Caring for your jewelry

Solid 14k and 18k gold does not rust or tarnish the way silver does. When it looks dull, the cause is usually a film of skin oils, soap and lotion, which comes off with warm water and mild soap.

1. Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild, unscented dish soap.
2. Soak the piece for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, including the inside of rings and the back of settings.
4. Rinse in clean warm water, in a bowl or with the drain closed.
5. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and let the piece air-dry for an hour.

• Toothpaste and baking soda, which scratch gold.
• Silver dips and silver polishing cloths.
• Paper towels and tissues, which can leave fine scratches.

For rings worn every day, a quick clean once a week keeps stones bright.

Diamond (10 on the Mohs scale) and sapphire (9) are hard and stable, so they can be cleaned the same way as gold. Most of their dullness comes from oil collecting behind the stone, where it blocks light.

1. Soak in warm water with a drop of mild soap for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Brush behind the stone and between the prongs with a soft toothbrush.
3. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth.

• Storing diamonds against other pieces. Diamond scratches gold and other stones.
• Knocks against hard surfaces. Even diamond can chip along its edges.

Emeralds (7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale) naturally contain inclusions, and most are treated with oil to make them less visible. Heat, steam and vibration can remove that oil or widen fractures, so emeralds need a gentle routine.

1. Use room-temperature water with a drop of mild soap.
2. Brush the metal only, keeping the brush away from the stone.
3. Rinse briefly and pat dry with a soft cloth.

• Ultrasonic cleaners.
• Steam cleaners.
• Hot water and sudden temperature changes.
• Solvents, including acetone and alcohol-based cleaners.

Emeralds are best suited to pendants and earrings, where they are protected from knocks.

Freshwater pearls are organic and soft, between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale. Acids in sweat, perfume and cosmetics dull their luster, and water can weaken the fittings that hold them.

1. Put pearls on last, after makeup, perfume and hairspray, and take them off first.
2. After each wear, wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
3. Let them dry flat before storing.

• Submerging pearls in water, including for cleaning.
• Soap, detergents and jewelry cleaning solutions.
• Ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
• Airtight plastic bags, which can dry pearls out.

Everyday products are the most common cause of dull or damaged jewelry. Most of the risk can be avoided by putting jewelry on last and taking it off before contact.

• Chlorine in pools, hot tubs and bleach, which can weaken gold alloys over time.
• Sunscreen and lotion, which leave a film behind stones.
• Perfume and hairspray, especially on pearls and emeralds.
• Household cleaning products, including ammonia and bleach.
• Salt water and long periods of humidity.

Apply lotion, sunscreen and perfume first, let them dry, then put on your jewelry.

Solid gold is made to be worn, but some activities put pieces at risk of knocks, bending or loss. Taking them off for these moments adds years to their life.

1. The gym and sports: weights and equipment can bend rings and knock stones.
2. Swimming: chlorine and salt water affect gold and pearls, and cold water shrinks fingers so rings slip off.
3. Gardening and cleaning: soil, grit and chemicals scratch metal and lodge in settings.
4. Sleep: prongs can catch on bedding and bend over time, and fine chains can knot or break.
5. Cooking with your hands: dough and oils collect in settings.

Store each piece on its own so harder stones and metals cannot scratch softer ones, and keep everything somewhere dry, dark and cool.

1. Keep pieces in separate compartments of a lined box, or in individual pouches.
2. Fasten chain clasps, then hang chains or lay them flat to prevent tangles.
3. Store pearls flat in a breathable fabric pouch, away from heat.
4. For travel, use a padded case with separate sections and carry it in your hand luggage.
5. Thread fine chains through a drinking straw and fasten the clasp to keep them straight.

• Bathrooms, where steam and products settle on jewelry.
• Windowsills, radiators and hot cars.
• Checked luggage.

The cotton pouch that comes with every VÉRA piece is designed for everyday storage and travel.

A goldsmith can see what home cleaning cannot: worn or lifted claws, loose stones and weak links. Every VÉRA piece includes free professional cleaning and a claw check at our New York studio for life.

1. Book an appointment at 52 Greene Street, Studio 3F, New York, Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00.
2. Bring the piece, and mention anything you have noticed, such as a stone that moves or a clasp that slips.
3. We clean the piece, inspect it under magnification and tell you if anything needs attention.

For rings with stones worn every day, we suggest a check once or twice a year.

Most plain bands and solitaires can be resized, and most damage can be repaired by a goldsmith. Every VÉRA piece has a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

1. Eligible rings, meaning plain bands and solitaires, include one free resize within 60 days of delivery.
2. Manufacturing defects within 2 years are repaired at no cost.
3. After that, resizing and repairs are done at cost in our New York studio.
4. Contact care@verafinejewelry.store or call (212) 555-0186 to arrange a repair.

• Having a VÉRA piece altered elsewhere. Alterations by others are not covered by the warranty.
• Wearing a ring with a loose or moving stone until it has been checked.

Full eternity rings and stacked settings are not eligible for the free resize.