Image: Emma Wright via Tropical Wedding Brunch Ideas

We can all remember the day we first put on a treasured piece of jewellery; an engagement ring, a wedding band, a gift, and just how sparkly and new it looked. It glimmers in the sunshine, you can see you face in the polished finish, you get distracted at traffic lights!  These pieces are made to be worn everyday, which means that gorgeous polish and sparkle will start to fade over time. Now, if you are one of my clients, you can bring your rings back to us as often as you wish and we will re polish and re sparkle your pieces for free.

Images: Zoe Pook Jewellery

However, many clients ask me how best to look after their rings on a daily basis – so I thought I would share with everyone my trade secrets for cleaning and caring for your precious jewellery.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that although gold and some gems are pretty tough as materials go, they are still prone to wear and tear.  So, you know, if you are rock climbing, building a house, mining, hand to hand fighting – take your rings off!  A good rule of thumb to keep your rings looking as beautiful as possible for as long as possible is: they should be the first things you take off in the evening and the last thing you put on in the morning (after perfume, moisturisers etc)

However, I am a realist, and this is not always possible.

So… here’s a quick four step process to clean you rings at home:

  1. Get an old toothbrush and clean your jewellery pieces in warm soapy water. Make sure to clean behind any gems.
  2. Rinse under clean water.
  3. Leave to air dry (or use a hairdryer)
  4. Get a clean tissue or soft cloth and wipe over any non porous gems (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, aquamarine, CZ, citrine, tourmaline, amethyst, garnet) with some cloudy ammonia (can get at the supermarket), that will bring their sparkle back. For porous gems (pearls, topaz, tanzanite, emeralds, coral, onyx, opals, turquoise, tiger eye, lapis, jade, amber) simply clean with warm (not hot!) water and leave to air dry.

Image: Zoe Pook Jewellery

I would suggest undertaking this process at least every six months. Everybody needs a bit of sparkle in their life!

Ms Floral Says: This is the DIY we all need right about now! Can’t wait to try this out on my own rings. Thanks Zoe!

About Zoe Pook Jewellery: As a classically trained jeweller, attention to detail is first and foremost.  She uses traditional tools alongside modern techniques to create beautiful and durable pieces. She finds that working with clients during the design process adds something special and more personal to the jewellery that she produces.