Cleaning and Caring for Your Jewelry

A MESSAGE FROM OUR AUTHORS
Clear Answers For Understanding the Best Ways to
Care For and Clean Your Most Precious Possessions
Dustin Lemick, GIA Graduate Gemologist
3rd Generation Jeweler CEO & Founder
of BriteCo Jewelry Insurance 13+ years
jewelry industry experience
Rachel Akmakjian, GIA Graduate Gemologist
8+ years jewelry industry experience
Director of Jeweler Relations at BriteCo Jewelry Insurance
Will wearing perfume, sunscreen or body lotion damage my jewelry?
What’s the best way to clean my diamond engagement ring at home?
When should I take my jewelry to a jeweler for professional cleaning?
Should I get a home safe to store my jewelry? Will it save me money on insurance?
This Simple & Savvy Guide to Cleaning and Caring for Your Fine Jewelry from BriteCo will help you
answer those questions and more.
Fine jewelry remains one of the most valuable possessions that an individual can possess. And while
it’s made to last a lifetime and get passed down as an heirloom, it still needs proper care and atten-
tion to maintain its quality and value. This is why it’s important to learn how to properly care for and
keep clean some of your most valuable and treasured assets.
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1

CALLOUTS IN THIS BOOK
Throughout the guide you will see symbols that indicate various types of useful
information, including,
This guide covers a broad range of information that will help keep your fine jewelry
in good condition for a lifetime. Its goal is to help preserve the quality of your jew-
elry by teaching you how to properly wear, clean, store, and protect your cher-
ished pieces.
READING THIS GUIDE WILL HELP YOU:
Learn how to look after the jewelry that you wear regularly
Explore the most effective and efficient ways to keep jewelry clean
Get tips on how to store your jewelry and maintain its condition
Gain a better understanding of jewelry insurance and warranty
SAVVY TIPS
This is practical advice that
can save you time and effort
in exploring the purchase of
a lab grown diamond.
TECHNICAL TALK
This lets you know that the
information discussed involves
technical terminology.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
This content speaks to broader
issues involving lab grown
diamonds that you may want
to delve into further.
BE CAUTIOUS
This information helps to alert
you about issues that you
need to be aware of when
exploring the purchase of lab
grown diamonds.
2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1 - P. 4
How to Wear Your Jewelry
Part 2 - P. 19
How to Clean Your Jewelry
Part 3 - P. 32
How to Store Your Jewelry
Part 4 - P. 43
How to Protect Your Jewelry
3

How to Wear Your Jewelry
PART 1
4

There’s more to wearing fine jewelry than choosing pieces that go well together,
emphasizing your features, pairing well with an outfit, and matching the occasion.
Here are many universal reminders about wearing jewelry:
Keep your jewelry on when you’re in a public place.
Take off jewelry before bed to prevent earrings from causing minor wounds or
scratches and bracelets or necklaces from getting caught on something.
When you’re not wearing jewelry, store it safely in a locked box or a safe.
But these aren’t the only things to keep in mind when wearing jewelry. Take a look
at these other reminders for wearing your jewelry safely.
5

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Avoid Exposing Jewelry to Perfumes, Body Lotions,
and Sunscreen
No matter how carefully you handle jewelry, you can’t do much against the
damage caused by alcohol, essential oils, colorants, and other synthetic ingre-
dients found in commonly used body products like lotions, perfumes, and
sunscreen.
As a highly ductile and malleable material, gold itself does not corrode due to
direct contact with perfumes, oils, and lotions. However, it might result in
discoloration or a duller sheen. Meanwhile, copper, silver, palladium, zinc, and
any other alloy used in gold jewelry may react to perfumes, lotions, and sun-
screen — this leads to corrosion.

7
Unlike solid Gold
STERLING SILVER
MAY TARNISH WHEN EXPOSED
to perfumes, lotions, and sunscreen.
Sterling silver contains copper, which tends to
turn green when used regularly or is constantly
exposed to the chemicals in skin products.

