How to care for your jewelry.

When to Remove Your Jewelry

Try not to wear your jewelry 24/7 - remove yuour jewelry before going to bed. Chains, pendants, bracelets and earring may be damages while sleeping and rings can slip off and be lost.

Remove before swimming and strenuous activities. Salt water and chlorine can damage your jewelry. Don’t wear your jewelry to the gym sweat can damage sterling silver and metal on metal can damage rings. Don’t wear rings during water activities ring can slip off when wet also your fingers may shrink in cold water. Don’t wear your jewelry in the shower.

Remove your jewelry before applying sunscreen, bug spray, perfume, lotions. Lotion can get into the crevices of chains and prongs. Also, lotions and sprays create a film on your jewelry, making it dull and dingy.

Before going into a hot tub or swimming pool. Chlorine can damage and discolor metals (like gold and platinum) and can slowly erode the finish and polish of gemstones.

Before playing in the sand (or gardening.) Dirt and small rocks are abrasive. If not cleaned right away, your jewelry can be permanently damaged. Beware the dangers of gardening gloves, too.

Remove before doing household chores or cleaning. Bleach and other heavy-duty cleaners can wear away at precious metals.

How to Care for Your Jewelry

Clean your jewelry regularly. Your own sweat and body oils can dull the shine of your jewelry. DIY cleaning calls for warm soapy water and a toothbrush. Use a silver or gold polishing cloth.

Store your jewelry in a clean, dry place. Keep your pieces in a fabric-lined jewelry case, or in a box with compartments or dividers to prevent pieces from scratching each other. You can also put your jewelry in individual jewery bags to keep them safe.

Watch for warning signs of vulnerabilities in your jewelry. From symptoms of a loose stone to bracelet, necklace and earring red flags, there are six major signals that your jewelry's about to break.

Visit your jeweler to check for loose gem stones, prongs and clasps.