Proper care and maintenance is vital in preserving the beauty and lustre of your precious stones. Remember, fine jewelry isn't just beauty, it's an investment. Jewelry maintenance and care doesn't take much time, but the time spent definitely pays off in the long run. Here are a few Dos and Don'ts when caring for your jewelry.

DOS Clean your diamonds regularly using a commercial jewelry cleaner, a mix of ammonia and water, or a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry into the solution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under the setting. Grease can be removed from gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol. Take your gold jewelry off while showering or cleaning, as it can develop a soapy film. Apply cosmetics, hair sprays and perfume before putting on any pearl jewelry. When you remove the jewelry, wipe it carefully with a soft cloth to remove any traces of these substances. Place pearl jewelry in a chamois bag or wrap them in tissue when putting them away. Ask your jeweler to restring your pearls once a year. The constant contact with chemicals can stretch and weaken the strand. Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Store pieces individually so that they don't knock together and scratch. Titanium jewelry is easily cleaned with water and a non-abrasive soap or cleaner. Make sure to dry well with a soft cloth. Have your jeweller clean and polish your jewelry once a year to diminish wear and tear. Your jeweller may encourage you do this more frequently depending on the piece.

DONTS Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough work. Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, it can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow. Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub. Sterling silver pieces are more reactant to chlorine beware. Do not rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products. Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light during storage as this can cause silver to tarnish. Be conscientious about where you leave your diamond jewelry. To avoid misplacing, return them to the lined box they came in. Avoid cleaning cultured pearls with chemicals or abrasives. Salt water and harsh chemicals will dull and erode your gemstones. Do not toss your cultured pearl jewelry carelessly into a purse, bag or jewel box. A pearl's surface is soft and can be scratched by hard metal edges or by the harder gemstones of other jewelry pieces.