning. Use a very mild cloth to dab it dry and don’t rub it too vigorously. You should also take care when storing jewelry. If you don’t intend to wear it or show it for some time then place it in an airtight bag away from heating or particularly cold areas. These simple maintenance tips should ensure the integrity of your jewelry for many years.

Sterling silver maintains its beauty and does not wear away as silver plating often does. When purchasing a piece of sterling silver jewelry, you’ll want to look for the stamp which designates it as fine quality sterling. You may also see a symbol which designates the maker. Quality crafted sterling silver can last a lifetime or more if it’s cared for properly. Like all silver, sterling silver jewelry is susceptible to tarnishing, especially if it’s not worn very often. Luckily, this is an easy problem to take care of and prevent. Choose a polish or jewelry cleaner especially designed for sterling silver. You may even want to have your silver jewelry polished by a professional jeweler on a periodic basis.

Take good care of your sterling silver rings, charms, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings and they will provide you with years of aesthetic and ornamental pleasure. Many sterling silver treasures are passed down from generation to generation.

Cleaning It is important to use a cotton cloth or similarly soft and non-abrasive material to clean your silver. Sterling silver, though durable, is a fairly soft metal that can be easily scratched if mistreated. Cloths for this purpose specifically are available commercially.

For light soiling, as with fingerprints and daily grime, it is recommended that you use a gentle, non-abrasive soap or detergent. A drop or two mixed in with a ½ cup of warm water works just fine. Dab your non-abrasive cloth into the mixture and clean as if you were polishing, taking care to be gentle around any stone encasements. Use a dry, non-abrasive cloth to continue the cleaning and polishing after washing. Make sure that the piece is thoroughly dry prior to storage.

For a more thorough cleaning, it is recommended that you choose one of the commercially available silver cleaning pastes. (Note: when you using such pastes on silver jewelry with gemstones take great care not to damage the gemstones–polishes dull stone finishes over time. Read paste directions carefully prior to using.)

You should clean your sterling silver pieces with a lengthwise motion as opposed to circular as this will reduce scratching (light scratching is inevitable but can be minimized). For those hard to reach places, inaccessible to your cloth, you may use a small, soft-bristled brush (similar to a toothbrush). Try to purchase one made commercially for this purpose. Be gentle nonetheless.

Some recommend toothpaste and baking soda as good choices for cleaning sterling silver, but these are often too abrasive and should not be used if can be avoided.

Storage The first rule of storing your sterling silver jewelry (after cleaning or otherwise) is to never store it moist or wet (whether from perspiration or cleaning). Humidity and open air contribute to the corrosion of sterling silver jewelry, so you want to avoid exposure as much as possible when your jewelry isn’t being worn.

If you are not planning on wearing your sterling silver jewelry for an extended period of time, it is highly recommended that you store your pieces in a special jewelry bag designed to prevent turning (commercially available as well). (Ziplock bags work well also if the air is removed sufficiently.)

Conclusion If you follow the above tips regarding the care and storage of your sterling silver jewelry, your pieces will look as good as new for many years to come. Take care of your sterling silver, and your sterling silver will make you look all the better.

Sterling silver. This precious metal contains at least .925 pure silver, and is the closest look to white gold and platinum available. In order to prevent your sterling silver jewelry from tarnishing, it’s best to store your collection in a box or zip-loc jewelry bag. In addition, keeping it protected from direct light will also help to prevent tarnishing. When it comes to cleaning your sterling silver jewelry, a polishing cloth specifically designed for silver will restore your items to their original shine.

Cubic zirconia. Because cubic zirconia measures 8.5 on the scale of hardness, it’s a very durable stone. When it comes to cleaning cubic zirconia jewelry, the solution is as simple as mixing some warm water with soap. This combination will provide a sparkling look for your jewelry, and will be safe for cubic zirconia. To dry your jewelry, use a soft cloth or towel for the best results.

Gemstone jewelry. Like cubic zirconia, most gemstones can be cleaned with warm water and soap. The only exceptions are those that have been treated with oils, such as emeralds or other similar gemstones. Not all commercial jewelry cleaners are safe for your gemstones, which is why it’s important to understand how to best care for your treasured collection.

In conclusion, it’s important to care for all of your jewelry by putting it back in its box immediately after having been worn. Regardless of the metal or gemstone, it’s equally important that you put your jewelry on last thing (after applying any makeup and/or lotion) before walking out the door. Either of these can cause your jewelry to appear dull, and may also require additional cleaning to restore its shine.