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Most jewellery damage doesn't occur in a moment of drama; it quietly accumulates through ordinary, everyday activities. Internal Q Report claims data for 2024 show that around 52% of claims related to accidental damage, far surpassing incidents of loss or theft. These subtle incidents include bent claws, tiny scratches, or weakened clasps, issues you might overlook until a stone suddenly goes missing or a chain breaks unexpectedly.
For jewellery owners, understanding and managing these day-to-day risks is essential. Jewellery is typically worn and enjoyed, not locked away, yet regular wear brings risks that can go unnoticed until they become costly.
Together, we'll explore practical strategies to keep your favourite pieces safe during everyday use and discover how the right jewellery insurance provides adequate support if something unforeseen does occur. Because when life inevitably happens, your jewellery deserves to be ready for it.
Let's dive into how everyday routines affect your jewellery and how you can reduce the impact.
Regular cleaning seems harmless, but common household chemicals can silently erode your jewellery's brilliance. Bleach and ammonia, often found in cleaning products, can dull gold and severely damage gemstones. Even tasks like gardening or rearranging furniture expose jewellery to physical stress, causing scratches or weakened settings.
Have you ever snagged your necklace on gym equipment or felt your ring pinch while lifting weights? Vigorous activities put strain on delicate metal claws and clasps, increasing the risk of stones loosening or jewellery bending out of shape. Sports involving repetitive motions—such as tennis or golf—can repeatedly stress your rings or bracelets, making damage more likely.
Jewellery can still be exposed to wear even when you’re asleep. The friction caused by tossing and turning at night wears down delicate chains and claws. Earrings can catch on pillows or bedding, causing them to bend or break.
It's not just your activities; your environment contributes significantly to jewellery wear.
Chlorine from pools, salt from ocean water, and even minerals found in hard tap water can degrade jewellery over time. Chlorine, in particular, can cause pitting in gold and platinum settings, weakening the structure of your rings or bracelets. Similarly, frequent exposure to saltwater accelerates tarnishing, particularly in sterling silver.
Jewellery expands slightly when heated and contracts when cooled. Frequent exposure to temperature swings—like taking jewellery from warm indoor air to freezing outdoor conditions—puts ongoing stress on metals and settings, potentially leading to microscopic cracks that can grow over time.
Consider limiting prolonged exposure to chlorinated pools and seawater.
Minimise sudden and frequent temperature changes.
Cleaning with household chemicals
Gardening and moving furniture
Gym workouts and repetitive sports
Sleeping with jewellery on
Exposure to chlorine, saltwater, and hard water
Frequent temperature fluctuations
Now that you know how everyday activities and environmental factors contribute to jewellery damage, let's explore practical steps to reduce these risks.
Jewellery care is all about small, consistent habits that add up to long-term preservation. Knowing when to remove your pieces and how to care for them between wears can dramatically reduce your chances of damage without sacrificing wear.
The most effective way to protect your jewellery is often the simplest: take it off. Certain moments in your day are higher risk than others.
During cleaning or gardening (exposure to chemicals or rough surfaces)
Before swimming (chlorine and saltwater degrade metal and stones)
At the gym or while playing sports (sweat, friction, impact)
These few seconds of removal can prevent years of wear and potentially a costly repair or claim down the road.
Keep a soft pouch or zippered case on you for safekeeping.
When heading to the gym or beach, use a travel-sized jewellery roll or silicone ring holder.
If staying at a hotel, use the room safe for temporary storage.
Removing jewellery doesn't mean risking it elsewhere. Proper storage habits keep your pieces safeguarded when not in use.
Even the most durable jewellery needs routine check-ups. Over time, wear weakens structural components like clasps, claws, and chains, especially in frequently worn pieces.
Claws: Are they straight and snug over the stone?
Clasps: Do they close securely and feel tight?
Chains and links: Are there signs of thinning, kinks, or stretching?
Stones feel loose or spin in their setting
The piece catches on clothing or hair
Discolouration, cloudiness, or new surface dullness appears
Addressing these issues early can prevent major repairs or unexpected loss.
Next, we'll uncover why cleaning methods matter and how to avoid accidental damage while polishing your favourite pieces.
Caring for your jewellery at home doesn't need to be complex, but it does need to be thoughtful. The wrong technique can dull a gemstone or weaken a setting, while the right one can restore brilliance without causing harm. Watch this video for a simple explanation about Jewellery Cleaning The Simple Way with Rami Baron
Gold is soft, so it's especially vulnerable to scratches, chemical corrosion, and loss of shine if cleaned improperly. A basic, gentle routine often works best.
Fill a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap (avoid harsh detergents).
Soak the jewellery for 15–20 minutes to loosen dirt and oil.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub around claws and intricate details.
Rinse with clean, lukewarm water.
Pat dry with a lint-free cloth and let air dry thoroughly before storing.
Toothpaste (too abrasive)
Bleach or chlorine-based cleaners (can corrode metal)
Paper towels or tissues (may scratch surfaces)
This routine works well for most gold pieces, but always test on a small area first if you're unsure.
Keen to learn more? Check out our blog, Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Gold Jewellery.
Ultrasonic cleaners are popular for their speed and shine, but they're not suitable for every piece.
They use high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles that lift dirt from crevices and hard-to-reach areas. This process is especially effective for plain metal bands or durable stones like diamonds and sapphires.
