Your jewelry deserves thoughtful care to preserve its beauty and ensure it lasts for generations. Following these simple guidelines will help you enjoy your precious pieces for years to come.

Protecting your jewelry starts with knowing when to take it off. The most common situations that can damage or destroy your pieces include:

1. Before swimming: Cold water causes fingers to shrink (making rings slip off), while chlorine eats away at precious metals and can crack prongs
2. During house cleaning: Bleach and household chemicals cause discoloration and structural damage to metals and gemstones
3. At the gym: Weights and equipment can scratch rings, while changing circulation makes them fit poorly
4. For home improvement projects: Tools, paint, and building materials can damage settings and be difficult to remove
5. When caring for small children: Little hands love to grab sparkly, dangling pieces
6. During sleep: High-set rings and delicate chains can catch on bedding

For a complete guide on protecting your jewelry from these common hazards, read our detailed article on when to remove your jewelry.

How you store your jewelry significantly impacts its condition:

1. Separate storage: Keep pieces in individual pouches or compartments to prevent harder gemstones (like diamonds) from scratching softer metals or stones
2. Silver-specific care: Store sterling silver jewelry in airtight containers or ziplock bags to slow tarnish development
3. Travel protection: When traveling or on-the-go, use a secure jewelry pouch like our Logo Double Pocket Jewelry Pouch to keep pieces safe and organized

For comprehensive guidance on jewelry storage solutions and techniques, read our detailed article on how to store your jewelry.

Regular maintenance keeps your jewelry looking its best and helps prevent costly repairs:

1. Annual professional cleaning: Have your pieces professionally cleaned once a year to maintain their brilliance
2. Regular inspections: Check your jewelry frequently for loose stones, worn prongs, or other signs of wear
3. Professional repairs: Always consult a qualified jeweler for repairs, refinishing, or resizing to avoid damage
4. Insurance protection: Protect your investment by adding jewelry coverage to your insurance policy. For detailed guidance on insuring your fine jewelry, including coverage options and valuation tips, read our comprehensive guide to jewelry insurance

Gold, Palladium, and Platinum Jewelry

For routine cleaning of precious metal jewelry:

1. Prepare cleaning solution: Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap (Dawn or Joy work well), or use our specially formulated Foaming Jewelry Cleaner for optimal results
2. Gentle cleaning: Use a soft-bristled brush (like a clean toothbrush) to gently clean around stones and detailed areas
3. Rinse thoroughly: Use clean, warm water to remove all soap residue
4. Dry completely: Pat dry with a soft cloth and allow to air dry completely before storing

Important reminders:

1. Never soak jewelry for extended periods
2. Avoid harsh detergents, chemicals, or abrasive cleaners
3. Take extra care around gemstones, which may have different cleaning requirements

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Basic cleaning: Follow the same gentle cleaning method described above for precious metals.

Tarnish removal: The approach depends on your piece's finish and any gemstones it contains. For detailed instructions and video demonstrations on safely removing tarnish at home, see our guide on how to remove tarnish from sterling silver jewelry.

Polishing: Use our Silver Cleaning Cloth for gentle polishing, but avoid using polishing cloths on textured or oxidized surfaces as they can remove intentional finishes.

Important: Never use chemical tarnish removers on jewelry containing gemstones, as they can damage stones.

For pieces that need deeper cleaning, tarnish removal, or refinishing (such as restoring polished, oxidized, or matte finishes), we offer professional restoration services for jewelry we have created for a $10 fee plus applicable shipping costs.

To use our cleaning services:

1. Contact us for a repair authorization number
2. We'll provide detailed shipping instructions
3. Your Corey Egan jewelry will be professionally restored and returned to you

Please note: We only provide professional cleaning services for jewelry pieces we have created.

We love to share what we know about jewelry care! You'll find more helpful articles and videos on our jewelry care blog, covering everything from specific cleaning techniques to storage solutions.

Your treasured pieces are meant to be worn and enjoyed—proper care simply ensures they'll continue bringing you joy for many years to come.