8
Did You Know?
Certain gemstones, like opals and pearls
are susceptible to damage caused by the
chemical ingredients in perfumes, body
lotions,oils, and sunscreen.
8

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Some natural gemstones are susceptible to damage due to the essential oils
and chemical ingredients found in perfumes. The build-up of these materials
on the gemstones might affect the appearance of their clarity, sparkle, and
hue. When exposed to perfumes, pearls and opals can suffer from discolor-
ation and damage to texture and shine.
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Here are valuable tips on how to keep fine jewelry in the best possible condition if
it will be exposed to perfume, body oils, lotions, and sunscreen:
Apply perfume, body products, and cosmetics before putting on fine jewelry.
Wait for 10 to 20 minutes for the products to settle on your skin first.
Always apply sunscreen first before putting on jewelry. If it can’t be helped,
remove your jewelry before applying sunscreen, then put it back on afterward.
Although many gemstones won’t be affected by exposure to beauty products,
keep in mind that oils and fragrances can mask the shine of your jewelry and
make it look dull and cloudy.
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11
Remove Your Jewelry Before Participating
in Physical Activities
Fine jewelry typically has two components: The gemstone and the metal it’s set
on. And if you’re going to participate in strenuous activities that might lead you
to sweat, it’s best to take off your jewelry or not wear it in the first place.
Gold and silver have different reactions to sweat, seawater, and chlorine in
swimming pools. Constant exposure to these elements may lead to corrosion
or tarnishing. That being said, stainless steel is resistant to these chloride
attacks.
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Actively Protect Your Jewelry Against Intense Heat
or High Temperatures
Jewelry is designed to withstand time and weather. It’s generally safe for you
to take your jewelry out and wear it on warm, sunny days. However, sunlight
exposure might affect the color and clarity of certain gemstones.
When not in use, store your jewelry pieces in a cool, dark, and safe storage
space. Further, minimize damage by storing your jewelry separately.
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For example, diamonds and other hard
gemstones can easily scratch or nick
other types of jewelry if they’re all stored
loosely together.
For this reason, it’s recommended that you store jewelry pieces in a location
that allows each piece to sit alone. You can also separate your jewelry by
metal and gemstone type to help you filter and survey your options when
choosing pieces to wear.

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ON A RELATED NOTE, limit fine
jewelry’s exposure to the sun.
Direct sunlight doesn’t damage fine jewelry itself. However, some
gemstones might be prone to discoloration if they are constantly
exposed to harsh sunlight.
This is made even worse when you’re wearing body lotions or
sunscreens containing sulfates and other chemical ingredients
that stimulate a reaction from metals and gemstones.
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15
Do Not Wear Your Jewelry When Bathing,
Showering, Or Swimming
Although fine jewelry is made with stones and metals that are built to last a
lifetime, they’re not quite indestructible. The sand, sea, lake, and ocean elements
could scratch metals and loosen stones in their jewelry settings. Meanwhile, the
chlorine in a hot tub and pool water can break down alloy bonds in gold and lead
to corrosion.
So what exactly do you do to avoid this type of damage? You remove fine jewelry
before going into the water and make sure you store it in a safe place. It’s even
better if you can go without these jewelry pieces entirely so they can stay safe
and protected at home.
15

Remember not to wear any delicate pieces
of jewelry when you’re at a swimming pool,
or on the beach. Exposure to chlorine and
sea salt could cause damage.
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Chlorine is stringent enough to cause corrosion in gold — similar to how salt leads
to corrosion in copper. Prolonged exposure to this element could also damage
your fine jewelry by attacking the alloys we use to strengthen gold for everyday
wear.
Like chlorine, sea salt can be easily destructive for precious metals. It is especially
harmful to copper — and considering how some precious metals used in fine
jewelry contain copper, it’s best to take those jewelry pieces off before heading to
the beach.
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ON A RELATED NOTE, some soft
gemstones like opal, are porous.
They tend to absorb salt from the air and the seawater, making
them rot from the inside. So, be mindful of these gemstones in
particular if you insist on accessorizing at the beach.
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How to Clean Your Jewelry
PART 2

