The Laings Journal
Caring for your watches and jewellery is essential, as these cherished items are meant to be passed down through generations. Everyday dust and grime can begin to dull the brilliance of your special pieces, causing settings to clog and their wondrous shine to fade. Therefore, regular at-home cleaning is essential to ensure that the sparkle of your treasures endures.
How to clean your luxury watch at home
When it comes to cleaning watches at home, we would only recommend cleaning watches with bracelets. Luxury watches are complex innovations, and a little extra care should be taken.
1 – Make sure the watch itself is water-resistant, there are no chips in the glass and the crown is fully secure.
2 – Fill a dish with hot water and a little dish soap. Dip the bracelet of the watch into the water – make sure you do not dip the dial.
3 – Out of the water gently brush the watch bracelet with the toothbrush, making sure you reach in between the links
4 – Dip the bracelet in some clean water and then with a dry cloth polish the bracelet.
5 – You can use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the dial of the watch
Avoid wearing your watch for heavy-handed activities and when you take it off, store it away to avoid any bumps and scratches. You should never try and fix a luxury watch yourself. Opening the watch case could damage the waterproofing and inner mechanics.
With workshops that house rare and exceptional skills, Laings watchmakers are equipped with the expertise and precision skills to ensure your beloved timepiece is kept ticking for generations to come.
What daily acitivities can affect the lifespan of my jewellery?
The wear and tear of your jewellery is highly personal to you. If you have an extremely hands-on career, love outdoor activities, or like to keep your rings on at all times, these factors will all increase the wear of your jewellery. In turn, this can reduce the lifespan of your jewellery if you do not care for it and clean it accordingly.
When should I take my jewellery off?
It is best to take your jewellery off when in the shower as soaps and other products can cause a build-up of dirt on or under diamonds and gemstones – the same goes for any lotions used on the skin. Another important example is when doing any heavy lifting at home or when exercising, taking your rings off will avoid putting pressure on the back of the band and putting it at risk of scratching or becoming misshapen. Although it may not seem so, movement when sleeping can cause your jewellery to rub against bedding, wearing the claws faster and leading to less security in your stone setting. Therefore, we always encourage jewellery to be removed before bed. Your jewellery – rings especially – should always be removed when using cleaning products and chemicals to avoid dulling your diamonds or harming porous gemstones.
How to clean your jewellery at home
When you notice your jewellery dulling slightly, it is likely in need of cleaning. This can be done at home using simple tools including lukewarm water, dish soap and a small brush.
1 – Fill a dish with hot water and a little dish soap, then leave your items to soak for a few minutes.
2 – Once the water is cool enough to touch, brush each item gently with a brush (a soft toothbrush works well for this), this will dismantle any dirt and dust that has built up in the setting over time.
3 – Give each piece of jewellery a good rinse, washing away any soapy residue.
4 – Dry the item with a paper towel or cloth.
Be sure to check with a professional jeweller when cleaning any precious gems at home. Laings offers complimentary ring cleaning across all UK locations and expert advice on cleaning gemstones.
How often should you clean your jewellery?
Consider having your precious jewellery cleaned professionally every six months, not only to keep your diamonds and gemstones sparkling but to check the security of your stones and carry out any further maintenance if necessary. In between your professional jewellery maintenance, you can clean your jewellery at home when you find it has begun to lose its sparkle.
Learn more about Laings Jewellery Services here.
When purchasing any precious gemstone or diamond jewellery, always ask an expert how to maintain your item best. Gemstones and precious metals require various maintenance, so establishing a care plan with jewellery specialists will allow you to look after your precious jewellery for years to come.
Contact our team to find out more about taking care of your precious jewellery or book an appointment with our service experts in your nearest showroom.