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When you start collecting the good stuff, it’s important to understand how to care for fine jewelry, so you can enjoy it for years to come!

You might have started your fine jewelry collection with a few heirloom pieces. Soon, you add engagement and wedding rings to the mix, diamond studs, a timeless watch, and before you know it you have a ruby and diamond suite tucked away . . . at the back of your sock drawer. Girl, no! If you’ve collected fine jewelry faster than you’ve learned how to care for it, you need my Q&A with Constance Polamalu, chief operating officer at Zachary’s Jewelers, the leading fine jewelry purveyor in Annapolis, Maryland. Read on for her answers to my top questions about how to store, care for, and enjoy fine jewelry.

Q: What’s the best way to store fine jewelry when I’m not wearing it?

A: The most important things to keep in mind are that you don’t want your jewelry to tangle or get scratched. Tossing your jewelry onto a nightstand or in a drawer is not only hard on the precious metals and stones, you also risk losing it. The best place to keep fine jewelry is in a fabric-lined jewelry case that has compartments sectioned off for each item. If you must store your jewelry tucked away in bags or tissue paper, make sure each piece is separated so they don’t rub up and scratch each other.

Q: How should I clean my jewelry? 

A: You may have heard that it’s ok to clean your jewelry with a mild soap or dish soap. I am not a fan of that advice! In many cases,what’s actually mucking up a beautiful diamond is soap residue. My recommended cleaning solution is a simple shot glass full of windex or peroxide. Simply let your diamonds soak overnight and if there is still some build up in the morning then you can gently clean then with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse in water (with the drain plugged) and pat dry with a paper towel. However, that only goes for diamonds – I don’t recommend attempting to clean any other gemstones or pearl jewelry at home, because there are too many nuances to gemstone compositions. Instead, come in to see me on your way to brunch every Sunday! I’m always happy to help my clients clean their gems on-site.

Q: How often do I need to bring jewelry in to be polished or to get settings checked?

A: I prefer to see my clients as often as possible! You should bring in your pieces a minimum of once a year, but ideally every few months, for a maintenance check-up. If you see your dentist more than you see me, “Houston, we have a problem.” It only takes our team a couple of moments to catch potential problems with your beloved pieces. It’s never a bother for us to clean and check your jewelry! As a certified jewelry professional, I’ll take a look at the gemstones to make sure their settings are secure, clean the piece, and polish the metal or, in the case of white gold, I might recommend re-plating the rhodium coating that makes it white and shiny.

Q: Should I get my jewelry appraised? How do I get it on file with my insurance company?

A: If you have a receipt and documentation from when you purchased your fine jewelry, you likely do not need it appraised. However appraisals are recommended when you don’t have a record of a piece’s value. This should include an itemization of the size and weight of the gemstones, type of metal, the designer, and so on. It’s definitely worth getting vintage jewelry or jewelry from overseas appraised. Getting an appraisal is the first step in getting your jewelry insured. Check with your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to make sure they cover jewelry. They will need documentation of the value of every piece of jewelry you want covered. However, this kind of insurance may only cover theft and not loss. Consider purchasing separate jewelry insurance if you want to make sure your collection is covered for any eventuality. A reputable fine jewelry store can assist you with this.

Q: I love my grandmother’s vintage pearl brooch, but I never wear it. What should I do?

A: It’s tough to cherish a meaningful piece of jewelry but regret not wearing it because it’s simply not your style. At Zachary’s Jewelers, our skilled designers can help you take that heirloom and recreate it as a custom piece that you will actually wear and enjoy. We can pay homage to the original piece of jewelry, or completely reshape it – it’s up to you. Fine jewelry shouldn’t live in a drawer, it should be taken out and enjoyed as often as possible. My goal is to help all my clients find the pieces that bring them joy every time they wear them.

All that said, I also reserve the right to tell you when a piece is too special to dismantle. For example I once had a client bring in a piece with family diamonds originally cut in the 1800s. As I spoke with the client I learned that the brooch in question had actually been worn to three different Presidential balls by three different family members. At that point,the conversation shifted from how I could redesign the piece to how best to gather photos and letters to build a museum worthy display to celebrate the family legacy. 

Thank you Constance for sharing your professional jewelry tips! You can schedule an appointment with Constance or a member of her team by calling Zachary’s Jewelers at 410-266-5555 or visit them in downtown Annapolis, Maryland at 100 Main Street.

You can also follow her on Instagram @constancethejeweler and Tikok @constancethejeweler.

For more on how to buy and care for fine jewelry, check out my jewelry guide for him and for her, and follow me on Instagram @theprimpysheep for style inspiration and product reviews.

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