Siegel Jewelers
Jewelry Care 101: How to Keep Your Pieces Looking Brilliant
The Siegel Journal

Jewelry Care 101: How to Keep Your Pieces Looking Brilliant

September 10, 20245 min readBy The Siegel Family
care maintenance tips

Jewelry Care 101: Keeping Your Pieces Brilliant

Your jewelry is an investment — and with proper care, it will look stunning for generations. Here's everything you need to know about cleaning, storing, and maintaining your fine jewelry.

Daily Care Habits

Remove jewelry before:

  • Swimming (chlorine and saltwater damage metals and loosen settings)
  • Exercising (sweat accelerates tarnishing; impact can damage stones)
  • Applying lotions, perfumes, or hairspray (chemicals dull gemstones)
  • Sleeping (prongs can catch on fabric and bend)
  • Household cleaning (harsh chemicals are damaging)
Put jewelry on last — after applying all cosmetics and getting dressed.

Cleaning at Home

Gold and Diamond Jewelry:

Soak in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap for 20–30 minutes. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Silver:

Use a silver polishing cloth for light tarnish. For heavier tarnish, a paste of baking soda and water applied gently with a soft cloth works well. Rinse and dry completely.

Pearls:

Wipe with a soft, damp cloth after each wearing. Never soak pearls — water weakens the silk thread. Store flat, not hanging.

Gemstones:

Most gemstones (sapphires, rubies, emeralds) can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for emeralds, opals, and pearls.

Proper Storage

  • Store each piece separately to prevent scratching

  • Use a fabric-lined jewelry box with individual compartments
  • Keep silver in anti-tarnish pouches or cloth
  • Store pearls away from other jewelry (they're soft and scratch easily)
  • Avoid storing jewelry in bathrooms — humidity accelerates tarnishing

Professional Maintenance

We recommend bringing your jewelry to Siegel Jewelers at least once a year for:

  • Professional cleaning — ultrasonic and steam cleaning removes buildup that home methods can't reach
  • Prong inspection — worn prongs are the #1 cause of lost stones
  • Rhodium replating — white gold rings need replating every 1–2 years to maintain their bright white finish
  • Ring sizing — fingers change size with seasons and age

Free Cleaning at Siegel Jewelers

We offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for any piece, any time. No appointment needed. Bring your jewelry in and we'll have it sparkling in minutes.

Visit us at 2845 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE, Grand Rapids · (616) 949-7370

Visit Us in Grand Rapids

Have questions? Our experts are here to help. Visit Siegel Jewelers or book a private consultation.

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Koli Mitogo

Koli Mitogo

I've been to many jewelry stores over the years, but Siegel Jewelers is in a class of their own. The staff remembered my name on my second visit, helped me find the perfect anniversary gift within my budget, and even gift-wrapped it beautifully. This is what shopping should feel like.

2 weeks ago

Sarah M.

Sarah M.

My fiancé proposed with a ring from Siegel and I couldn't be more in love with it. The diamond is absolutely stunning and the setting is exactly what I'd always dreamed of. The team helped him pick something perfect without me knowing — they really listened to what he described about my style.

1 month ago

James K.

James K.

Brought in a family heirloom ring for repair and restoration. The craftsmanship on the repair was impeccable — you can't tell it was ever damaged. They also cleaned and polished it at no extra charge. The ring looks better than it has in decades.

3 weeks ago

Emily R.

Emily R.

I was completely overwhelmed trying to choose an engagement ring on my own. The team at Siegel spent two hours with me, never rushing, explaining every option. I left with a ring I'm obsessed with and a much better understanding of diamonds. Worth every penny.

2 months ago

Michael T.

Michael T.

Six generations of family ownership shows in every interaction. The knowledge, the care, the attention to detail — it's unlike any other jewelry store I've visited. They treated my $800 purchase with the same respect as someone spending $8,000.

5 months ago

Amanda B.

Amanda B.

The custom design process was incredible. They took my rough sketch and turned it into the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. The CAD preview was spot-on, and the finished piece exceeded my expectations. I get compliments every single day.

3 months ago

Brian W.

Brian W.

I've been a Siegel customer for 15 years. Every purchase has been perfect, every repair flawless, every interaction warm and professional. This is the only jewelry store I'll ever recommend to friends and family in Grand Rapids.

6 weeks ago

Natalie R.

Natalie R.

I brought in my grandmother's ring to be redesigned into something I could wear every day. The custom design team was incredible — they kept the sentimental stones and created something modern and stunning. I cry every time I look at it.

