Jewellery Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making -and How to Fix Them

No matter how much you love your jewellery and how often you wear your favourite pieces, it’s easy to fall into bad habits when it comes to wearing and caring for jewellery. From not storing delicate chains properly to accidentally damaging diamond rings when cleaning them, seemingly innocent mistakes can add up and cause serious wear and tear — or even permanent damage.

The good news is that these common jewellery mistakes are easy to avoid when you know about them. So here are six of the most frequent jewellery mistakes people make, along with expert tips on how to fix them. Take our advice and your jewellery will stay looking as beautiful as the day you got it.

1. Wearing jewellery in water

You might think water is harmless, but over time, it can damage some metals and loosen jewellery settings. Chlorine in swimming pools can be particularly hard on certain metals and even cause setting to become loose, possibly putting your diamond at risk.

Fix: Always take your jewellery off before showering or swimming — even the pieces you wear every day.

2. Letting delicate pieces get tangled

If you’ve ever spent 30 minutes trying to detangle an impossible knot tying together three chains, you’ll know how frustrating this can be. Tangling doesn’t just cause headaches — it can quickly lead to scratches, damage, or even completely broken chains.

Fix: Use a soft-lined jewellery organiser with separate compartments or hanging spaces for individual chains.

3. Not cleaning your jewellery properly

Sometimes jewellery can lose its sparkle due to built-up residue. Hand cream, washing up liquid, makeup, and even natural skin oils can all cause this.

Fix: Gently clean your jewellery with specialist products, such as the Connoisseurs range which is available on Amazon. If your jewellery hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, take it to a professional cleaner for a deep polish.

4. Wearing the same pieces every day

It’s easy to fall into a routine and wear the same pieces of jewellery every day — especially if someone special gave them to you. But constantly wearing the same necklace, bracelet, or set of earrings can speed up wear and tear.

Fix: Rotate your favorite pieces often so you can give them a break. Your jewellery will last longer and you’ll get to experiment with new styles.

5. Ignoring storage recommendations

You might be surprised to know that precious metals can react badly to too much heat, sunlight, and humidity. Leaving your best jewellery on the windowsill, in a steamy bathroom, or just above a radiator can cause jewellery to fade, weaken, or warp.

Fix: Keep your jewellery in a cool, dry place — ideally in its original box or a lined jewellery organiser.

6. Avoiding regular check-ups

Check-ups aren’t just good for your health — they’re good for your jewellery, too. Ring settings can become loose over time, increasing the chance of losing a stone. Soft metals can also become scratched, making them look dull and older than they really are.

Fix: Visit a professional jewellery cleaner at least once every year to keep your most treasured pieces safe and sparkling.

To keep your jewellery looking its best, you need to take proper care of it. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll get longer out of your favourite pieces and they’ll stay as sparkling as the day you got them.