not out.
Well-made jewellery does not wear out. It wears in. A little care decides which — and almost all of it is habit, not effort.
On last, off first.
Lotions, perfume and hairspray dull a finish over time, so jewellery goes on last and comes off first. Remove pieces before swimming, bathing, cleaning and sport — chlorine and salt water are hard on gold alloys, and a knock against a worktop is harder still on a set stone.
A clean you can do at home.
For most gold and harder stones: warm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft brush around the settings where dust gathers. Rinse, and dry completely before putting it away. A soft cloth keeps a polish bright between cleans. That is all daily maintenance asks.
Ageing is not damage. It is time made visible.
Blaise Huxley · On CraftPearls
Soft and porous. Wipe with a damp cloth, never soak them, and have them restrung in time.
Opals
Sensitive to heat and dryness. Keep them from harsh cleaners; a soft wipe is enough.
Emeralds
Often oiled. Never an ultrasonic cleaner — only gentle cleaning, carefully, by hand.
Keep them apart.
Gold scratches gold, and a loose diamond will scratch almost anything it shares a drawer with. Keep pieces in their own pouch or a lined box, clasps closed, and chains laid flat so they do not knot.
Don't wait on a loose stone.
A stone that rattles, a prong that has bent, a clasp that no longer closes cleanly — stop wearing the piece and have it looked at. Small repairs are simple; the same problem left for a year rarely is.
Cared for simply, a good piece outlasts the occasion it was made for.
