Many of our clients tell us that they never even considered their luxury jewelry as an asset. They’ve had untapped cash at their fingertips for years without even knowing it. That’s why even if borrowing against your luxury jewelry is the last thing on your mind right now, we recommend caring for it to maximize its value.

We’ve said it many times, assets like luxury jewelry are an incredible financial safety net. No other loan allows you to get an instant cash payment easily and confidentially, with no credit checks. The value of gold is rising right now, and it’s worth more than you may realize. In fact, Qollateral boasts the highest loan value in the industry for borrowing against gold.

It’s always a good idea to protect any investment, even if you’re not thinking about it as an investment at the outset. We consider it an investment, having seen just how many clients have been able to turn their situation around with the help of an asset loan to pay their kids’ college tuition, to make payroll when business funds are otherwise tied up, even to uphold the tradition of going on their annual family vacation despite cash being tight.

Here’s how to care for your gold jewelry to maximize its value should you ever decide to get a collateral loan.

Wipe your gold jewelry down with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing. Dust and debris accumulates whether we can see it or not. Daily wiping prevents having to do a deeper clean, which is inevitably a more abrasive process that can lead to wear. Just don’t use tissues or paper towels. Even when they feel soft to the touch, they can scratch your luxury jewelry.

Take it off while doing any manual activities. We also recommend removing before showering, as this can lead to product buildup. Reminder: always remove your luxury jewelry away from the sink, and have a designated safe spot for quick storage, otherwise the rest of these tips may no longer apply!

Store your luxury jewelry flat in a covered, protective box with a soft, smooth lining. Gold luxury watches or heavy gold bracelets should be clasped around a cushion, as this prevents scratches from the bracelet or watch rubbing against itself. You can choose to store your gold luxury watch in its original box, as it is specifically designed to keep the watch protected, but be aware that this may contribute to the box’s wear and tear. Your luxury watch’s original packaging does count in its resale or loan value. You can find more tips to maximize your luxury watch’s value here.

Never swim with your luxury jewelry in a chlorinated pool. Chlorine is not a danger to gold itself, but it does weaken other precious metals that may be present as alloys in your gold jewelry. Best to play it safe.

Take it in for regular maintenance. For a gold piece that gets a lot of use, a good rule of thumb is yearly maintenance. For lesser used gold pieces, you can go up to 5 years. The objective of regular maintenance is not just cleaning and making it shine, but also inspecting the jewelry carefully and making any minor repairs that might have turned into a major repair. For example, sometimes very delicate gold chains will have a link that is just starting to twist open, and it can be very difficult to see due the size. Another example is that the prongs holding a diamond or gemstone may be loose without any visible signs, and you can risk losing it.

If you can do these 5 things, you’ll be golden (sorry, we had to). None of these habits are time-consuming or difficult, so there’s really nothing to lose in putting a little extra effort into caring for your luxury gold jewelry. After a while, it becomes second nature.

If you would like to get an idea of how much your luxury jewelry is worth, or if you are interested in borrowing against your gold jewelry or selling your gold jewelry, please book an appointment here. There’s never any pressure, it’s quick and confidential, and our team would be happy to serve you.