Jewelry Care Guide

Jewelry is among the most personal and cherished adornments—each piece becomes a part of us, like a second skin. Every jewel, whether made of gold, platinum, silver, enamel, or plated metals, is a precious creation that deserves thoughtful care and attention. Even the finest materials and craftsmanship can be affected by daily wear, environmental elements, or exposure to chemicals.

To preserve the beauty, structure, and brilliance of your jewelry for generations to come, we encourage you to handle each piece with mindfulness and follow the care instructions below. With proper maintenance, your jewelry will continue to tell its story—shining as beautifully as the day it was made.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at info@mareinewyork.com. 

General Jewelry Care

Store Separately and Safely 
Always store your jewelry in a soft-lined box when not in use. Use the jewelry box provided and keep each piece separate to avoid scratches or damage.

Wear with Care
Although fine jewelry is made of metal, all precious metals are delicate. Even our boldest designs should be worn thoughtfully. Avoid banging, scratching, bending, or dropping your pieces.

Avoid Abrasive Surfaces and Substances
Keep your jewelry away from rough materials such as sand, concrete, stone, and metal objects—including other jewelry—to prevent scratches. 

Know When to Remove Jewelry
Remove your jewelry before cleaning, exercising, swimming, gardening, or performing any strenuous or hands-on activities. These can cause damage or loosen stones.

Never Sleep in Jewelry
Remove all jewelry before bed. Sleeping in rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets can lead to bending, warping, or breakage.

Avoid Hand Sanitizers and Chemicals
Hand sanitizers and chemical disinfectants contain harsh ingredients that corrode metals, damage plating, and harm gemstones—especially pearls. Remove jewelry before applying.

Professional Maintenance
Have your fine jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year to ensure settings remain secure and your pieces retain their brilliance.

Jewelry Cleaning

For platinum, gold, and silver jewelry, clean gently with a soft cloth or a cleaner formulated for fine jewelry. You may also use warm soapy water and a soft brush. Soak for about 10 minutes, gently scrub, rinse with cool water, and pat dry with a soft cloth.

Keeping Jewelry in Excellent Shape 

To avoid bending or misshaping, remove rings and other jewelry before manual labor or physical activity. Pressure or impact can loosen settings or fracture metal over time.

Diamonds & Precious Gemstones 

While diamonds are the hardest natural material, they can still chip or crack from a strong impact. Handle all gemstones carefully and store them separately.

Clean gemstone jewelry with warm, mild soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners or harsh chemicals. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth.

Protect your gemstones from sudden temperature changes, which can cause fractures or alter color. Have them inspected yearly to ensure prongs and clasps remain secure. 

Semi-Precious Gemstones

Gemstones such as onyx and turquoise are more delicate. Avoid impact, heat, and chemicals. Store each piece in its original box or a soft-lined case. Never use ultrasonic or abrasive cleaners.

Pearl Jewelry 

Pearls are living gems that require gentle care. Wipe after every wear with a soft cloth. Avoid contact with hairspray, perfume, lotion, or makeup—pearls should be the last thing you put on.

Clean occasionally with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.

Have pearls restrung and inspected by your jeweler annually. Store separately in a soft pouch. Pearls thrive in moisture, so wear them often to prevent drying and cracking. 

Crystal Gemstones

Stones such as Agate, Onyx, Pyrite, Tiger's Eye, Quartz have crystalline structures and are prone to fracture. Avoid impact and sharp blows. Store safely in a soft-lined box away from other jewelry. 

Platinum & Gold Precious Metals

Platinum and gold are among the most enduring and treasured precious metals—valued for their natural beauty, rarity, and ability to last for generations. When properly cared for, fine jewelry made of these metals can be passed down as modern heirlooms, retaining their brilliance and symbolic meaning through time.

However, while durable, precious metals are not indestructible. Gold, in particular, is a soft metal that can bend, scratch, or dent if exposed to rough wear or abrasive materials. Platinum, though stronger and more resistant to wear, can still develop a soft patina of tiny surface scratches over years of use—an effect many collectors appreciate as a mark of character and authenticity.

To preserve the beauty and integrity of your precious metal jewelry, it’s important to handle it with mindful care. Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, abrasives, and chlorine, including pools and hot tubs, as these can discolor or weaken the metal. Clean your pieces gently using warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth, and have them professionally cleaned and inspected once a year to ensure settings, prongs, and clasps remain secure.

Always remove your jewelry during physical activities or manual work to prevent dents, bending, or warping. With proper care, your platinum and gold jewelry will maintain its radiance and strength, becoming a lasting testament to both craftsmanship and personal history.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver naturally oxidizes over time. Store in airtight containers or ziplock bags to reduce tarnishing. Polish gently with a silver-safe cloth or cleaner. Avoid bleach, chlorine, or abrasive surfaces. Regular wear helps prevent oxidation. If you prefer jewelry that will not tarnish, consider 18-karat gold or platinum pieces.

