Jewelry Care

General care

Taking good care of vintage and antique jewelry will enhance its beauty and extend its lifespan. Have your jewelry checked and cleaned by us or by a trusted local jeweler every six months, to ensure each piece is wearable with all gemstones in place. Stones come loose over time; it is much easier to tighten a loose stone than replace a lost one.

Cleaning an engagement ring and band

Most engagement rings and wedding bands are durable enough to clean at home. Fill a small bowl with warm, soapy water and submerge the ring for 1–2 minutes. Using a small, soft brush, gently brush the stone and setting, paying special attention to the back and any details that collect grime. Rinse in the soapy water, or under a gentle stream of warm water only if your sink stopper has a tight seal. Dry with a soft jewelry cloth.

Cleaning vintage and antique jewelry

Most pieces suitable for everyday wear can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, then dried with a cloth. Rings need more frequent care. Exercise, gardening, cleaning, and outdoor recreation are hard on finger jewels. Harsh chemicals, heat, or extended submersion in water can be unhealthy for antique rings. Water, especially cold water, can loosen rings and shrink fingers slightly, causing a ring to slip off. If you take rings off at night, you will double their lifetime.

Softer stones such as opal, coral, pearls, and lapis should be cleaned dry — wipe them gently with a jewelry cloth. Closed-back and foil-backed jewelry, popular in the Georgian era, should not be exposed to water. Learn more about specific gemstones, or ask us — we have seen it all.

Watch care

Vintage and antique timepieces are examples of jewelry art, serviced prior to sale. Unless otherwise noted, the movement is in working order when the watch leaves us. Due to their delicate nature, there is no further warranty on the movement or mechanical parts.

Almost all of our timepieces have mechanical movements and require daily winding. Gently wind the crown in one direction until it comes to a natural stop, without forcing it. To set the time, gently pull the crown, then set clockwise. Vintage watches are not waterproof. Have them professionally cleaned every year or two. If a watch gains or loses more than a few minutes over 24 hours, contact us for service.