Summer Jewelry Care: How to Keep Your Designs Sparkling
At Elaine B Jewelry, our designs are meant to become a part of your everyday life - whether you’re sipping your morning coffee, relaxing poolside, whipping up something in the kitchen, or even summer adventuring with your friends and family. You can count on our designs to keep up with you. But, even with high quality materials and handcrafted designs, your jewelry still deserves a little TLC.
Here are some simple, tried-and-true ways to care for your jewelry - especially gold, diamonds, opals, sapphires, pearls, and other stones featured in our collections. These simple tips will help you keep your jewelry luminous all summer long.
xo Elaine
Everyday Maintenance: Less Is More
A gentle approach goes a long way. For day-to-day care, we recommend:
-Wiping with a soft cloth to remove oils, sweat, and any buildup from skin or products. A microfiber or jewelry polishing cloth works best.
-Storing jewelry separately - especially delicate stones like opals, pearls and semi precious stones, to prevent scratches or chips.
-Taking off jewelry during high-impact activities like weightlifting or rock climbing. (Your jewelry is strong - but you’re probably stronger!)
Cleaning Gold, Diamonds and Sapphires: Shine Made Easy
Our 14k gold is a solid, high quality material that is made to last and won’t tarnish - but it still benefits from a good clean every now and then. The same goes for fine jewelry and diamonds, which can lose brilliance as they collect oil and debris.
To clean gold, diamonds and sapphires:
-Soak in warm water with a drop of gentle dish soap.
-Use a soft toothbrush to clean crevices.
-Rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
-Shop our foaming jewelry cleaner for an easy way to safely clean your jewelry.
-Bring your Elaine B Jewelry designs into one of our locations for a cleaning free of charge.
Avoid harsh cleaners, bleach, or ultrasonic cleaners at home - these can damage settings or loosen stones if not used correctly.
Special Stones Need Special Love: Opals, Pearls & Semi Precious Stones
Not all stones are created equal. Some, like diamonds and sapphires, are incredibly durable, while others - like opals and pearls - require more mindful care. Soft stones bring a dreamy, natural elegance to your jewelry collection. But they also need extra love to stay looking their best.
-Opals are loved for their magical, milky glow and otherworldly sparkle, but they are porous and softer than other gemstones. Avoid exposing them to extreme heat, water saturation, or strong chemicals. Gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth instead of soaking.
-Pearls are especially sensitive to acids, perfumes, and even sweat. They should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Wipe gently with a soft cloth after wearing and store separately in a soft pouch to avoid scratching.
-Semi precious stones (most birthstones) are relatively durable but can be prone to scratches. Avoid knocks or sharp contact and clean them with warm water and mild soap - no harsh scrubbing.
In short: treat these beauties gently, and they'll stay glowing for years to come.
What does “Water Proof Jewelry" really mean?
We’re often asked: “Can I wear my Elaine B Jewelry in water?” The answer: Yes!
All of our designs are handcrafted from solid gold or other high-quality metals and materials that are waterproof and built for real life. That means you can swim, shower, and sweat without worry. Just remember: while water won’t harm your jewelry, soaps, lotions, and chlorine can dull the shine and years of wear can loosen settings over time. When in doubt, rinse with clean water and dry gently.
Quick Care Tips for Travel and Summer:
-Pack your jewelry in individual pouches to avoid tangling or scratching. We love a travel jewelry case to make it easy!
-Clean your jewelry safely at home before or after your trip.
-Sunscreen, sweat, and sand can all build up on stones - rinse your jewelry after long days outside to keep it sparkling.
Designed to Live with You
At Elaine B Jewelry, we believe your jewelry should move with you - through every season, every stage, every memory. That’s why we make it easy to wear and care for, using quality materials like 14k gold, responsibly sourced metals and stones. With just a few mindful habits, you’ll keep your jewelry shining just as brightly as the moments they help you celebrate.
Want to learn more about how we make your jewelry or need help with a repair or polish? Read more about jewelry care, or stop by one of our locations - we’d love to see you.
View Custom Gallery here.
View Wedding and Engagement here.