How to Care for Antique and Vintage Jewelry

Antique jewelry — pieces made before 1930 — requires different care than modern jewelry. The metals are often softer, the settings more delicate, and the stones may be held in ways that modern ultrasonic cleaners can damage.

Here are the rules we follow at Facets:

Clean gently. Use a soft toothbrush, lukewarm water, and a drop of mild dish soap. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, and jewelry dips — these can loosen old settings and damage certain stones like pearls, opals, and emeralds.

Store carefully. Keep antique pieces in individual soft pouches or compartments. Diamonds will scratch softer stones if stored together.

Have it checked annually. Old prongs wear down. Old clasps weaken. A quick once-over by a bench jeweler once a year catches problems before they become losses.

Don't resize without asking first. Antique shanks are often thinner than modern rings. Sizing them requires a different technique to preserve the original metalwork.

We specialize in antique and estate jewelry repair at Facets. If you have a piece that needs attention, bring it in or send it to us.