You love your jewelry, whether it’s your everyday pieces or your special occasion ones. But over time, they can lose their sparkle and look dull. That’s because they get dirty from things like soap, lotion, dust, and dirt. These can clog the settings and make the chains, pearls, and stones look lifeless. You may not notice it until you’re getting ready for a date night and want to impress your partner. Don’t worry, you don’t need to take your jewelry to a professional cleaner. You can make them shine like new at home with some simple tips and tricks. Here’s how to clean your jewelry like a pro at home.
How to clean your jewelry at home
For Silver
Silver jewelry can tarnish easily, especially if you don’t wear it often. To prevent this, you should clean your silver pieces regularly with a good silver polish. This will also help them stay shiny longer. You can use liquid polishes, but they can be messy and wasteful. A better option is to use wipes that are specially made for silver jewelry. They are easy to use and convenient. You can also use multi-layer cloths that have one side for cleaning and one side for polishing.
To use these products, just follow the instructions on the package. Usually, you just need to rub the silver piece gently with the wipe or cloth until it’s clean and shiny. Then, rinse it with water and dry it with a soft cloth. You can also use a soft brush to get into the crevices and details.
For Gold
Gold jewelry is more durable than silver, but it can still get dirty and dull. How to clean your jewelry gold pieces, you just need some dishwashing liquid and warm water. You can also add a few drops of ammonia for extra shine, but be careful not to use too much. Ammonia can damage some gemstones and metals.
To clean your gold jewelry, make a solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water (and ammonia, if using) in a small bowl. Put the small pieces in a strainer and place it in the solution. For larger pieces, you can put them directly in the bowl. Let them soak for about five minutes, then gently swish them around. Take them out and lay them on a soft cloth. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub the chain links and crevices, and remove any dirt or debris. Put the small pieces back in the strainer, and rinse them under running water. Dry them with a soft cloth.
For Gemstones
Gemstones are the most delicate part of your jewelry, so you need to be extra careful when cleaning them. Some gemstones are harder than others, and can withstand more cleaning methods. These include diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, topaz, garnet, and quartz. These are called hard gemstones. Other gemstones are softer, and can be easily scratched or damaged by harsh chemicals or abrasives. These include pearls, opal, jade, aquamarine, and onyx. These are called soft gemstones.
How to clean your jewelry with hard gemstones: You can use the same method as for gold jewelry, but with a twist. Instead of using regular water, use seltzer water. This will create bubbles that will help loosen the dirt and make the gemstones sparkle more. Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush the stones and settings, then dip them in clear water to rinse. Rinse them again under running water, and dry them with a soft cloth.
How to clean your jewelry with soft gemstones: You need to be very gentle and avoid soaking them in water. This can weaken the string or the glue that holds them in place. To clean pearls, lay the strand on a soft clean cloth. Mix a little shampoo with warm water, and dip a small makeup brush in it. Gently brush each pearl with the solution, then rinse them with a clean damp cloth. Let the strand dry flat on the cloth, to avoid stretching the string.
To clean other soft gemstones, use a soft cloth dampened with water and a little dishwashing liquid. Wipe the gemstones carefully, then dry them with another soft cloth. You can also use a soft brush to clean the settings, but be careful not to scratch the stones.
For Pearls
Pearls are known to lose their radiance because they’re so porous. Whether they are real, faux, or cultured, you need to clean them with extra care. Rule number one: Don’t soak pearls to avoid the string to weaken and break. How to clean your jewelry like pearls, is to lay the strand on a soft clean cloth. In a mixture of a little shampoo with warm water, dip the small makeup brush, and go over each pearl. To finish, rinse them with a clean, well-wrung cloth and let the strand dry flat to avoid the string from stretching.
For Costume Jewelry
Costume jewelry is not made of precious metals or gemstones, but it can still look beautiful and stylish. However, it can also get dirty and tarnished easily, and it may not last as long as fine jewelry. To clean your costume jewelry, you need to be gentle and avoid soaking it in water. This can damage the stones, the metal, or the glue.
To clean your costume jewelry, use a soft cloth moistened with water and a little dishwashing liquid. Wipe the pieces gently, and pay attention to any grime or smudges. Then, use another cloth dampened with water to wipe them again. Pat them dry with a soft cloth, and lay them upside-down on a towel. This will prevent any moisture from getting into the settings. Never soak costume jewelry in water, as this can cause the stones to fall off or the metal to rust.
Bonus Tips for Cleaning and Caring for Your Jewelry
Here are some more tips and suggestions from the web to how to clean your jewelry and keep it clean and shiny:
- Use gentle soap, lukewarm water, and a soft toothbrush to clean jewelry of nearly any type.
- Clean gold jewelry with baking soda and vinegar, baking soda and aluminum foil, or ammonia.
- Clean silver with hand sanitizer, aluminum foil and salt or baking soda, or plain white toothpaste.
- Use a soft cloth or jeweler’s cloth to wipe away smudges and body soil after each wearing.
- Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaners like ammonia, bleach, or scouring powder when cleaning jewelry.
- Store jewelry in a dry environment (in felt helps) to avoid moisture buildup and tarnishing.
- Silver, which is especially prone to tarnishing, should be kept in a jewelry organizer away from other jewelry and metals.
- Don’t sleep or shower in your jewelry, as this can cause unnecessary damage and premature wear.
- Avoid applying oils, lotions, makeup, and sunscreen when wearing your jewelry, as these can cause buildup and dullness.
- Avoid exposing your jewelry to harsh chemicals, such as chlorine, bleach, or household cleaners, as these can damage the metal and the stones.
- Take your jewelry to a professional jeweler once in a while for a checkup and a thorough cleaning5.
- Have your jewelry appraised and insured, especially if it’s valuable or sentimental5.
These are some of the best tips and suggestions for how to clean your jewelry at home. By following these simple steps, you can keep your jewelry looking beautiful and sparkling for a long time. Remember, your jewelry is not only an accessory, but also a reflection of your personality and style. Treat it with love and respect, and it will reward you with its charm and elegance.
