How to Care for Fine Jewelry

Live in it — that's the point

Solid 14K gold, 18K gold, and platinum don't flake, fade, or turn. There is no plating to wear through, which is exactly why we refuse to plate. Daily wear will slowly develop a soft patina — platinum especially — and most of our clients come to love it. If you prefer the mirror finish, the care below keeps it bright.

In the collection: the whole collection in solid gold and platinum.

Last on, first off

The oldest rule in jewelry is still the best one. Put your pieces on after lotion, perfume, and hairspray have dried, and take them off before anything abrasive begins. The short list of moments to take a ring off:

• Pools and hot tubs — chlorine is the one common chemical that genuinely attacks gold alloys over time.
• Heavy lifting and gym sessions — bars and dumbbells can bend a band or loosen a setting through repeated pressure.
• Gardening, cleaning, and sand — household cleaners are harsh, and grit is an abrasive. Diamonds scratch everything else; quartz sand scratches gold.

Showering, washing hands, and ordinary daily life? Wear it. That's what solid metal is for.

Cleaning at home

You need three things: warm water, a few drops of mild dish soap, and a soft baby toothbrush. Soak the piece for twenty minutes, brush gently around the setting and under the stone — where skin oils collect and dull the sparkle from behind — rinse, and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Once every few weeks keeps a diamond noticeably brighter.

What to avoid: toothpaste, baking soda, and any "whitening" or abrasive cleaner (they scratch metal); bleach and chlorine-based products (they attack alloys); and home ultrasonic machines if your piece has pavé or halo work — the vibration can loosen small stones over time. When in doubt, soap and water is never wrong.

Storing it well

Diamonds scratch other jewelry — including other diamonds. Store pieces separately: the pouch or box your piece arrived in, a lined jewelry box with dividers, or individual soft pouches when traveling. Chains fasten before they're put away; it's the difference between a necklace and an evening of untangling.

Protecting your piece

Every Reai piece is meticulously inspected before it leaves our studio, and our warranty of craftsmanship means that if an issue ever arises from the making of the piece, we cover the repair. For care or repair inquiries, please reach out to our team at hello@reaifine.com. We would be happy to assist you in any way — and we'll tell you honestly whether it's a warranty matter and what to do next.

And because we say it to every client: insure the piece. We don't provide loss or theft coverage, and homeowner's policies often cap jewelry claims low. Third-party jewelry insurance is inexpensive against what it protects — and it's easiest to arrange the week the piece arrives, while the paperwork is in hand.