Ensuring your jewelry’s value is fairly simple, but can often be last on the ongoing list of things to do. In short, your jewelry’s value comes down to cleaning, proper storage, the occasional appraisal and updated insurance. If you follow these basic tips, your jewelry will maintain its value or even increase over the years – and will be an investment that will stand the test of time!

• Have your jewelry checked at least once a year to ensure your setting is secure, the prongs are tight, your stones aren’t loose, etc. At the same time, ask to have your ring professionally cleaned. You won’t believe the sparkle!
• Do not expose your jewelry to salt water or harsh chemicals like chlorine or detergents.
• Apply all cosmetics, perfumes and colognes prior to putting on your jewelry. Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull.

Storing Your Jewelry
Diamonds and other stones can scratch each other if they rub together, and this damages polish characteristics. It is best to store your jewelry items in a soft jeweler's cloth so they don't come in contact unnecessarily. Even jewelry that you wear day to day should be treated with care. A simple jewelry box with partitions or compartments should be sufficient in separating your pieces. Store especially valuable items in a home safe or lockbox or in an unpredictable and safe place. Even if you have insurance, jewelry loss can be a very emotional experience, and you may never be able to replace some pieces.

Cleaning Your Jewelry
As with all other valuable items that are worn daily, fine jewelry requires care and cleaning. Soaps, lotions and other everyday items can leave a hazy residue all over your diamond and setting, reducing the brilliance of the stone and the jewelry’s metals. Well cared for jewelry will retain its sparkle and shine and last you much longer than that which is not.

There are a number of jewelry cleaning solutions on the market. Check the directions on each to ensure that it is the right cleaner for your type of jewelry. For cleaning jewelry, with diamonds specifically, at home, we recommend the following home remedy:

• Use a soft brush if necessary to remove dirt. Soft is the key – don’t use a brush with bristles that are stiff enough to scratch the metal setting.
• Mix one part ammonia with four parts warm water
• Soak for approximately 10 minutes
• Scrub gently with a soft toothbrush (used for jewelry cleaning only)
• Dip the jewelry repeatedly in the solution
• Rinse with warm to hot tap water
• Pat dry with a lint-free cloth

Appraising Your Jewelry
For insurance purposes, and especially on large value items, you should renew your appraisals every 2-3 years to be current with inflation. If you purchase a jewelry item from us, we keep your appraisal information on file, so you may simply call to have us reevaluate the item.