As gold and platinum are both commonly used interchangeably as settings diamonds and gemstones, the same basic need to consider what other jewellery you wear close by if you have a gold engagement ring, then you would want to choose a gold wedding ring to wear alongside it. Furthermore, for those who are contemplating the differences between white gold and platinum, the two precious metals are virtually indistinguishable your everyday jewelry to the stately pieces you only wear on special occasions, there’s a good chance all of your jewelry could use a good polish.

But rinsing and rubbing fragile jewelry too much can cause unnecessary damage and premature wear—and cleaning too little can cause your beloved pieces to degrade over time. To find out exactly how (and when) to clean your jewelry the right way, we tapped experts for their tried-and-true techniques on cleaning everything from gold and silver to costume jewelry and gemstones.

How often you clean your jewelry depends on how often it is worn, says Kathleen Plate, the founder of Smart Glass Jewelry. “Pieces that get dirtier more often, like earrings, can be cleaned as needed or bi-weekly, depending on how dirty they get,” says Andrew Brown, a celebrated diamond expert and CEO of WP Diamonds. Otherwise, you should aim to clean all of your jewelry at least once a month. Without routine cleanings, “the jewelry becomes darker, less colorful, loses its luster and sparkle—and ultimately it’s less hygienic,” he says.

While it can be an afterthought, removing jewelry before bed and showering can preserve the life of your pieces. “When we sleep, there is a tendency to toss and turn. And when we shower, our pieces come in contact with liquids and maybe abrasive materials, such as washcloths and loofahs,” says Beloti. “It’s possible that our jewelry can sometimes bear the brunt of that.” For that reason, she recommends removing jewelry before bed and showering to maintain their quality.