After decades of working on precious jewelry in Metairie, one truth has stood firm: jewelry may sparkle, but it is not indestructible. Gold bends, gemstones crack, pearls panic at the sight of chemicals, and silver tarnishes faster than a Louisiana sidewalk after a rainstorm. Half the repairs that come into the shop start with the same sentence—“It just broke on its own.” Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
Jewelry lasts for generations when handled with care, cleaned properly, stored thoughtfully, and kept far away from the hazards that quietly ruin it over time. Here’s what years at the jeweler’s bench have shown about keeping treasured pieces in good shape—mixed with just enough humor to keep things honest.
CLEANING: WHERE MOST GOOD INTENTIONS GO WRONG
Proper cleaning keeps jewelry bright, secure, and safe from buildup. But not all cleaning methods are created equal. A diamond can handle a little scrubbing. A pearl, on the other hand, reacts to harsh chemicals the way a cat reacts to bathwater.
Different materials require different cleaning methods:
• Gold shines up well with mild solutions and soft cloths
• Diamonds need oil removal to regain brilliance
• Sterling silver responds to tarnish-control cloths
• Opals, turquoise, and emeralds require gentle, non-soaking methods
• Pearls prefer almost no moisture at all
Some stones crack under temperature changes. Some absorb liquids. And a few will turn cloudy from the wrong cleaners. The worst culprits are bleach, ammonia, abrasive powders, and home ultrasonic machines that shake delicate stones loose one vibration at a time.
Cleaning jewelry is like cleaning a classic car—gentle, patient, and never with whatever chemical happens to be under the sink.
STORAGE: AN UNDERRATED DEFENSE AGAINST DAMAGE
A jewelry box full of tangled chains, scratched rings, and earrings missing their partners is basically a repair shop waiting to happen. Proper storage prevents most of the accidental damage that sneaks up on precious pieces.
The best storage habits include:
• Soft-lined compartments
• Anti-tarnish cloths for silver
• Low-humidity environments
• Separating soft gemstones from harder stones
• Keeping chains apart to prevent knotting
Jewelry pieces do not appreciate being tossed together. Diamonds, being one of the hardest substances around, will happily scratch softer stones if given the chance. Pearls will lose their luster when stored in plastic. Silver sitting in open air will tarnish faster than a New Orleans pothole reappears after a repair.
A little organization now prevents a lot of restoration later.
AVOIDING CHEMICALS AND DAILY HAZARDS
The chemicals people come across every day can cause more damage to jewelry than many realize. Chlorine weakens gold alloys. Perfume and hairspray dull delicate stones. Cleaning products strip finishes. Even long exposure to sweat can harm certain materials.
Jewelry and chemicals are not friends. They are barely acquaintances. Keeping pieces away from:
• Pools
• Hot tubs
• Cleaning sprays
• Lotion
• Hair products
• Harsh soaps
…protects them from discoloration, corrosion, and weakened structure.
Soft stones like opals, amber, and turquoise are especially sensitive. They respond to chemicals the way a beignet responds to humidity: poorly and quickly.
INSPECTION: SMALL PROBLEMS BECOME BIG PROBLEMS WHEN IGNORED
Jewelry gets worn down slowly, quietly, and out of sight. Prongs thin over time. Clasps loosen. Chains stretch. Settings shift. These changes are normal, but ignoring them leads to bigger problems—like stones falling out during dinner, workouts, vacations, or, very often, on the way to a wedding reception.
Regular inspection catches:
• Loose stones
• Bent prongs
• Weak clasps
• Worn shanks
• Micro-cracks
• Stretched links
Inspection saves many pieces from major or irreversible damage. Think of it as an annual checkup—except fewer rubber gloves and more diamonds.
SOFT GEMSTONES HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS
Not all gemstones survive the same way. Diamonds may be tough, but most gems are far more sensitive.
Some examples:
• Pearls absorb oils and lose luster
• Opals contain natural water and react to temperature swings
• Emeralds often contain internal fractures that require gentle handling
• Turquoise scratches easily
• Amber dulls from friction
Understanding each stone’s temperament is key. A ring with an emerald should not be treated like a ring with a ruby. A pearl necklace should never sit in the same drawer as a diamond bracelet unless conflict is the goal.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE ARE WORTHWHILE
Home cleaning keeps jewelry presentable, but professional cleaning goes deeper. A jeweler can polish scratches, tighten settings, reshape metal, remove stubborn tarnish, and restore brilliance to stones dulled over years of wear.
Professional maintenance also includes inspecting pieces under magnification—catching issues invisible to the naked eye. Many stones that “mysteriously fell out” were loose long before their escape. Professional care keeps surprises to a minimum.
WEAR PATTERNS TELL THE REAL STORY
Jewelry shows where it has been. Rings wear down at the bottom. Chains stretch where they catch on clothing. Hinges loosen from frequent movement. Pendants rub against shirt fabrics, slowly thinning metal over time.
Recognizing these patterns helps prevent broken components and lost stones. When the signs appear early, repairs remain small, simple, and far less costly.
FINAL THOUGHTS FROM A LIFETIME AT THE JEWELER’S BENCH
Jewelry holds memories, milestones, and moments. Proper care keeps those moments from turning into repair bills. Cleaning should be gentle, storage should be thoughtful, chemicals should stay far away, and fragile stones should be treated with the respect they deserve.
A little care goes a long way—and a well-maintained piece remains strong, beautiful, and ready to be passed down to the next generation, without a jeweler having to glue, polish, or rescue it first.
If you’d like a version specifically for gemstone education, engagement rings, or heirloom preservation, I can create that too.