Because your ethical origin jewelry item is so precious, it deserves your full care and regular attention. Basic care will help preserve and protect your jewelry for years to come.
18K white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium to provide a bright white finish. With daily wear, or exposure to household chemicals, rhodium plating gradually will come off over time and expose the natural, yellowish-white tone of metal underneath. Many people continue to wear white gold long after the rhodium plating has worn off, but you also have the option of having your jewelry professionally re-plated to return it to its bright white color. Please contact Brilliant Earth for assistance with rhodium plating.
We also offer a select number of products with black rhodium plating. Black rhodium will also wear over time and regular refinishing is recommended.
Meteorite is an iron based material that does best with a little extra care. Our jewelers have applied a protective layer over the meteorite material in order to protect it from moisture. However, overtime due to natural wear and tear, that protective layer can wear away. Therefore, we suggest treating your meteorite ring with extra care and attention:
To help prevent rusting, we recommend waxing or oiling your meteorite ring on a regular basis. If you do notice rusting, you can try one of the cleaning methods below:
Cleaning Method 1: Soak the Ring in AlcoholTo clean tantalum jewelry, dampen a soft cloth with warm water and detergent-free soap and rub gently. When not wearing, store in a soft cloth bag or ring box to protect from elements of daily exposure.
Remove during activities that may subject your Titanium piece to abrasions or hard knocks. To clean:
With daily wear, platinum sustains small scratches more easily than other metals, and may start to take on a matte appearance. Many people enjoy the visual appeal of this unique luster but you may also have the platinum surface professionally repolished to return a more reflective polish.
Sterling silver may tarnish or dull as a result of exposure to humidity. When possible, keep your silver in an air-tight container. To remove tarnish and keep your silver bright, gently rub the piece with a silver jewelry cleaning cloth. Then rinse the silver thoroughly in warm water and dry it carefully. More extensive tarnish can be removed with liquid silver cleaner or by a jeweler. Please note: chlorine and bleach accelerate tarnishing and should be avoided.
To care properly for your vermeil pieces, remove vermeil jewelry before: showering or swimming in chlorine or salt water, participating in activities that will cause you to sweat, and before bringing into contact with anything hard. It is always best to remove vermeil jewelry before applying makeup, lotion, perfume, (or hand sanitizer). Store it where it won't rub against other hard surfaces. To clean, gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth. Please note that at this time Brilliant Earth is unable to repair vermeil jewelry.
Enamel should not come in contact with temperatures higher than 122 degrees Fahrenheit or exposed to strong chemicals (acids, amines, mercaptans, and bases). Minor scratches in the enamel can be repolished.
Emeralds require special care and should be handled and worn gently. We recommend you remove your emerald ring while using soap, such as while in the shower or washing dishes. Do not clean the ring in ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or acetone and avoid strong soaps, jewelry cleaner, or other cleaners. It is best to avoid wearing your emerald ring next to other rings or during activities where you might be gripping hard objects, bumping the ring against other objects, or putting pressure on your hands. These activities might include weight lifting, rock climbing, cooking, biking, and yoga. To clean your emerald, use room temperature running water, mild hand soap, and a soft toothbrush. Brush repeatedly on the underside of the emerald to remove dirt and grease. Finish by drying the ring with a soft cotton cloth. With proper care your emerald will retain its natural beauty for many years to come.
Examine your jewelry regularly to ensure your settings are secure. Timeworn prongs are especially vulnerable, and may become loose when snagged or hit against a surface. Loose prongs may result in loose gemstones, or may cause the loss of a gemstone. Professional inspections are recommended every six months and immediately after any time your jewelry is damaged, hit, or scratched in an unusual way, to ensure that all gemstones are secure and that the structure of the ring is intact.
Pavé setting styles are very delicate and and require proper care to support longevity. To minimize the risk of losing a pavé-set gemstone, do not wear jewelry in conditions where friction or abrasion may wear down the beads of metal, which hold the stones in place. Avoid applying strong pressure or scratching pavé settings. Inspect pavé set jewelry at least every six months and immediately after jewelry is hit, scratched, or damaged to identify loose stones. If pavé-set gemstones are lost, they can be replaced for a fee. This service is complimentary with the purchase of a Brilliant Earth Extended Service Plan.
We strongly recommend that all fine jewelry be covered by a comprehensive insurance policy to protect against theft, loss, and potential damage that can occur through daily wear. Jewelry can be added to many homeowner or rental insurance policies or insured through a standalone policy through companies like Lavalier.
Protect your jewelry from impact against hard surfaces during sports or manual tasks—even diamonds can chip if hit with enough force or at just the right angle. Avoid contact with abrasive surfaces and keep your jewelry away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and household bleach. Limit your jewelry’s exposure to extreme temperatures, perfumes, cosmetics and household chemicals, which can damage jewelry. Do not wear rings when gripping items with force, such as bicycle handlebars or weights, as the pressure may cause delicate metal rings to bend or break. Similarly, avoid applying strong pressure to jewelry or to hands when jewelry is worn.
Air pollution, dirt, and daily wear can dull the surface of your jewelry and cloud the brilliance of a gemstone. Professional cleanings are recommended as frequently as once a year, depending on how often you wear your jewelry. Between professional cleanings, you may use Brilliant Earth’s gem & jewelry cleaner to clean your diamond and sapphire jewelry. Alternatively, use a mild solution of six parts water to one part ammonia and apply with a soft bristle brush. Carefully rinse with lukewarm water and dry with a soft cloth. Ultrasonic cleaning at home is not recommended for cleaning your Brilliant Earth jewelry, and can loosen the gems set in your jewelry. Pearl and emerald jewelry require special care and should not be cleaned with the cleaning methods described for diamond and sapphires above. Pearls and emeralds can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution and then allowed to dry. Dry pearls may be wiped with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Our vintage style jewelry collection contains one-of-a-kind, original pieces from past eras. For that reason, we recommend special caution when wearing antique fine jewelry. Avoid wearing your antique fine jewelry when engaging in any strenuous activity, when around any harsh chemicals, or in the shower. Some antique rings can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush, but some older pieces should not be submerged in water. Please contact us with any questions on care for your particular piece. As with all fine jewelry, we recommend getting your antique piece professionally inspected every six months, or after it sustains any damage.
