Olivia Burton and Thomas Sabo Jewellery

The 10 Biggest Jewellery Mistakes According to Jewellers

You Cause Damage With The Wrong Cleaning Methods

The legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor supposedly cleaned her diamonds with toothpaste. You will discover plenty of these at-home diamond jewellery cleaning solutions on the internet, but they are not recommended. Jewellers regularly see damage to fine jewellery caused by harsh chemicals, acidity and scrubbing. The simplest way to clean your jewellery is warm water and nothing stronger than dishwashing soap.

Your Diamond Jewellery Has Never Been Cleaned

Grease, dirt and build-up can steal the sparkle from your diamond jewellery. Put the life back into your jewellery, watches and gemstones with regular cleaning. You can discover helpful and professional jewellery cleaning advice from your jeweller, including how best to clean your gemstones and which polishing cloths to use for gold and silver.

If you can’t clean your jewellery at home, make sure to take pieces to the experts. Some gemstones can be irreparably damaged by steam and ultrasonic cleaning methods, including emeralds and rubies, so it is vital to secure professional advice.

You Swim and Shower in Your Jewellery

Chlorine and saltwater residue can build up on your jewellery and watches over time and dull the sparkle of diamonds or stainless steel. By taking off your favourite pieces before you shower or swim, you will be protecting your treasures from these harsh factors.

Diamonds are famously hard, but that doesn’t mean they can’t chip if they sustain a blow. By removing your diamond engagement ring, diamond wedding band and other gem-set jewellery pieces before being active, you are reducing the risk of damage.

You Sleep in Your Jewellery

Sleeping can put sustained pressure on the mount of a precious pair of gemstone earrings or the chain of a gold necklace. Over time this will weaken your jewellery and make it more prone to breaking. Our jewellery care advice would be to take your pieces off before going to bed.

You Wear Your Pearls First

Pearls (and other gemstones like opals) are extremely sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, as well as perfume, body lotions, hairspray and other chemicals. Pearls should be the last thing you put on when getting ready and the first thing you take off at home. Caring for your pearl jewellery is essential to maintain their lustre and iridescence, so it is important to ask your jeweller for their advice.

Your Jewellery Isn’t Stored Correctly

To keep your gold, silver, platinum and diamond or gemstone jewellery looking its best, store pieces in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. A box with a soft lining is ideal, as are individual cotton or felt pouches to stop your silver tarnishing. Store your diamonds, gemstones and pearls separately so they can’t knock together.

You Ignore Damaged Settings

Perhaps you noticed a wobbly diamond claw or a damaged link on your bracelet watch strap some months ago, but never got it fixed. These small areas of damage can lead to much bigger problems. Don’t risk losing a diamond or gemstone because of a weakness that only worsens with time. Speak to your jeweller about jewellery repair services and watch servicing to prevent small problems becoming big ones.

You Don’t Get Your Automatic Watch Serviced

Watches with a mechanical movement require servicing every three to five years. In some cases, this can involve disassembling the entire movement, cleaning it, adding oil to the individual parts and then reassembling and polishing the watch.

It may seem counterintuitive, but automatic watches that are left idle and worn infrequently may need more servicing as the movement inside can rust or lack the right lubrication. If you regularly swim in your diver’s watch, you should get your watch serviced every two years to check for water resistance and ensure the case back is secure.

Caring for your automatic watch and mechanical watch collection should be a priority to keep movements in good working order and, of course, to ensure your timepieces are dirt free. Speak to your jeweller to discover the best solution for your particular timepiece.

Your Jewellery or Watch Is Not Insured

Jewellers get to enjoy some of the most romantic moments of their clients’ lives, like engagements, wedding days and anniversaries. But there are also some sad moments too, especially when pieces are lost, stolen or gemstones go missing. Avoid this by getting jewellery insurance. You may never be able to replace a beloved diamond jewellery piece but knowing a replacement can be found will be a weight off your shoulders.

You’ve Never Had Your Antique or Heirloom Pieces Valued

Heirloom and antique pieces are potentially very valuable and could be set with stones that can be upcycled into bespoke creations. Instead of keeping them hidden, let your jeweller tell you if your diamond jewellery pieces or gemstone jewellery designs have significant value. The same can be said for vintage watches; some can be very valuable, especially with their original paperwork and box. Valuing antique watches requires specialist knowledge, so speak to your jeweller to find out more.

Your jewellery is an important and significant part of your life, which is why essential jewellery after-care, watch servicing and professional jewellery cleaning are so important. Keep every facet of your jewellery and watch collection sparkling by choosing to speak to the experts today.

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