People are getting more creative with
cleaning things, including fine jewelry.
However, if you want these heirloom pieces to last a few lifetimes, you have
to be aware of which cleaning methods are myths and which are safe and
effective.
Fine jewelry might seem indestructible, especially if it’s made with diamonds..
However, most stones are delicate, such as amber, coral, pearls, and opals.
Be careful with how you clean jewelry and keep these tips and tricks in mind:
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Don’t use alcohol, bleach, chlorine, peroxide, and toothpaste as cleaning agents
Avoid using boiling water as some gemstones can be damaged by extreme heat.
Jewelry cleaning machines are effective, but it’s best to be careful with this type
of equipment because the vibrations might shake stones loose from their setting
To clean most fine jewelry, combine hot water, dish soap and a couple drops of
ammonia in a small cup. Then using a toothbrush you may gently scrub the
jewelry with this solution. Dry it off and wipe it gently with a soft cloth. Keep in
mind it is always best to ask a reputable jeweler if this is safe for the specific item
you’re cleaning.
The best choice is always to schedule professional jewelry cleaning
21

There are many myths floating around on the internet and shared between
peers about cleaning jewelry.
For example, some people believe that you can use toothpaste to clean fine
jewelry. Others swear by using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of
boiling water and liquid soap to keep their jewelry pieces clean. These are
myths for a reason — they could cause more potential damage to stones and
metals.
Avoid Jewelry Cleaning Myths
Some of these could be harmful to
gemstones and metals.
22

Different Jewelry Require Different
Cleaning Methods
There’s no one-size-fits-all cleaning method for fine jewelry, especially since
there are so many different types. Different gemstones and metals have vary-
ing reactions to different cleaning agents and processes, so it’s best to be
familiar with each of them.
You can clean most jewelry pieces with the classic dish soap and warm water
combination. You can also add a few drops of ammonia for extra sparkle.
Nevertheless, here are some reminders for handling different types of gem-
stones:
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DIAMONDS:
You can clean your diamond jewelry as often as you’d like, some people
make it a part of their morning routine. Additionally, schedule professional
cleaning twice a year so your diamond pieces can have a deeper, more
meticulous cleaning.
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RUBY AND SAPPHIRE:
Like diamonds, these gems can’t be scratched easily, but they do need to be
cleaned regularly to get rid of any dirt, grime, or oil that builds up on the sur-
face. Clean them as often as you’d like. Cleaning your jewelry regularly will
ensure it looks beautiful all of the time!
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24
EMERALD:
As one of the softer gemstones, emerald is susceptible to cracking and chip-
ping. It’s also sensitive to alcohol, so it’s best to use liquid soap and jewelry
cleaners regularly. Then, take it to a professional jeweler for routine cleaning.
Emeralds are also very susceptible to heat.
26

PEARL AND OPAL:
These are organic gemstones and are much softer
and more porous than other commonly known
gems, which is why they require special care. Rub
down pearls with a damp soft cloth af. You can
use mild soapy water to clean opals. Be very
careful not to use hot water with opals as it can
damage the stone.
27

Depending on what gemstones are set in your jewelry, you may also use a combi-
nation of warm water, gentle dish soap, and ammonia to clean jewelry made of
gold and platinum.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove
all traces of dirt, then pat it dry with a
soft jewelry polishing cloth.
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Meanwhile, here are other cleaning reminders for precious metals:
GOLD:
This is one of our softest precious metals so jewelers must alloy it with other
metals to make it strong enough for everyday wear. Certain alloys are suscep-
tible to reactions when exposed to air, water, and chemicals, this leads to
tarnishing and corrosion. An ultrasonic cleaner with the proper solution can
effectively clean gold jewelry and bring back its original shine.
29

SILVER:
This metal tarnishes faster than gold because it’s much more susceptible
to oxidation and chemicals that cause tarnishing and corrosion. Silver
requires a specifically treated polishing cloth or solution to bring it back to
its original shine
30

PLATINUM:
This precious metal is generally resistant to corrosion and tarnishing. However,
it’s still prone to fine scratches. So, it’s important to polish your platinum jewelry
regularly, especially if you use it often. This is enough to bring back its luster.
However, some people choose to let platinum jewelry pieces develop their
natural patina for a vintage and well-worn look.
31