Usually Safe for: Hard gemstones (diamond, sapphire, ruby) and plain gold or platinum pieces
Avoid using them on: Pearls, opals, emeralds, tanzanite, or vintage jewellery with glue-set stones or delicate enamel
If you're unsure whether your jewellery is suitable, consult your jeweller before using an ultrasonic cleaner.
For a deeper dive, read The Ultimate Guide to Using an Ultrasonic Jewellery Cleaner.
Next, let's look at how your insurance plays a role when damage happens—and what steps help you claim successfully.
Jewellery isn't immune to damage, especially when worn frequently. From chipped gemstones to snapped chains, these incidents are more common than most people realise. The right insurance can make all the difference in how they're resolved.
Specialist insurance for jewellery covers scenarios that traditional home and contents policies could sometimes miss.
Chipped or scratched gemstones from accidental knocks
Broken chains or snapped clasps
Bent claws or loose settings after impact
Water damage – provided the item was not knowingly exposed to conditions excluded by the policy (e.g., harsh chemicals).
Document the damage: Take clear photos and note when and how the incident occurred.
Contact your insurer: Most providers have a streamlined claims process.
Submit supporting documents: These often include your valuation certificate, purchase receipt, and images of the damaged item, but your claims consultant can walk you through any documentation you may need.
Choose your jeweller: Specialist insurers like Q Report allow you to return to your preferred jeweller for repairs.
Claim review and approval: Once approved, your jeweller should be able to complete the work on your jewellery.
When you're insured for how you actually wear your jewellery—not just how it's stored—claims usually become less complicated and more accurate.
Some home or travel policies offer limited cover on jewellery and may exclude certain accidental-damage events unless additional cover is purchased.
Accidental damage can be excluded unless specified or added as an optional extra.
Sub-limits apply: Even if covered, you could be capped on how much you can claim unless the item is separately listed, typically between $1,000 and $5,000.
Depreciation may apply, reducing the payout or replacement amount below the item's current replacement cost.
Jewellery claims may be capped below the market value of your item (e.g., $750–$1,500).
Some travel policies exclude luxury jewellery and watches altogether.
Mysterious disappearances (where no theft is proven) may also not be covered.
For more on policy differences, explore Why Does Home Insurance Fail With Jewellery?
Up next, we'll look at how to make sure your jewellery is valued adequately for insurance, so you're never underinsured.
Insurance can only work effectively if the item's value is established correctly. An outdated or informal valuation could mean the difference between a smooth claim and an unexpected shortfall, especially when precious metals or gemstones fluctuate in price.
Jewellery should be valued for what it would cost to replace today for replacement policies, not what was paid originally. Retail pricing, material costs, and craftsmanship all affect the replacement cost.
Ensures correct coverage: An undervalued item might not be able to be adequately replaced after loss or damage.
Speeds up claims: With current documentation on file, there's less friction during the claim process.
Reflects appreciation: Some pieces—especially antique or designer jewellery—can increase in value over time.
Outdated valuations could reduce a claim payment, meaning you could need to contribute the difference.
A reliable jewellery valuation should come from a qualified, independent professional—ideally a member of a recognised Australian industry body such as the National Council of Jewellery Valuers (NCJV).
Some specialist providers, including Q Report, offer complimentary annual revaluation updates as part of their policy, helping your coverage keep up with market movement.
Learn more about valuation best practices in Getting the Value of Your Jewellery Right
When evaluating insurance for jewellery in Australia, look for policy features that reflect everyday wear and current retail replacement values.
Replacement policy meaning there is coverage for like-for-like replacement or repair, putting you back where you were prior to the loss.
Low, fixed $100 excess when making a claim
These features may be important for someone looking to insure jewellery they wear regularly, not just store in a safe.
Whether insuring jewellery for the first time or reviewing your current policy, it pays to read beyond the headline and ask how your insurer handles wear, damage, and loss in everyday scenarios.
Yes, but only under certain conditions. Most home insurance policies have sub-limits for jewellery—often between $1,000 and $5,000—unless the item is separately listed. You'll also need to meet evidence requirements, and claims for mysterious disappearance or accidental loss may be excluded.
Usually with limitations. Some travel insurance policies place strict caps on jewellery claims and may exclude high-value items entirely. Coverage sometimes only applies if the jewellery was stored securely, not worn or carried. For international cover, it may be worth investigating specialist jewellery insurance.
Jewellery insurance provides item-specific cover for loss, theft, accidental damage, and sometimes mysterious disappearance. With specialist insurers, policies are designed to cover for like-for-like replacement or repair and allow you to choose your jeweller for repairs or replacement. Claims are typically processed faster and with fewer limitations than general contents insurance.
They can, depending on the piece. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe for solid gold, platinum, and diamonds. However, they may loosen claws or damage soft gemstones like opals, emeralds, or pearls. Always check with your jeweller before using one for your pieces.
Use a mild dish soap mixed with warm water and soak the item for 15–20 minutes. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, bleach, or toothpaste, which can scratch gold and loosen stones.
Jewellery is more than sentimental—it's part of how you live, work, celebrate, and unwind. But wear and tear doesn't wait for big moments. It happens quietly: a knock at the gym, a clasp loosened overnight, a chemical reaction during cleaning.
The good news? Most damage can be avoided with a few thoughtful habits: Take pieces off when needed, clean them gently, and have them checked regularly. And when the unexpected does happen, having specialist insurance for jewellery ensures you're prepared with cover that reflects how you actually wear it.
Get your indicative quote today and find cover that fits your lifestyle—without compromise.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
Don't have the receipt?
If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.
