Jewelry Care Guide

Caring for Your Fine Jewelry

Your jewelry is designed to be treasured for years to come. Proper care and maintenance will help preserve its brilliance, beauty, and longevity. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your Time Cart Jewels pieces looking their best.

Caring for Your Rings

Remove Jewelry During Certain Activities

To protect your jewelry from unnecessary wear or damage, we recommend removing your rings and fine jewelry during the following activities:

Sports & Exercise

Physical activities such as weightlifting, tennis, gym workouts, and other sports may place excessive pressure on your jewelry. Impact from equipment or repetitive movements can loosen settings, scratch metal surfaces, or damage gemstones.

Gardening & Outdoor Work

Gardening, landscaping, and heavy outdoor tasks can expose jewelry to dirt, hard surfaces, and tools that may chip stones or damage delicate settings.

Household Cleaning

Cleaning products often contain chemicals that may affect the finish and appearance of precious metals and gemstones. Remove jewelry before washing dishes, cleaning, or handling household chemicals.

For personalized photo jewelry, we recommend removing the piece before washing your hands or exposing it to water frequently.

Store Jewelry Safely

Whenever you remove your jewelry, place it in a secure and memorable location.

For best protection:

• Store pieces individually to prevent scratching.

• Use a soft-lined jewelry box or pouch.

• Keep jewelry away from direct sunlight, excessive humidity, and extreme temperatures.

• Avoid storing multiple pieces together where they may rub against one another.

Avoid Contact with Beauty Products

Lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, hairsprays, and sunscreen can leave residue on jewelry and reduce its sparkle over time.

To maintain maximum brilliance:

• Apply beauty products before putting on jewelry.

• Allow products to fully absorb or dry before wearing your pieces.

• Wipe jewelry gently after wear to remove any residue.

Schedule Regular Professional Inspections

We recommend having your jewelry professionally inspected every six to twelve months.

Regular inspections help ensure:

• Stones remain securely set.

• Prongs are intact and undamaged.

• Clasps and closures function properly.

• Early signs of wear can be addressed before repairs become necessary.

Swimming & Water Exposure

Avoid Wearing Jewelry in the Ocean

Cold water can cause fingers to shrink slightly, increasing the risk of rings slipping off unnoticed. Saltwater may also contribute to wear over time.

Avoid Swimming Pools & Spas

Chlorine and other chemicals commonly found in pools and hot tubs may react with precious metals, potentially causing discoloration, weakening metal structures, or damaging finishes.

Always remove jewelry before entering swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, or natural bodies of water.

Remove Jewelry Before Bathing

Soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body care products can create a film on jewelry surfaces, reducing shine and brilliance.

Removing jewelry before showering or bathing helps minimize buildup and reduces the need for frequent cleaning.

Be Mindful in the Kitchen

Cooking ingredients such as dough, oils, flour, and food residues can accumulate on jewelry and diminish its appearance.

To preserve your jewelry's sparkle, remove rings and bracelets when preparing food or handling greasy ingredients.

Sterling Silver Jewelry Care

Sterling silver is a precious metal that requires regular care to maintain its natural beauty.

Cleaning Sterling Silver

• Use a soft, lint-free 100% cotton cloth or flannel cloth.

• Gently polish the surface to remove fingerprints, oils, and residue.

• For intricate areas, use a very soft-bristled brush, such as a baby toothbrush.

Avoid

• Paper towels

• Tissues

• Rough fabrics

• Abrasive cleaners

• Harsh polishing compounds

These materials may create microscopic scratches on the silver surface.

Tarnish Prevention

Silver naturally tarnishes when exposed to air and moisture.

To help prevent tarnishing:

• Store jewelry in a sealed jewelry box or zip-lock bag.

• Keep pieces dry when not in use.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity and direct sunlight.

Important: We do not recommend using silver dip solutions, as they may create microscopic surface damage and accelerate future tarnishing.

Rhodium-Plated Silver Jewelry Care

Rhodium plating enhances the brilliance and durability of silver jewelry. Proper care helps preserve this protective finish.

Cleaning Rhodium-Plated Jewelry

• Clean with lukewarm water and a mild liquid soap.

• Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

• Dry immediately using a soft polishing cloth to prevent water spots or mineral residue.

Do Not Use

• Toothpaste

• Abrasive cleaning products

• Silver dip cleaners

• Ultrasonic cleaners

• Ammonia-based solutions

• Hard-bristle brushes

• Silver polishing cloths intended for uncoated silver

These products may damage or remove the rhodium finish.

Additional Care Recommendations

• Put jewelry on last when getting dressed and remove it first when undressing.

• Avoid exposing jewelry to chemicals, perfumes, chlorine, and household cleaners.

• Travel with jewelry in protective pouches or cases.

• Have valuable pieces professionally cleaned and inspected periodically.

With proper care and maintenance, your Time Cart Jewels jewelry will continue to shine beautifully and remain a treasured part of your collection for years to come.