How to Store Your Jewelry
PART 3
32

To keep your fine jewelry safe and protected when not in use, it’s essential to store
these pieces in a secure location, either a safe or a locked box. It’s also important
to have proper jewelry boxes that allow you to separate the pieces so they don’t
brush against each other. . However, there’s more to jewelry storage than these
reminders.
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Where to Safely Store Fine Jewelry
You need to set aside space at home for your jewelry safe — preferably in your
bedroom, home office, or somewhere equally secure. Some people store their
fine jewelry pieces in insured safety deposit boxes for maximum security and
greater peace of mind. Both are okay, but the latter is preferred if you have an
extensive collection.

Now, traveling with fine jewelry is another matter entirely. A jewelry safe is
completely functional and secure, but it ranks low on travel capabilities. So,
check out these three ways you can keep fine jewelry safe when you take it
with you during travels:
35

Choose accommodations with a safe:
This is the most basic step of keeping your fine jewelry safe. Always request a
hotel room or rental property that has a safe. It’s one of the best ways to pro-
tect your jewelry pieces from break-ins, fires, and any other issues that you
might encounter while you’re traveling.
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Explore the possibility of secret storage cases:
A safe might not always be available when you’re traveling. In this case, the next
best way you can keep fine jewelry safe and protected from loss is to wear it.
Wearing your jewelry is the best way to know its location at all times. If you are
traveling to a location with a higher crime rate, consider not taking your jewelry
and leaving it in a safe at your house or in a safety deposit box at a bank.

38
Keep fine jewelry pieces in individual pouches:
When you’re at home, you have the luxury of space — you can store fine jewelry
in multi-level jewelry boxes with dividers, then organize them accordingly in your
safe. But these jewelry boxes could be bulky when you travel. So if you’re only
taking a few pieces with you, consider putting them in individual pouches or a
jewelry traveling case that keeps everything separated. If you do this make sure
the pouches or traveling case are in a safe place. Never put jewelry in your
checked luggage, always carry it on with you.

39
Why Use a Jewelry Safe for Storage
There are three main reasons for you to invest in a jewelry safe — preferably one
with customized dials or biometric locks — or at an insured safety deposit box:

40
Safety and security:
Fine jewelry shouldn’t be laying around at home as this could attract break-ins
and theft. Other than that, you want to ensure you store all valuable pieces in a
jewelry safe so they can be protected against natural disasters, such as earth-
quakes, fires, and floods.
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45
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Reduced environmental exposure and damage:
Harsh elements and strong impact aren’t the only things that could damage
fine jewelry. Even the most durable pieces, such as those made with platinum
and diamonds, can be subject to corrosion, tarnishing, and discoloration if they
are constantly exposed to everyday environmental elements without proper
care and maintenance. It’s best to store your jewelry pieces in a safe, where the
temperature and humidity are controlled.
41

Better accessibility and accountability:
If you have a large collection of fine jewelry, or if you have a notable amount of
pieces in your care, you want to simplify the way you catalog and organize
these pieces.
By storing them in a jewelry safe —
and separating them by gem or
metal type — it’s easier for you to
keep track of these pieces and find
what you need right away.
42

How to Protect Your Jewelry
PART 4
43

As the fine jewelry marketplace continues to pick up speed, we’re seeing necklac-
es, bracelets, rings, earrings, and other pieces with bolder and more diverse
designs. Customization is more popular than ever too. There are far more jewelry
options available today for both men and women.
However, as you continue to explore your options and build your jewelry wardrobe,
it’s important for you to learn how you can protect your valuable pieces. In this
case, you have two possible options for optimal protection
Jewelry warranty
Jewelry insurance
44

Jewelry warranty pertains to a conditional and limited-time agreement with
the original retailer or manufacturer of your jewelry pieces, typically covering
these concerns:
Routine cleanings
Manufacturing defects
Design or workmanship imperfections
Resizing options for engagement rings and wedding bands
45

