Care of Jewellery and Watches
Jewellery is meant to be worn.
Small signs of wear are part of it and, over time, tell their own story. With a little attention and regular care, the beauty, function and value of fine jewellery and watches can be preserved for many years.
Caring for jewellery properly
After wearing, jewellery should occasionally be wiped with a soft microfibre cloth. This removes skin oils, dust and light deposits.
Perfume, hairspray, cosmetics and creams can affect jewellery, pearls and delicate gemstones. The rule is therefore: put jewellery on last and take it off first. With pearl necklaces in particular, it is advisable to apply cosmetics and perfume completely before putting on the necklace.
Take care with delicate gemstones
Not every gemstone can be cleaned in the same way. Pearls, coral and other organic gem materials do not belong in an ultrasonic cleaner. Gemstones with natural inclusions, fine fractures or a delicate structure, such as emeralds and opals, should not be cleaned ultrasonically either.
Caution is also required with treated gemstones. If in doubt, professional cleaning and inspection in the goldsmith’s workshop is recommended.
Jewellery in everyday life
Where possible, rings should be taken off before bathing, swimming, sport, gardening and heavier housework. Chlorine, cleaning agents and other chemicals can attack precious metals, surfaces and delicate gemstones in particular.
Hard knocks should also be avoided. Rings and settings can be damaged when you touch metal doors, tools or other hard objects. One often underestimated moment: when you applaud, rings on both hands can strike each other. Particularly delicate gemstones or fine settings can be damaged as a result.
Have settings checked regularly
Pieces of jewellery that are worn frequently should be checked periodically. On rings with gemstones and diamonds, the claws and setting edges in particular wear down over time. A stone can still appear secure even though too little metal remains. An early check and repair is usually far simpler than replacing a lost gemstone.
Watches and water
Before contact with water, make sure that the crown is fully closed or screwed down. The water resistance of a watch is not a permanent property. Seals age and can be impaired by temperature, knocks or wear. With regular contact with water, a periodic water-resistance test is therefore recommended.
After bathing in the sea, a suitably water-resistant watch should be rinsed with clean fresh water.
Quartz watches
In quartz watches that are not worn for some time, a flat battery should not remain in the movement for long. An old battery can leak and damage the movement. Replacing the battery in good time is therefore advisable.
Storage
Pieces of jewellery should be stored individually and protected wherever possible. Because of their great hardness, diamonds can scratch other gemstones or jewellery surfaces and even damage other diamonds. Chains should be stored so that they do not become knotted, and delicate pieces should not lie loose together in a jewellery box.
Refreshing, overhaul and service
A professional refresh can give a piece of jewellery new lustre. Depending on the piece and its condition, surfaces can be reworked, clasps and settings checked and necessary repairs identified at an early stage.
For watches, an overhaul or regular servicing helps to maintain function and reliability in the long term. Water resistance, seals and wearing parts can also be checked at the same time.
Proper care helps to extend the life of jewellery and watches and to preserve their value for many years. Jewellery and watches are companions for life and, with the right care, often far beyond.