4 months ago

Tom H.

Tom H.

Bought my wife's engagement ring here 20 years ago and just came back for our anniversary. The service is exactly the same — warm, knowledgeable, and never pushy. A true Grand Rapids institution.

7 months ago

Lindsey P.

Lindsey P.

I was nervous about buying jewelry for the first time but the team made me feel so comfortable. They explained everything about the 4 Cs, showed me options in my budget, and never made me feel judged. Left with a gorgeous necklace and a huge smile.

3 weeks ago

Marcus D.

Marcus D.

The Sunshine Guarantee alone sold me — but the experience sealed it. The staff spent over an hour with me, never rushing, helping me find the perfect ring for my proposal. She said yes, and we're both obsessed with the ring.

1 month ago

Carrie S.

Carrie S.

Siegel resized my ring same day and cleaned it for free while I waited. The jeweler even pointed out a prong that was starting to wear and fixed it at no charge. This is what real customer care looks like.

2 months ago

Derek & Jenna F.

Derek & Jenna F.

We designed our wedding bands completely from scratch. The process was so fun — they walked us through every metal, every finish, every engraving option. The final result was beyond what we imagined. Truly one-of-a-kind.

8 months ago

Patricia L.

Patricia L.

I've been shopping at Siegel for 30 years and the quality has never wavered. My daughter just got engaged and of course we went straight to Siegel. Watching her try on rings in the same store where I bought my own was a very special moment.

5 months ago

Ryan O.

Ryan O.

I was completely lost when it came to buying an engagement ring. The team at Siegel walked me through everything with zero pressure. I ended up with a GIA-certified diamond that was better quality and lower price than anything I'd seen online. Couldn't be happier.

6 weeks ago

Koli Mitogo

Koli Mitogo

I've been to many jewelry stores over the years, but Siegel Jewelers is in a class of their own. The staff remembered my name on my second visit, helped me find the perfect anniversary gift within my budget, and even gift-wrapped it beautifully. This is what shopping should feel like.

2 weeks ago

Sarah M.

Sarah M.

My fiancé proposed with a ring from Siegel and I couldn't be more in love with it. The diamond is absolutely stunning and the setting is exactly what I'd always dreamed of. The team helped him pick something perfect without me knowing — they really listened to what he described about my style.

1 month ago

James K.

James K.

Brought in a family heirloom ring for repair and restoration. The craftsmanship on the repair was impeccable — you can't tell it was ever damaged. They also cleaned and polished it at no extra charge. The ring looks better than it has in decades.

3 weeks ago

Emily R.

Emily R.

I was completely overwhelmed trying to choose an engagement ring on my own. The team at Siegel spent two hours with me, never rushing, explaining every option. I left with a ring I'm obsessed with and a much better understanding of diamonds. Worth every penny.

2 months ago

Michael T.

Michael T.

Six generations of family ownership shows in every interaction. The knowledge, the care, the attention to detail — it's unlike any other jewelry store I've visited. They treated my $800 purchase with the same respect as someone spending $8,000.

5 months ago

Amanda B.

Amanda B.

The custom design process was incredible. They took my rough sketch and turned it into the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. The CAD preview was spot-on, and the finished piece exceeded my expectations. I get compliments every single day.

3 months ago

Brian W.

Brian W.

I've been a Siegel customer for 15 years. Every purchase has been perfect, every repair flawless, every interaction warm and professional. This is the only jewelry store I'll ever recommend to friends and family in Grand Rapids.

6 weeks ago

Natalie R.

Natalie R.

I brought in my grandmother's ring to be redesigned into something I could wear every day. The custom design team was incredible — they kept the sentimental stones and created something modern and stunning. I cry every time I look at it.

4 months ago

Tom H.

Tom H.

Bought my wife's engagement ring here 20 years ago and just came back for our anniversary. The service is exactly the same — warm, knowledgeable, and never pushy. A true Grand Rapids institution.

7 months ago

Lindsey P.

Lindsey P.

I was nervous about buying jewelry for the first time but the team made me feel so comfortable. They explained everything about the 4 Cs, showed me options in my budget, and never made me feel judged. Left with a gorgeous necklace and a huge smile.

3 weeks ago

Marcus D.

Marcus D.

The Sunshine Guarantee alone sold me — but the experience sealed it. The staff spent over an hour with me, never rushing, helping me find the perfect ring for my proposal. She said yes, and we're both obsessed with the ring.

1 month ago

Carrie S.

Carrie S.