Wear and tear, misshapen bands, missing stones, repairs done by third parties,
theft, and transfer of ownership are generally not included in these warranties.
Jewelry warranties vary in terms of what’s covered and how long they’re valid.
It depends on the terms set by the manufacturer or retailer where you got it
from — some might offer a lifetime limited warranty for regular cleanings and
repair work.
On the other hand, jewelry
insurance is something that
you actively secure.
46

JEWELRY INSURANCE
provides a comprehensive
policy for engagement rings,
wedding bands, diamond earrings,
LUXURY WATCHES,
AND OTHER FINE JEWELRY PIECES.
47

As the policyholder of jewelry insurance, you are protected in case of damage,
loss, and theft. In some cases, it could cover preventative maintenance too.
However, remember that insurance does not cover manufacturing defects —
this is a matter of warranty coverage. As such, it’s important to secure both for
your peace of mind.
48

ON A RELATED NOTE, if you’re
interested in purchasing jewelry
insurance,
look for an insurance company that requires a jewelry appraisal.
This means they are mindful of the appraised value of your jewel-
ry and will provide an accurate quote to cover your assets.
49

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Additionally, an appraisal lets a professional jeweler check your piece for
damage, confirm its value and ownership, and provides you with a backup
plan in case your jewelry gets lost or damaged. When guided by a detailed
appraisal, it’s easier to restore your damaged piece to its former glory or trace
it back if it goes missing.

Stuff to store and care for your jewelry
51
Take off your rings whenever you do something
that could damage your ring physically or
chemically. Keep a few around the house!
THE RING DISH
A spandex bracelet has a zipped pocket to
store your jewelry during a workout. It comes in
various prints and colors to match any outfit.
THE BANDIT BRACELET
Put a drop of dish soap in a mug of hot water and
soak your ring for 20-30 minutes. Use a soft tooth-
brush to polish it, and let it air dry or pat it with a
soft cloth.
DISH SOAP
You may want to invest in a fireproof safe to pro-
tect your valuables. You’ll also likely get a discount
on insurance if you store your jewelry there.
FIREPROOF SAFE
Store rings in a sturdy ring box with a soft cushiony
inside to prevent scratches—especially when traveling.
RING BOX

See how to clean
your jewelry from
an expert
Watch these short videos as easy reminders of how to clean your jewelry at home.
How to clean diamond engagement rings?
How to Clean a Necklace?
How to Clean Gold Jewelry?
How to Clean Silver Jewelry?
How to Clean Emerald Jewelry?
How to Clean Platinum Jewelry?
How to Clean Ruby and Sapphire?
How to Clean Costume Jewelry?
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dustin Lemick, CEO and board member of Brite-
Co, is a third-generation jeweler with over thirteen
years of retail jewelry experience. Lemick’s family
has owned and operated retail locations in the
Chicagoland area for over seventy years. He
graduated with a BS in economics from the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a Gradu-
ate Gemologist degree from the Gemological
Institute of America (GIA). Lemick has been pro-
cessing and handling jewelry claims for 10+ years
for large primary insurance companies such as
State Farm, Allstate, Chubb, and Farmers. He has
in-depth, proficient knowledge and expertise in
appraisal systems, diamond and gemstone mar-
kets, retail pricing models, insurance replacement
models, and jewelry quotation pricing systems.
Rachel Akmakjian is the Jeweler Channel Manag-
er for BriteCo. She has more than eight years’
experience in jewelry marketing, retail, diamond
wholesale, and managing her own company that
specializes in creating custom jewelry pieces.
Earning a Graduate Gemologist degree from the
Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Rachel's
education and experiences have given her an
in-depth understanding of the demands and
expectations facing jewelers and their customers
in today’s evolving retail marketplace.
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Established in 2018 by a third-generation retail jeweler, BriteCo is a leading
insurance technology company focused on transforming the jewelry insurance
industry for the digital age. BriteCo has democratized the process of buying
5-star rated jewelry and watch insurance for consumers with an easy-to-use
online application, superior coverage in minutes, and an affordable subscrip-
tion-like monthly payment option. Visit us at https://brite.co/
© Copyright 2022 BriteCo, Inc.
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