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Jewelry Care

14K Gold Jewelry:

BUILT TO LAST WITH PROPER CARE

14K gold is one of the most durable and popular choices for fine jewelry, containing 58.3% pure gold mixed with stronger metals like copper and silver. This composition makes it more resistant to scratches and everyday wear than higher karat golds, but it still requires thoughtful care.

Daily Care for 14K Gold

What makes 14K gold special:The alloy metals in 14K gold can cause slight discoloration over time, especially when exposed to lotions, perfumes, and natural skin oils. However, this can be easily prevented and reversed with proper care.

World's Best Jewelry Cleaner

Clean regularly with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled toothbrush or Lemel’s World’s Best Jewelry Cleaner.

Do's and Don'ts for 14k Gold

  • Put on your 14K gold jewelry after applying makeup, perfume, and lotions
  • Clean regularly with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled toothbrush or Lemel’s World’s Best Jewelry Cleaner.
  • Use a jewelry cleaning cloth to restore shine between deeper cleanings.
  • Store pieces separately to prevent scratching.
  • Avoid exposure to chlorine (swimming pools, hot tubs, cleaning products) and harsh chemicals.
  • Don't wear it while exercising or during activities that cause excessive sweating (unless you are prepared for more often professional cleaning and harder wear and tear).

How to Clean 14K Gold:

Professionally Cleaning 14K Gold

Take your 14K gold pieces to a jeweler every 6-12 months for professional cleaning, polishing and inspection.  

Professional tips:

  • White gold pieces will lose their luster over time as the rhodium wears off and begin to give off a yellowish hue.  This will require a jeweler to re-rhodium the piece.   We recommended re-rhodiuming your white gold jewelry when you start to notice the yellowness or get a new piece to stack with it and there is a stark difference between the older piece and the newer piece (think stacking rings or adding a band to your wedding se).
  • Scratches to gold pieces can be polished off but only a few times over the life of the piece depending on the thickness of the gold.  For example a gold cartier bracelet can be polished every once and a while but probably no more than 3x over the course of it’s life.  When gold is polished thing layers of gold are removed so it can thin it out too much if it is done too often.  

Diamond Jewelry:

MAINTAINING MAXIMUM BRILLIANCE

Diamonds may be the hardest natural substance on Earth, but they're not invincible. Oil, dirt, and soap buildup can quickly dull a diamond's sparkle, making proper cleaning essential for maintaining their fire and brilliance.

Understanding Diamond Care

Why diamonds get dirty: Despite their hardness, diamonds are actually oil-attracting (oleophilic), meaning they easily attract skin oils, lotions, and dirt that can create a film over the surface and reduce light reflection.

Cleaning Diamonds Safely At Home

The soaking method: Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish detergent. Soak diamond jewelry for 20-30 minutes, then use a clean, soft toothbrush to gently scrub around the diamond and under the setting where dirt commonly accumulates.

LeMel’s World’s Best Cleaner: Use the  LeMel Jewelry Foaming Cleaner specifically designed for diamonds and gold. Apply the cleanser, brush gently, and rinse with warm water for restaurant-quality results at home.

Do's and Don'ts for Diamonds

  • Always put a cloth down over your sink drain when cleaning jewelry by the sink to prevent losing anything down the drain.
  • Don't use chlorine bleach (can damage the metal setting) or harsh brushes (can loosen the prongs)
  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for vintage and antique diamond pieces.
  • Do have your diamond jewelry professionally cleaned every 3-6 months and make sure to check for loose settings - a loose setting is a lost diamond!

Fashion Jewelry:

MAXIMIZE THE LIFESPAN OF GOLD FILL & PLATED JEWELRY

Fashion jewelry, including gold-plated, silver plated, and base metal pieces, requires extra care due to its more delicate construction. With the right approach, you can significantly extend the life of these affordable pieces.

Understanding Fashion Jewelry Materials

Fashion jewelry typically consists of base metals (brass, copper, nickel) with thin plating or coating. This plating will wear away over time, especially with improper care, but the idea is to make it last as long as possible.  

Cleaning Fashion Jewelry at Home:

  • Use only mild soap and water, or Lemel’s World’s Best Jewelry Cleaner, avoiding harsh chemicals
  • Dry thoroughly immediately after cleaning to prevent water damage
  • For tarnished silver-plated pieces, use a silver polishing cloth sparingly

Professional Cleaning 

  • Sterling Silver- If a silver item has turned all black and will not shine after cleaning it with a cloth, bring it to a professional jeweler to be professionally polished.  
  • Gold Plated - Rarely items can be re-plated.  However, the cost to do so and the quality of the outcome will likely outweigh the value of the item.  Can you dip the piece in gold again?  It is not that simple….
  • Gold Filled - Gold Filled can be put in a sonic cleaner and possibly lightly polished.  However, it is not guaranteed that the gold layer will not come off after polished.

