Unlike your cashmere sweater, jewelry doesn't come with a care and cleaning tag. But the care of each gemstone and type of metal can be as different as machine washing or dry-cleaning your clothes. Here are a few basic, but essential tips:

• Always put on your jewelry after clothing, make-up, hairspray and perfume. Clothes can snag, and the chemicals and oils in cosmetics can dull the shine of your precious gems and metals. They can even damage very soft and porous gems like opals, pearls, and turquoise.
• Never wear your jewelry when you do chores around the house and garden, or while engaging in sports or other outdoor activities.
• Bracelets and rings are more vulnerable to bumps and scrapes than other types of jewelry, but you should check all your pieces every few months for loose gems, broken prongs, chipped stones, scratched metals, nicked nacre on pearls, etc. Most damage can be easily repaired if it is discovered early enough.
• Make sure to store your jewelry properly. Diamonds can scratch emeralds, platinum can chip rubies and gold chains can kink and tangle with pearl strands. Each piece should be individually wrapped in velvet, tissue or some other soft material and stored in a jewelry box or bag.
• Pearls should be worn often. It's true, the more you wear your pearls, the more your natural oils will enhance and protect the luster and nacre of these unique gems. However, the more you wear them, the more often you need to restring them. It's a good idea to have your pearls restrung at least once every two years. Also, remember to store your pearls in the dark. Continual exposure to sunlight can cause your pearls to permanently lose their deep inner glow. Pearls do wear out. Make sure to apply all make-up and perfume before you put on your pearls. These gems from the sea are particularly susceptible to chemical damage.
• Professional cleaning of your jewelry once a year is a good idea. But between cleanings, you can easily maintain the shine, luster and glow of your gemstones and precious metals with warm soapy water and a gentle, soft brush. Rinse well and simply pat dry with a chamois cloth. A few exceptions:
  1. To clean your diamonds, prepare a six-to-one solution of cold water and ammonia, or even vodka, and dip for a minute. Then soak in warm soapy water for around 30 minutes. Lift it and tap it gently from the sides and then brush it gently with a soft toothbrush. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.
  2. Wedding rings, and other gold jewelry without gemstones, can be easily rubbed clean with a soft chamois cloth. To remove tarnish, add a few drops of ammonia to a cup of soapy water. Dip a soft toothbrush in the solution and gently scrub your jewelry, rinse with warm water and pat dry using a soft cloth. Grease can be removed by dipping in plain rubbing alcohol.
  3. Pearls should be wiped clean with a soft cloth after each use, in addition to the occasional warm soapy bath. Never use solvents or chemical cleaning solutions on pearls.
  4. Opals and turquoise need gentle care. Never soak opals or turquoise. Rather, simply wipe them clean with a damp, soft cloth.