New Jewelery Overlaid on a Magazine
Jewellery Advice

How to Care for Your New Jewellery: 10 Top Tips

Were you lucky enough to receive a few new sparkling pieces this Christmas?

If the answer is yes, then you may want to read on. We’ve put together a list of some of our top tips on how to keep your jewellery looking as beautiful as the day you got it!

From diamonds to gemstones to sterling silver, all new jewellery requires a little TLC to keep it in tip-top condition. Just follow these simple steps for jewellery that will sparkle and shine for years to come…

Woman Opening New Jewellery by Thomas Sabo

1. Wipe after wearing

Gently wipe down your jewellery after every wear using a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust or dirt, and to prevent build-ups of other substances like creams and perfumes. Check out our Silver Jewellery Polishing Cloth from Connoisseurs to help prevent tarnish on your sterling jewellery, or our Connoisseurs Gold Polishing Cloth to keep your gold pieces beautifully lustrous!

2. Avoid chemicals

Your new jewellery should be the finishing touch to your outfit – that means putting it on after you’ve applied your make-up and sprayed any perfume, hairspray or other beauty products. The chemicals in these products can damage your jewellery and reduce its lustre, so avoid letting them come into contact with each other.

3. Remove your jewellery in water

Especially in the case of chlorinated water! Always take off any jewellery before getting into a pool or making a trip to the spa.

You should also remove your jewellery before showering, as even plain water can cause metal to lose its lustre and gemstones to come loose.

4. Keep away from direct sunlight

Prolonged exposure to light and heat can impact the colour and durability of many gemstones, so make sure to protect your jewellery from these harsh conditions. 

When you’re not wearing your new jewellery design, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight.

5. Use cotton buds for fiddly areas

It can be a challenge to polish all the nooks and crannies of certain jewellery items (Nomination charm bracelets being a prime culprit). In this case, non-plastic cotton buds can allow you reach some of the more awkward areas.

6. Store it separately

Effective storage can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your jewellery in perfect condition. A jewellery box with small, padded compartments will prevent items from scraping, scratching and bumping into one another, and will also keep your collection out of direct sunlight and protected from dust.

Alternatively, you can store each piece of new jewellery in a fabric pouch or bags.

As well as keeping it in tip-top condition, keeping your jewellery organised and untangled will allow you to find the piece you’re looking for more quickly!

7. Different materials require different cleaning processes

It’s important to know exactly what you’re dealing with before starting to clean, as the incorrect technique or substances could cause undue harm to your precious jewellery.

We recommend using a specialist jewellery cleaner, such as those offered by Connoisseurs. We stock a variety of jewellery cleaning products at Joshua James, from all-purpose jewellery wipes to cleaning solutions specifically designed for use on precious stones.

Not sure what you should be using to clean your jewellery? Check out our ultimate guide to cleaning your jewellery for our expert advice and tips!


With 2020 upon us, why not make it your resolution to take extra special care of your new jewellery this year? Whether you’ve received a new charm for your bracelet, a precious gemstone ring or a pair of glamorous diamond earrings… keep all of your jewellery looking beautifully lustrous with the best jewellery cleaners & other care tips.

For a few more in-depth tips on how to look after some of your favourite brands, check out our other expert care guides…

how to care for Swarovski crystal
How to clean a Nomination bracelet with everyday ingredients
The ultimate jewellery cleaning guide
How to care for your engagement ring