Enameled Jewelry

Enameled jewelry features a fine layer of glass-like material—called enamel—that is fused onto the metal’s surface through an ancient decorative technique. This process involves carefully applying colored powdered glass to the metal and heating it at high temperatures until it melts and bonds, creating a smooth, glossy finish. The result is a beautifully luminous surface that adds color, depth, and artistic detail to the piece.

Because enamel is made of glass, it is extremely delicate and must be handled with extra care. It can chip, crack, or wear away if exposed to harsh impact, chemicals, or abrasive surfaces.

Keep enameled jewelry away from lotions, perfumes, alcohol, oils, and hand sanitizers, as these substances can erode or dull the enamel’s surface. Avoid scratching or rubbing against rough fabrics or hard objects, and do not expose your jewelry to extreme heat or cold, which can cause the enamel to fracture or discolor.

To clean, gently wipe your enameled jewelry with a soft, dry cloth or use mild soapy water and your fingers. Never scrub or use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, as these can damage the enamel coating. With mindful care, your enameled pieces will maintain their vibrant color and glossy finish for many years to come.

Plated Jewelry

Understanding Gold Vermeil & Black Rhodium Plated Jewelry.
Plated jewelry is crafted by applying a thin layer of precious metal—such as gold vermeil or black rhodium—over a base of sterling silver or another fine metal. This delicate layer gives the piece its rich color, radiant finish, and luxurious appearance, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of gold or rhodium at a more accessible price point.

Gold vermeil is created using a thick layer of genuine gold plated over sterling silver, while black rhodium plating gives jewelry its striking dark, mirror-like sheen. Both finishes are achieved through a meticulous electroplating process that requires skill and precision to ensure an even, luminous coating.

Why Plated Jewelry Requires Extra Care.
Although plated jewelry is made with fine materials, the outer metal layer is delicate and naturally wears over time. Because the plating is thin, it is not scratch-resistant, and excessive friction or contact with moisture and chemicals can dull, fade, or remove the finish entirely. To maintain the beauty and brilliance of your plated pieces, they should always be worn and handled with care.

Avoid exposing plated jewelry to water, sweat, lotions, oils, perfumes, alcohol, or hand sanitizers, as these substances can erode the surface and weaken the bond between the layers. Keep your jewelry away from abrasive fabrics, hard objects, and rough surfaces that may cause scratches or chips. Remove your pieces before showering, exercising, cleaning, swimming, or sleeping to prevent unnecessary wear.

After each wear, gently wipe your jewelry with a soft, dry cloth to remove any oils or residue. Store your pieces in a clean, dry, airtight container with anti-tarnish strips to slow oxidation and preserve their finish. Never use polishing cloths, steam, or ultrasonic cleaners on plated jewelry, as these methods can remove the delicate plating.

When treated with mindfulness and care, your plated jewelry will maintain its luminous glow and continue to bring elegance and sophistication to your collection for many years to come.

Safe Jewelry Storage

Always store your jewelry carefully—never toss it into a drawer or onto a dresser. Use soft-lined boxes with individual compartments or travel jewelry cases when on the go. Keep valuables in a safe, secure, dry place, such as a hotel safe when traveling. 

Jewelry Repairs & Restoration

Even the most exquisitely crafted jewelry requires care over time. Whether polishing, All repairs and restorations are handled exclusively through our Marei New York workshop, where our highly skilled artisans, trained in traditional fine jewelry craftsmanship, personally oversee each piece with the utmost precision and respect for its original design.

Our Process 
Upon receiving your piece, we will perform a full assessment and provide a detailed estimate, including insured shipping both ways.

Authentication
Pieces not purchased directly from Marei New York or authorized retailers must be authenticated before service. We cannot repair items that cannot be verified as authentic.

Contact info@mareinewyork.com to initiate a repair or restoration.

Jewelry Insurance

While we do not offer jewelry insurance directly, we strongly recommend protecting your valuable pieces with a trusted insurance provider. Your jewelry represents not only material value but also personal meaning, and having it properly insured ensures peace of mind in the event of loss, theft, or damage.

We suggest obtaining coverage through Jewelers Mutual Insurance, a specialized insurer for fine jewelry, or adding your pieces to your existing homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Many insurers will require proof of purchase or an appraisal, so we encourage keeping detailed records and receipts for your Marei New York pieces in a safe place.

For questions about documentation or obtaining an appraisal, please contact us at info@mareinewyork.com, and our team will be happy to assist.

Need Assistance?

For questions, guidance, or personalized advice on jewelry care, please contact us at info@mareinewyork.com — we are happy to assist.