Will My Jewelry Last?Updated 2 years ago

In short, with the proper care, yes absolutely! Our jewelry is classified as fine jewelry because it is made with precious metals: Sterling silver, gold, and platinum. They are called precious metals because they are rare and can last for generations if properly cared for. 

It’s understandable that you want to wear your new treasure all the time. You, or someone close to you, has spent their hard-earned money on it, and you want to show it off while appreciating all the compliments you are bound to receive; it may have sentimental value, too. But if you wouldn’t take a Lamborghini off-roading, leave an original Da Vinci sketch in bright sunlight, or tumble dry a vintage Chanel suit would you? So it is only right to consider when it’s appropriate to wear your beautiful piece of jewelry.

If something is precious to you, you treat it with care and consideration. Where jewelry is concerned, that means knowing the following things.

Check

Prongs and claws holding gemstones can loosen over time and should be checked regularly. We advise having a quick check when you take your rings off at night. Spare thirty seconds to ensure that everything is where it should be and that the stones are secure and unmoving within their settings. Claws and prongs can get caught in or pulled by sweaters, coats, and handbags, or they can get damaged if you accidentally knock your ring during the day. Preventive maintenance is key: even if everything looks OK to your eyes, have your local jeweler check your rings annually. They will likely clean and polish your rings at the same time - it will be like collecting a brand new ring when you have it back!

Clean

Now that we mention cleaning, it is valuable to learn how to clean your jewelry properly. Just like our clothes, over the course of a day, our jewelry comes into contact with all manner of dirt. Not every gemstone appreciates the dish soap and water approach. In fact, some gemstones can be damaged by chemicals. Read more about cleaning your jewelry here.

Protect

This is perhaps the most important thing. Despite being made of metal and incredibly hard materials like diamond, fine jewlery can get damaged with rough ware or worse, lost! 

All precious metals will get scratched or damaged if they come into contact with hard surfaces. This will affect your rings more than anything else, as we use our hands for everything. So employ common sense. Don’t wear your rings when working out at the gym, doing yard work, cleaning, or doing DIY jobs. Silver and gold are relatively soft metals, even when alloyed. Be aware of what your hands come in contact with on a daily basis, and take precautions. If in doubt, remove your rings. As the decades pass by, you will be thankful that you did. Consider investing in a small zipped pouch with a carabiner where your rings can stay attached to your belt loop, handbag inner pocket, cellphone case, or gym clothes if necessary. 

We’ve also had a number of people contact us because they’ve lost wedding rings swimming in the ocean. You should always take your rings off before getting into the ocean, a hot tub, or a swimming pool. Our hands tend to shrink when we get into cooler water like the sea, which means rings get looser. Wet skin also makes it likely that a ring can slide off more easily. Hot tubs and swimming pools contain chlorine that can discolor silver and damage the rhodium plating that makes white gold bright white. If you wear your white gold rings into a pool, the chances are they will have a brownish-yellow tint to them when you get out. Overall, it’s just better to put things away safely and securely until you get back from your swim.

Our final tip: Take your jewelry off at night. 

You might not think it, but you can damage jewelry, or it can damage you even while you sleep. Your fingers swell overnight, so your rings can get tight. This can be painful the next morning or, in severe cases, can obstruct the blood supply. Chains on necklaces can get caught in bed covers, night clothes, hair, or even your partner! This can cause them to weaken or even snap if there is repeated wear on the metal. The same applies to bracelets. As the old saying goes, It’s better to be safe than sorry!

We know; it sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Keep in mind that when you buy something to wear for a lifetime, it needs to be looked after and maintained. Treat your jewelry with a little TLC, and you will enjoy it for longer, prevent potentially expensive repair work, and know that you are keeping your precious pieces safe for yourself and the next generation!