Do's and Don'ts for FASHION JEWELRY

  • Let perfumes and lotions dry completely before putting on jewelry.
  • Wipe down pieces with a soft, dry cloth to remove oils and moisture.
  • Store your pieces in individual plastic zip lock or jewelry bags to prevent tarnishing.
  • Avoid exposure to water (especially shower, pool or ocean) and store in a dry place.

Professional Maintenance:

WHEN TO SEEK HELP

Even with excellent home care, professional maintenance is essential for preserving jewelry value and safety.

Annual Professional Services

What professional cleaning can do:

  • Ultrasonic and steam cleaning for deep restoration
  • Prong tightening and setting inspection
  • Rhodium plating for white gold pieces
  • Appraisal updates for insurance purposes

Signs you need professional help:

  • Stones feel loose in their settings
  • Clasps aren't closing securely
  • Severe tarnishing that home methods can't address
  • Bent or damaged pieces requiring repair

How to Best Store Your Jewelry

Proper storage is crucial for all jewelry types and can dramatically extend their lifespan regardless of material.

We love Stackers from the container store because they are stackable and have big enough sections to hold Jewelry Zip Locks.  

The Baggie Method: Simple and Effective

Store individual pieces in small plastic bags (a ziploc or a smaller jewelry airtight baggie) to create an airtight environment that slows tarnishing. For necklaces and chain bracelets, leave a small portion hanging out to prevent tangling.  We recommend clear bags so you can see what piece is inside.  This is a great way to travel with your jewelry as well.  

Recommended supplies:

  • Poly Bags from Amazon for individual storage
  • Stackers from Container Store for organized display

Advanced Storage Tips

For valuable pieces: Consider a jewelry safe or safety deposit box for items you don't wear regularly.  A cloth bag is also recommended.  

For everyday jewelry: Use a jewelry organizer with separate compartments to prevent pieces from rubbing against each other.  We love Stackers from the container store.  

Climate control: Store jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Travel Like a Pro: Protecting Jewelry on the Go

Traveling with jewelry requires extra planning to prevent loss, damage, or theft.

How to Best Store Your Jewelry:

Proper storage is crucial for all jewelry types and can dramatically extend their lifespan regardless of material.

We love Stackers from the container store because they are stackable and have big enough sections to hold Jewelry Zip Locks.  

The Baggie Method: Simple and Effective

Store individual pieces in small plastic bags (a ziploc or a smaller jewelry airtight baggie) to create an airtight environment that slows tarnishing. For necklaces and chain bracelets, leave a small portion hanging out to prevent tangling.  We recommend clear bags so you can see what piece is inside.  This is a great way to travel with your jewelry as well.  

Recommended supplies:

  • Poly Bags from Amazon for individual storage
  • Stackers from Container Store for organized display

Advanced Storage Tips

For valuable pieces: Consider a jewelry safe or safety deposit box for items you don't wear regularly.  A cloth bag is also recommended.  

For everyday jewelry: Use a jewelry organizer with separate compartments to prevent pieces from rubbing against each other.  We love Stackers from the container store.  

Climate control: Store jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Travel Like a Pro: Protecting Jewelry on the Go

Traveling with jewelry requires extra planning to prevent loss, damage, or theft.

Travel Like a Pro:

PROTECTING YOUR JEWELRY ON THE GO

Traveling with jewelry requires extra planning to prevent loss, damage, or theft.

Smart Packing Strategies

Use a dedicated travel case: The LeMel travel case offers specialized compartments for different jewelry types, keeping everything organized and protected during transit.

Pre-trip planning: Photograph your jewelry collection before traveling. This serves as both inventory and insurance documentation.

Packing essentials:

  • Roll necklaces in tissue paper or store in individual pouches or zip locks
  • Use pill organizers for small earrings and rings
  • Bring jewelry cleaning wipes for maintenance during travel

Airport Security and Safety

Always carry-on: Never pack valuable jewelry in checked luggage. Lost luggage reimbursement limits rarely cover jewelry's true value.

Security considerations: Wear your most valuable pieces while traveling, and keep jewelry in your personal item bag that stays with you.  

A Few More Tips:

Creating Your Jewelry Care Routine

Developing consistent habits is the key to long-lasting jewelry:

  • Daily: Remove jewelry before showering, exercising, or applying beauty products.
  • Weekly: Quick cleaning with appropriate methods for each material type.
  • Monthly: Thorough inspection for damage or wear, deep cleaning as needed.
  • Annually: Professional cleaning and inspection for valuable pieces.

Investment Protection: Documentation and Insurance

Photograph everything: Create a digital catalog of your collection with detailed photos and descriptions.

Keep receipts and certificates: Store purchase documentation and authenticity certificates in a secure location.

Consider insurance: Valuable pieces may warrant separate jewelry insurance or additions to your homeowner's policy.

Regular appraisals: Update appraisals every 3-5 years to reflect current market values.

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