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What is the difference between jewelry cleaning and polishing?
Cleaning removes dirt and buildup, while polishing removes scratches and restores shine.
Cleaning — also called a "quick clean" — uses an industrial ultrasonic machine and high-pressure steam to remove dirt and oils from your jewelry. At Smith's Jewelers in Noblesville, this is a complimentary service that takes just a few minutes. You can stop in any time — no appointment needed for a quick jewelry cleaning.
Polishing is a more detailed process. Using buffing wheels and specialized rouge compounds, a jeweler removes fine scratches and surface wear to restore the piece to a like-new appearance. It's common to hear customers say it looks exactly like the day they bought it.
What is rhodium plating and how long does it last?
Rhodium plating gives white gold its bright white finish, but wears off over time and needs to be reapplied.
White gold is naturally a slightly yellow color, so after polishing it's coated in rhodium — a bright, platinum-group metal — to achieve that crisp white finish you expect. Over time, this coating fades through daily wear.
We recommend having your white gold jewelry polished and rhodium plated once every six to eight months to keep it looking its best. It's one of the most impactful jewelry maintenance services you can schedule at Smith's Jewelers in Noblesville.
What is the difference between white gold and yellow gold?
The main difference is color and alloy composition — all gold starts out yellow.
Gold comes out of the earth a rich yellow color — white gold is yellow gold that has been alloyed with white metals like silver, palladium, or nickel to reduce the yellow tone. Karat refers to how much pure gold is present: 14k gold is 58.5% pure gold, while the rest is alloy metals.
The higher the karat, the more gold content and the deeper the natural yellow hue. White gold is then rhodium plated after polishing to give it its characteristic bright white appearance.
Can a jeweler resize my ring?
Most rings can be resized, but it depends on the metal type and ring design.
Gold and platinum rings can almost always be resized. Plain, symmetrical bands without stones can sometimes be stretched slightly, though sizing more than a half-size typically requires cutting and resizing the shank. Smith's Jewelers handles ring resizing in Noblesville for customers across Hamilton County.
Rings made from contemporary metals — tungsten, titanium, cobalt, or stainless steel — cannot be resized because of their hardness. In those cases, jewelers usually reorder the ring from the manufacturer in the correct size, which takes two to four weeks.
Engagement rings and fashion rings with stone settings can generally be resized, though rings with stones in delicate settings require extra care to avoid cracking, chipping, or loosening stones during the process.
What is a jewelry appraisal?
An appraisal determines the monetary value of your jewelry for insurance or estate purposes.
An insurance appraisal provides a written description of a piece and assigns it a replacement value at current retail prices. This is important for ensuring a fair reimbursement if jewelry is ever lost or stolen. Always have insurance appraisals completed by a certified Gemologist or Diamond Graduate for accuracy.
An estate appraisal also describes a piece in detail, but assigns a lower market or wholesale value. This type is most relevant when valuing a jewelry collection for estate tax purposes or during the distribution of an estate. Contact us to schedule an appraisal with our team in Noblesville.
How long does jewelry repair take?
Most standard repairs take one to two weeks. Simpler work can be done same-day or within a few days.
The timeline for jewelry repair in Noblesville depends on the type of work needed. Common repairs like ring sizing, prong retipping, and clasp replacement typically take one to two weeks at Smith's Jewelers. More complex work — such as stone replacement, soldering, or custom fabrication — can take two to four weeks.
Simpler services like cleaning, prong tightening, or a quick inspection can often be done the same day or within a few days. When you bring a piece in, our team will give you an accurate turnaround estimate upfront so there are no surprises.
How often should jewelry be professionally cleaned?
Most jewelry benefits from a professional cleaning every three to six months, especially rings worn daily.
Rings — particularly engagement rings and wedding bands — accumulate oils, lotion, and residue from daily wear faster than other pieces. We generally recommend bringing those in for a professional jewelry cleaning in Noblesville every three to six months.
Earrings, pendants, and pieces worn occasionally can go longer between cleanings, but a periodic check-in also gives a jeweler the chance to catch loose prongs or worn settings before a stone is lost. At Smith's Jewelers, cleaning is always complimentary — so there's no reason not to stop in.
Have More Jewelry Questions?
Visit Smith's Jewelers in downtown Noblesville for expert guidance on repairs, cleaning, custom work, and more. Our team is happy to help in person.
For more in-depth guidance on the biggest jewelry decisions, see our complete buying guides: Engagement Ring Guide, Natural Diamond Guide, and Wedding Band Guide.