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Fischer's Jewelry Guide

The Fischer’s Guide to Caring for Your Jewelry

Simple ways to protect the pieces you love — and keep them sparkling for years to come.

Fine jewelry care at Fischer's Jewelry

Fine jewelry is meant to be worn.

Your engagement ring goes to work with you. Your favorite necklace gets layered with everything. A treasured family ring comes out for special occasions. Along the way, jewelry naturally encounters lotions, soaps, oils, perfume, makeup, and everyday wear.

A little care can go a long way toward keeping those pieces beautiful.

At Fischer’s Jewelry, we believe caring for your jewelry should be simple. Here are some of our favorite tips for protecting your pieces at home — and knowing when it’s time to let a professional take a closer look.

✦ Start With a Little Sparkle

If your diamond suddenly looks a little dull, don’t panic.

Lotions, natural skin oils, soap, and cosmetics can leave a film on your jewelry that keeps light from interacting with the stone the way it should.

For many sturdy diamond pieces, a gentle at-home cleaning can help restore that sparkle. Use warm — not hot — water with a small amount of mild dish soap. Let the piece soak briefly, then gently clean around the setting using a very soft toothbrush. Rinse carefully and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

The Fischer’s Tip

Simple is better. Skip toothpaste, baking soda, bleach, chlorine, abrasive cleaners, and hard-bristled brushes. If you’re unsure what’s safe for your piece, bring it by Fischer’s and ask us first.

✦ Your Engagement Ring Needs More Than Cleaning

A beautiful sparkle doesn’t necessarily mean everything underneath is perfect.

Engagement rings are exposed to everyday wear more than almost any other piece of fine jewelry. Over time, prongs can wear down, settings can become damaged, and stones can loosen.

During an inspection, a jeweler can look for loose stones, worn prongs, bent settings, metal wear, and other potential problems.

Notice something different?
If your ring suddenly catches on clothing, a stone appears to move, or something simply doesn’t feel right, stop wearing it and have it inspected.

✦ Not Every Gemstone Likes the Same Treatment

Diamonds may tolerate cleaning methods that would be inappropriate for a pearl, emerald, opal, turquoise, or another more delicate material.

If you don’t know exactly what the gemstone is, don’t experiment.

Bring the piece to Fischer’s and let us help you determine the safest way to care for it.

✦ A Special Note About Pearls

Pearls deserve a little extra love. Apply perfume, hairspray, lotion, and makeup before putting them on. After wearing them, gently wipe them with a soft cloth before storing them.

Last thing on. First thing off.

Store pearls separately from harder jewelry that could scratch their surface.

✦ Be Careful With At-Home Ultrasonic Cleaners

Ultrasonic cleaning isn’t appropriate for every gemstone, setting, antique piece, or piece of fine jewelry. If you’re not certain your jewelry is suitable for ultrasonic cleaning, ask before putting it in.

✦ Sometimes the Best Jewelry Care Is Taking It Off

Consider removing fine jewelry before:

  • Working out
  • Swimming
  • Gardening
  • Heavy lifting
  • Showering
  • Cleaning with household chemicals
  • Applying lotion or self-tanner

Gold and platinum are durable, but they aren’t indestructible.

✦ Give Every Piece Its Own Space

Diamonds are extremely hard, which means they can scratch other gemstones and jewelry. Use individual compartments, soft pouches, or a lined jewelry box whenever possible.

✦ Before You Travel, Check Your Jewelry

Before packing jewelry for a trip, check clasps, look at prongs, and make sure stones appear secure. Finding a problem before you leave is much better than discovering one while you’re away.

When Should You Bring Your Jewelry to Fischer’s?

Bring a piece in if:

  • A stone feels loose
  • A prong looks damaged
  • Your ring catches on clothing
  • A clasp stops working properly
  • A chain is damaged
  • Your jewelry looks unusually dull
  • You aren’t sure how to clean a gemstone
  • An important piece hasn’t been inspected in a while

Let’s Keep Your Jewelry Beautiful

Your jewelry takes care of the memories.
We’ll help you take care of the jewelry.

If something needs cleaning, inspection, repair — or you simply have a question — bring it to Fischer’s Jewelry. We’ll be happy to take a look.

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