Jewellery not only beautifies the wearer, it’s an investment. Over time, precious metals and gemstones typically increase in value.

To realise the full worth of your brilliant cut diamond ring, string of black pearls, or 18-karat gold bracelet, however, it’s essential to protect, clean and store these items correctly.

Beware the beauty enhancers

The first rule is to put on jewellery only once you’ve already applied your makeup, perfume and lotions. That’s to limit the exposure of the jewellery to chemicals that can dull the natural colours of gemstones, eat away at the delicate layers of calcium carbonate that form pearls and pit and damage gold alloys.

After use, it’s recommended that you wipe each piece with a soft clean cloth, to remove any natural oils, perspiration and traces of chemical products.

Avoid heat and light

Heat and light are major enemies of almost all forms of jewellery. The natural colours of gemstones, such as topaz and amethyst, fade. Pearls dry out, crack and discolour, and opals develop fine fissures and turn shades of white or brown.

Storing pieces in a lined jewellery box, or wrapping them individually in tissue paper or cotton wool, will protect them from harsh light and extreme temperatures.

Clean carefully

Scrubbing or using abrasive cleaning chemicals can damage metals and gems, adding fine scratches and dulling their shine. It can also result in gemstones coming loose from their backings and other forms of damage.

It’s important to clean valuable pieces of jewellery periodically to retain their sparkling beauty and intrinsic value. However, stick to gentle polishing. Use warm water, a mild solution of water with dishwashing liquid and a soft brush.

Beware sinks and drains

Never mind simple damage – it’s common to lose valuable pieces or gems completely when they fall into sinks and disappear into drains.

To help prevent this from happening, keep valuable items of jewellery away from sinks. If you need to polish them, do this on a counter or table. Then it’s simply a matter of rinsing the piece off in a glass or another container of water.

Also be sure to remove all your valuable bits and bobs before doing physical chores, or your heirlooms may get scratched and damaged, significantly reducing their value.

Rope in the professionals

At least once a year, you should rope in the professionals to clean and polish valuable pieces of jewellery. At the same time, ensure they double-check and repair worn mountings, loose prongs and strands.

Every other year, it’s a good idea to re-polish platinum, re-plate soft white gold, re-string pearls and re-tip the prongs of your rings.

Using jewellery to get a loan

With Lamna, you can use a valuable item of jewellery to secure an asset-based, short-term loan.

Once you’ve repaid the loan and agreed interest, the jewellery will be returned to you – so there’s no need to sell a treasured item.

For more information about using jewellery to secure a short-term loan, contact us on 0330 341 1707 or simply complete and submit our online application form.