Jewelry Care
Each Athena piece is crafted with intention to last a lifetime. Proper care ensures your jewelry continues to shine brilliantly through every meaningful moment.
General Jewelry Care
Your jewelry is more than an accessory, it's a reflection of your style and a keeper of your memories. With proper care, your pieces will maintain their brilliance and beauty for years to come. Follow these essential care tips to keep your jewelry looking as stunning as the day you received it.
- Avoid Moisture: Remove jewelry before swimming, showering, exercising, or doing household chores. Water and sweat can cause oxidation, tarnishing, and damage to plated finishes. Even brief exposure to moisture can dull the shine of your pieces.
- Clean Gently: Wipe your jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth after each wear to remove oils, dirt, and residue. For sterling silver, moissanite, and cubic zirconia pieces, you can use lukewarm water with mild soap and a soft brush for deeper cleaning. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately. For gold plated and platinum plated jewelry, only use a soft, damp cloth and avoid soaking or scrubbing. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on any jewelry.
- Store Properly: Keep each piece in individual pouches or soft bags inside your jewelry box to prevent oxidation, tangling, and scratching. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, humidity, and air exposure. For necklaces and bracelets, fasten clasps before storing to prevent knots.
- Handle With Care: Always put jewelry on last after applying cosmetics, perfumes, hairspray, and lotions. Remove jewelry first when undressing to minimize exposure to damaging products. Avoid contact with household cleaners, chlorine, and harsh chemicals that can erode finishes and discolor metals.
- Regular Inspection: Check your jewelry regularly for loose stones, worn clasps, or damaged chains. Address any issues immediately to prevent loss or further damage. For valuable pieces, consider professional inspection annually to ensure settings remain secure.
Jewelry Care by Material
Gold Plated & White Gold-Plated
Handle gently as plating can wear over time. Clean only with a soft, damp cloth and never use jewelry cleaners or polishing cloths. Apply cosmetics and perfumes before putting on jewelry. Remove before water exposure. Store in individual pouches in a dry place.
925 Sterling Silver
Polish regularly with a silver polishing cloth to prevent tarnishing. Store in anti-tarnish pouches. Clean with silver cleaning solution or mild soap and water, then dry immediately. Wearing silver often helps prevent tarnish. Avoid chlorine and harsh chemicals.
Moissanite
Clean regularly with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Focus on cleaning behind the stone where oils accumulate. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth. Highly durable and ideal for everyday wear.
Cubic Zirconia
Clean frequently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush as these stones attract oils. Scrub gently around the stone, rinse and dry completely. Avoid harsh chemicals. Do not use ultrasonic cleaners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my jewelry?
Wipe your jewelry with a soft cloth after each wear to remove oils and residue. Deep clean your pieces every 1-2 weeks for items worn daily, or monthly for occasional-wear jewelry. If you notice diminished sparkle, it's time for a cleaning.
Can I wear my jewelry in the shower or while swimming?
No, we recommend removing all jewelry before showering, swimming, or bathing. Water, soaps, shampoos, and especially chlorine and salt water can damage both the metal and stones. Moisture can also get trapped in settings, leading to tarnish and deterioration over time.
Will my gold or white gold-plated jewelry tarnish?
Plated jewelry doesn't tarnish in the traditional sense, but the thin plating layer can wear away with time and friction, revealing the base metal underneath. Proper care by avoiding water, chemicals, and friction will help preserve the plating as long as possible.
My sterling silver has turned black. Is it ruined?
No! Sterling silver naturally tarnishes, and this is completely reversible. Use a silver polishing cloth or silver cleaning solution to restore its shine. Regular wear and proper storage will help prevent heavy tarnishing.
Are moissanite and cubic zirconia stones real?
Yes, both are real stones, though they're lab-created rather than mined. Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide and is nearly as hard as diamond with more brilliance. Cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide. Both are genuine gemstones that offer beautiful, durable alternatives to mined stones.
What should I do if a stone becomes loose?
Stop wearing the piece immediately to prevent losing the stone. Contact a professional jeweler as soon as possible to have it secured. Continuing to wear jewelry with loose stones almost always results in lost stones.
How should I store my jewelry when traveling?
Use a travel jewelry case with separate compartments to keep pieces from tangling or scratching each other. Wrap delicate items in soft cloth. Keep your jewelry in your carry-on luggage rather than checked bags, and consider leaving your most valuable pieces at home in a safe place.
Can I use toothpaste to clean my jewelry?
No, this is a common myth that can actually damage your jewelry. Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch metals and stones. Stick to mild soap, warm water, and soft cloths or brushes for safe, effective cleaning.