Siegel resized my ring same day and cleaned it for free while I waited. The jeweler even pointed out a prong that was starting to wear and fixed it at no charge. This is what real customer care looks like.

2 months ago

Derek & Jenna F.

Derek & Jenna F.

We designed our wedding bands completely from scratch. The process was so fun — they walked us through every metal, every finish, every engraving option. The final result was beyond what we imagined. Truly one-of-a-kind.

8 months ago

Patricia L.

Patricia L.

I've been shopping at Siegel for 30 years and the quality has never wavered. My daughter just got engaged and of course we went straight to Siegel. Watching her try on rings in the same store where I bought my own was a very special moment.

5 months ago

Ryan O.

Ryan O.

I was completely lost when it came to buying an engagement ring. The team at Siegel walked me through everything with zero pressure. I ended up with a GIA-certified diamond that was better quality and lower price than anything I'd seen online. Couldn't be happier.

6 weeks ago

Koli Mitogo

Koli Mitogo

I've been to many jewelry stores over the years, but Siegel Jewelers is in a class of their own. The staff remembered my name on my second visit, helped me find the perfect anniversary gift within my budget, and even gift-wrapped it beautifully. This is what shopping should feel like.

2 weeks ago

Sarah M.

Sarah M.

My fiancé proposed with a ring from Siegel and I couldn't be more in love with it. The diamond is absolutely stunning and the setting is exactly what I'd always dreamed of. The team helped him pick something perfect without me knowing — they really listened to what he described about my style.

1 month ago

James K.

James K.

Brought in a family heirloom ring for repair and restoration. The craftsmanship on the repair was impeccable — you can't tell it was ever damaged. They also cleaned and polished it at no extra charge. The ring looks better than it has in decades.

3 weeks ago

Emily R.

Emily R.

I was completely overwhelmed trying to choose an engagement ring on my own. The team at Siegel spent two hours with me, never rushing, explaining every option. I left with a ring I'm obsessed with and a much better understanding of diamonds. Worth every penny.

2 months ago

Michael T.

Michael T.

Six generations of family ownership shows in every interaction. The knowledge, the care, the attention to detail — it's unlike any other jewelry store I've visited. They treated my $800 purchase with the same respect as someone spending $8,000.

5 months ago

Amanda B.

Amanda B.

The custom design process was incredible. They took my rough sketch and turned it into the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. The CAD preview was spot-on, and the finished piece exceeded my expectations. I get compliments every single day.

3 months ago

Brian W.

Brian W.

I've been a Siegel customer for 15 years. Every purchase has been perfect, every repair flawless, every interaction warm and professional. This is the only jewelry store I'll ever recommend to friends and family in Grand Rapids.

6 weeks ago

Natalie R.

Natalie R.

I brought in my grandmother's ring to be redesigned into something I could wear every day. The custom design team was incredible — they kept the sentimental stones and created something modern and stunning. I cry every time I look at it.

4 months ago

Tom H.

Tom H.

Bought my wife's engagement ring here 20 years ago and just came back for our anniversary. The service is exactly the same — warm, knowledgeable, and never pushy. A true Grand Rapids institution.

7 months ago

Lindsey P.

Lindsey P.

I was nervous about buying jewelry for the first time but the team made me feel so comfortable. They explained everything about the 4 Cs, showed me options in my budget, and never made me feel judged. Left with a gorgeous necklace and a huge smile.

3 weeks ago

Marcus D.

Marcus D.

The Sunshine Guarantee alone sold me — but the experience sealed it. The staff spent over an hour with me, never rushing, helping me find the perfect ring for my proposal. She said yes, and we're both obsessed with the ring.

1 month ago

Carrie S.

Carrie S.

Siegel resized my ring same day and cleaned it for free while I waited. The jeweler even pointed out a prong that was starting to wear and fixed it at no charge. This is what real customer care looks like.

2 months ago

Derek & Jenna F.

Derek & Jenna F.

We designed our wedding bands completely from scratch. The process was so fun — they walked us through every metal, every finish, every engraving option. The final result was beyond what we imagined. Truly one-of-a-kind.

8 months ago

Patricia L.

Patricia L.

I've been shopping at Siegel for 30 years and the quality has never wavered. My daughter just got engaged and of course we went straight to Siegel. Watching her try on rings in the same store where I bought my own was a very special moment.

5 months ago

Ryan O.

Ryan O.

I was completely lost when it came to buying an engagement ring. The team at Siegel walked me through everything with zero pressure. I ended up with a GIA-certified diamond that was better quality and lower price than anything I'd seen online. Couldn't be happier.

6 weeks ago