Jewellery Care Guide | Preserving Fine Jewellery & Diamonds

Last updated: September 2026 · BHIM JEWELLERY LLC · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A Note from Our Dubai Master Goldsmiths:

Precious metals such as 18K gold and platinum are naturally malleable, while diamonds and fine gemstones possess varying degrees of hardness and porosity. Follow these proven principles to protect your heirlooms from accidental damage, chemical wear, and loss of sparkle.

01The Golden Rule: Last On, First Off

The most important rule in fine jewellery stewardship is simple:

“Your jewellery should be the LAST thing you put on in the morning, and the FIRST thing you take off at night.”Put your jewellery on only after your perfume, skincare lotions, hairsprays, and makeup have fully dried. In the evening, remove your jewellery before washing your face, applying night creams, or going to sleep.

02Water, Pools & Ocean Exposure

While pure water does not immediately corrode solid gold, everyday water exposure carries hidden risks:

Chlorinated Pools & Spas

Chlorine chemically attacks the alloys in 18K and 14K gold, causing microscopic stress cracking at solder joints that can lead to sudden prong failure. Never wear fine jewellery while swimming.

Ocean & Salt Water

Cold seawater shrinks finger size temporarily, causing valuable rings to slip off unnoticed into the depths. Ocean salt also leaves abrasive mineral deposits inside pavé settings.

Showers & Tap Water

Hard water minerals, conditioning shampoos, and bath bars leave a dull soapy residue behind diamonds and gemstone pavilions, rapidly diminishing light reflection and fire.

03Perfumes, Lotions & Household Chemicals

Fine jewellery should never come into contact with harsh chemical compounds:

Fragrances & Colognes: High alcohol content and synthetic aromatic oils can tarnish silver, dull the surface of pearls, and chemically erode soft gemstones. Always spray perfume prior to wearing necklaces and earrings.
Hand Sanitizers: Frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers can prematurely strip the rhodium plating on white gold and dry out organic gemstones like pearls and opals.
Bleach & Cleaning Detergents: Chlorine bleach, ammonia, and acidic household cleaners can permanently discolor gold alloys and cause irreversible pitting in precious metals. Remove all rings when performing household chores.

04Exercise, Gym & Physical Activity

Remove all rings, bracelets, and necklaces before engaging in athletic workouts or sports:

Metal-on-Metal Impact: Gripping steel gym barbells, dumbbells, or kettlebells will warp even the strongest gold and platinum ring shanks, ovalizing the band and loosening tension settings.
Prong Snagging: High-intensity workouts, tennis, or contact sports risk snagging diamond prongs against clothing or equipment, causing microscopic bending that allows stones to fall out.
Natural Perspiration: Bodily perspiration contains trace lactic acid, urea, and sodium that accelerates surface oxidation on copper-rich rose gold and sterling silver.

05Proper Storage & Scratch Prevention

Diamonds are the hardest natural mineral known to science (10 on the Mohs scale). This means a diamond will scratch any other diamond, gemstone, or precious metal it touches:

Individual Compartments:Always store each jewellery piece in its own dedicated velvet slot, suede pouch, or separate box compartment. Never store multiple rings or necklaces tangled together in a dish.

Fasten Clasps Before Storing:Always clasp necklace and bracelet chains before placing them flat in pouches to prevent frustrating knotting and kinked links.

06Safe Home Cleaning Routine

To restore the brilliant sparkle of your diamonds and gold at home, perform this gentle 10-minute spa routine once every two to three weeks:

Prepare the Bath: Fill a small ceramic bowl with lukewarm (never boiling) water and add 2 to 3 drops of mild, fragrance-free liquid dish soap.
Soak Gently: Place your gold and diamond jewellery in the bowl and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen oils and hand lotions.
Brush Tenderly: Using an ultra-soft infant toothbrush, gently brush around the prongs, basket gallery, and underneath the gemstone pavilion where dust gathers. Never use stiff-bristled brushes.
Rinse Safely: Ensure your sink drain is securely plugged! Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm running tap water to wash away all loosened soap film.
Pat Dry: Gently pat the piece dry with a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth. Allow it to air-dry completely before wearing or storing.

07Ultrasonic Cleaners: What to Avoid

Home ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to agitate liquids. While safe for some pieces, they can catastrophic for others:

Generally Safe for Ultrasonic:

Plain solid 18K/Platinum bands, untreated natural diamonds with secure bezel or heavy 4/6-prong settings, unheated blue sapphires, and rubies.

NEVER Put in an Ultrasonic:

Emeralds (natural oil fillers will be stripped), Pearls, Opals, Turquoise, Tanzanite, fracture-filled diamonds, or delicate pavé micro-prong rings (sound vibrations can shake micro-stones loose).

08Material & Gemstone Specific Guidelines

18K Solid Yellow & Rose Gold:Solid gold does not rust or tarnish under normal circumstances. Rose gold contains a higher proportion of copper for its warm blush tone, which can undergo subtle oxidation over time. Buff lightly with a professional jewellery cloth to restore high luster.

18K White Gold & Rhodium Plating:White gold is naturally warm off-white in raw form and receives a lustrous electroplated coating of precious Rhodium. Over 1 to 2 years of daily wear, rhodium naturally wears thin where the ring touches surfaces. We offer complimentary re-rhodium dipping for BHIM creations.

950 Platinum:Platinum is hypoallergenic and does not lose metal when scratched—metal simply displaces. Over time, it develops a soft, satin “patina” cherished by connoisseurs. It can easily be polished back to a mirror finish at any time.

Natural Pearls & Organic Gems:Pearls require moisture and breathe. Wipe with a damp soft cloth after wearing. Never submerge in soapy water or store in airtight plastic bags, as lack of humidity causes pearls to crack and lose their iridescent nacre.

09Understanding Tarnishing & Discoloration

Clients occasionally wonder why skin or jewellery surfaces show slight discoloration:

Black or Green Skin Marks: High-karat gold (18K, 22K) never tarnishes; however, makeup foundations containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide can act as microscopic abrasives against gold, creating a dark dust on skin. Switching cosmetics or washing rings immediately solves this.
Sulfur Exposure: Airborne sulfur from hot springs, volcanic regions, high pollution, or onions/garlic in cooking causes rapid surface oxidation on silver and lower-karat alloys.

10Complimentary Annual Atelier Spa Service

Fine jewellery, like a fine Swiss timepiece, deserves periodic professional inspection.

We invite all clients to take advantage of our Complimentary Lifetime Annual Spa Service:

Our Annual Spa Service Includes:

High-magnification microscopic inspection of all diamond claws and prongs;
Precision claw tightening and stone stabilization;
Ultrasonic and pressurized steam degreasing;
Surface scratch buffing and polishing;
Rhodium plating refresh for 18K white gold rings.

Simply bring your piece to our Dubai Gold Souk private boutique or contact concierge to arrange insured collection.

Contact concierge