How to care for your jewelry so it lasts

Let's face it: when you buy a piece of jewelry, you never think about how to use it. You just put it on and that's it! However, even if it's gold or diamonds , these little wonders need a little love to stay dazzling. If you leave them unattended, they tarnish, they get scratched, and the piece you loved so much at first becomes sad. We don't want that, do we?

A simple and effective clean

Cleaning is essential, but we often make it too complicated. Forget complicated chemicals and expensive kits. At home, it's lukewarm water and a squirt of mild soap , like good old Marseille soap. Take a toothbrush —a very soft one, eh!—and scrub gently. You'll see, dust and cream residue love to hide under the stones. A good rinse with clean water, a quick wipe with a soft cloth (microfiber is ideal), and voilà! Your jewelry has regained its shine . If you do this once a month, it's like giving it a regular makeover.

The golden rule of tidying up

This is the mistake everyone makes: throwing their jewelry around. But be careful, they're at war with each other! A diamond ring can scratch a sapphire, gold can tarnish when it comes into contact with the metal of another bracelet... It's a guaranteed disaster. The solution is simplicity: a small fabric pouch for each piece , or a box with clearly separated compartments. Not only does it protect them from scratches, but it also saves you time in the morning because you know exactly where your favorite pair of earrings is.

When do we take everything off?

You have to get into the habit of removing your jewelry when there is a risk. We're not talking about removing it to get the mail, but rather for cleaning , gardening , or even when you go to the swimming pool . Chlorine , bleach , and detergents are extremely aggressive for metals and stones. This little gesture of removing your ring to do the dishes is the simplest thing to extend their life by several years. It's just common sense, but it saves your pieces.

The annual technical inspection

Checking your stones from time to time is essential. If a prong is ever bent or if you feel your stone moving, you have to act quickly. A stone that falls is the end of the world. You lose the value, but more importantly, you lose the jewel. The simplest thing is to go see your jeweler once a year . He will do a quick check of the settings , tighten what is necessary, and it costs you next to nothing in exchange for total peace of mind .

Attention to the environment

Even the storage location matters. Avoid leaving your jewelry in an overly humid place (like the bathroom) or in direct sunlight behind a window. Direct light can affect the color of some stones over time, and humidity is not a friend to metals. A dry, slightly dark drawer with pouches is the best luxury hotel for them.

More than brilliance: memory

Taking care of your jewelry goes much further than making it shine. It's a way of taking care of your history . The necklace your grandmother left you is a memory that you carry. If you keep it in perfect condition, you ensure that this history, this emotion , can be passed on to your children and grandchildren. Maintenance becomes an act of love and respect for the past.

And when it comes to money, it's a protection: a well-maintained piece of jewelry retains all of its value . If it's dirty, scratched, or missing a stone, its resale value drops. That's why maintenance isn't an expense; it's a security for your capital.

In short: a little regular effort (gentle cleaning, separate storage, annual check-up) and your jewelry will remain beautiful, strong, precious , and they will continue to tell your story, year after year. It's simple, it's human, and that's all they ask of you.