HOW TO

How to Care for and Maintain Vintage Jewelry

Congratulations, did you just purchase a one-of-a-kind vintage jewel or you’re curious about what it takes to maintain an antique heirloom?

Timeless treasures, like the ones found in each of our collections, carry rich history and unique charm - these jewels deserve a little extra love to keep them shiny, bright, and in tip top shape. Our tips for maintaining your precious pieces will ensure they stay gorgeous for years to come!

Understanding the Material of your Vintage Jewelry

Vintage jewelry comes in all shapes, sizes, and materials, each with its own quirks and maintenance tricks. Knowing what your piece is made of is the first step in keeping it in tip-top condition.

Metals: While metals like gold, silver, and platinum are durable, your antique metal jewelry should still be handled gently.

Gemstones: Some gemstones are more delicate than others. For example, opals and pearls are softer and can be damaged by harsh chemicals and abrasives. Softer stones like pearls and opals need extra gentle care. You may clean these gemstones, but avoid submerging them completely in water. Make sure to dry your gemstone jewelry thoroughly afterward with a soft cloth.

Glass and Enamel: Handle your glass and enamel pieces with extra care, since they are delicate and prone to chipping and cracking.

At-Home Cleaning Routine

Keeping your jewelry clean is essential for maintaining its vibrance, but vintage pieces need a gentle touch. Avoid using commercial jewelry cleaners as they can be too harsh. Instead, use mild soap and water for most pieces.

Cleaning Instructions:

  • For most pieces, mild soap and water work wonders—mix a few drops of mild soap with lukewarm water in a bowl. We suggest Dawn or Joy, but any “basic” dishwashing liquid that does not contain any moisturizers or similar chemicals will do. The key is finding one that fights grease and oils.
  • Soak your jewels for approx 10-15 minutes (this allows dirt, grime, skin oils, lotions, etc to loosen).
  • Use a baby toothbrush (extra soft) to gently clean your jewelry. Make sure to scrub the top and bottom of the jewelry (and diamonds/gemstones) to remove stubborn oils and dirt.
  • Gently rinse the jewelry under warm water.
  • Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. You can choose to go an extra step and use your blow dryer (in COOL setting) to gently blow dry any water spots.  A compressed air duster also works extremely well.
  • Repeat the steps of our at-home cleaning routine least every two weeks.

Proper Storage

Storing your jewelry is so important if you want your pieces to last.

Store each piece separately to avoid scratches and tangling. This is especially true for softer gemstones like emeralds, pearls, opals, etc. Having said that, diamonds can also scratch and possibly damage other diamonds, so be sure to store your jewelry in individual pouches or bags, ensuring your pieces remain in good condition.

Storage Tips:

  • Store each piece separately in soft pouches or cloth-lined jewelry boxes.
  • Keep jewelry in a cool, dry place—never in direct sunlight—to prevent fading, tarnishing, and deterioration.

Handling with Care

Always handle your vintage jewelry with clean hands. Oils and dirt from your skin can dull the surface over time.

Handling Tips:

  • Take off jewelry before doing household chores or engaging in activities that could cause damage.  This includes exercising, gardening, painting, etc.
  • Apply makeup, perfume, and hairspray before putting on your jewelry to avoid chemical exposure. This can cause diamonds and gemstones to lose their luster and lose their sparkle.

Professional Maintenance

Regular visits to a professional jeweler for maintenance can help identify and address issues like loose stones or worn prongs before they cause significant damage. If you hear or feel a stone coming loose, please remove the jewelry and store it in a sealed bag so you can send it in for inspection.

Lifetime Care Warranty

Jewels by Grace’s Lifetime Care Warranty is free to all clients for the lifetime of ownership. 

We suggest sending in your jewels for a deep clean, buff, polish, and prong check every 6 months to restore shine and prevent damage so you can love your antique jewelry for decades and generations to come. 

Special Considerations for Heirloom Jewelry

Certain vintage pieces may require extra special care due to their historical or sentimental value.

TLDR

Owning vintage jewelry is a rewarding (and addictive!) journey, which requires extra care and attention to ensure your pieces remain as stunning as the day they were made. 

  • Get in the habit of cleaning your jewelry at-home at least every two weeks.
  • Store each piece separately in soft pouches or cloth-lined jewelry boxes, away from direct sunlight.
  • Always handle with clean hands, and remove jewelry during activities that could cause damage.
  • Send in your vintage/antique jewelry every six months for a deep clean, buff, polish, and prong check.
  • Avoid extreme temperatures and handle heirloom pieces with extra caution
  • Reach out to us if you have any questions!

By taking to heart our JbyG care tips, you'll keep your treasures sparkling and ready to dazzle for many more years. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions about your jewels!