Father’s Day is right around the corner, with dads receiving well-deserved, and hopefully thoughtful, gifts. Popular gifts, such as watches and cufflinks, need to be cleaned and cared for in order to be enjoyed through the years. But jewelry care is probably not topic number one in most men’s lives, so here’s a quick rundown for the guys in your life.
Cleaning Watches
After regular wear, use a soft, slightly damp cloth or polishing cloth to wipe down the watch case and bracelet. For a more stubborn build-up of dirt and oils, use a gentle jewelry cleaning formula, but do not submerge the piece. You can either remove the band or dip it carefully in the cleaner, using a very soft jewelry brush in the hinges, being careful not to scratch the surface. For leather bands, wipe gently with a moistened cloth or use a leather cleaner. The case can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Fine watches should also be taken to a jeweler every three years for servicing.
Cleaning Cufflinks
To determine how to clean cufflinks, you need to know what materials they are made of. Sterling silver cufflinks can be cleaned with a silver jewelry cleaning formulation if they have become tarnished, or polished with a professional polishing cloth. Cufflinks made of gold, platinum or palladium, or those designed with hard gemstones like diamonds, can be cleaned in a fine jewelry cleaning formula and buffed with a professional polishing cloth. If your cufflinks contain softer gemstones, such as turquoise or amber, or are made of enamel, they should be cleaned with a gentle, non-ammoniated jewelry cleaning formula followed by a quick buff with a professional polishing cloth.
Cleaning Rings
The suggestions for cufflinks also hold true for rings. Know what materials are part of the design and choose your cleaning formulation appropriately. To keep your rings in good condition, especially that all-important wedding band, be sure to remove it when using harsh chemicals, swimming, exercising, or doing heavy lifting. It’s a good idea to have a box or location where you place your ring each time you remove it, so you don’t misplace it.
