How to Clean Jewelry

Cleaning jewelry made simple to eliminate tarnish and restore shine to your gems.

Has your jewelry lost its shine lately? Don't worry we have you covered with these simple but effective tips to help clean your diamond, gold, silver and other forms of jewelry right at home. There are many reasons for jewelry to lose it's sparkle, which includes many factors close to home. Dust, dirt, lotions, soaps, sweat, moisture, and even air can make your jewelry tarnish and require a good polish.

Your jewelry should shine, but exposure to dirt, grime, lotions, soaps, sweat, air, and moisture can cause it to lose its luster over time. The good news is that you can clean most of your jewelry items at home, without having to take them to a professional jeweler. You can bring back the shine to tarnished silver and dull gold, make gems like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires sparkle again, and bring the shine back to your pearls. We recommend using these tried-and-true DIY cleaning methods and products to restore the brilliance of your jewelry. All you need are the proper supplies and a little bit of effort.

The best way is not having to clean jewelry at all! The easiest way to prevent jewelry tarnishing is to take good care of them. Store your jewelry to decrease moisture build up and exposure. We have a post on Where To Buy A Jewelry Box. Even when doing daily activities such as vaccuming, washing the dishes, or cleaning the household, taking off your jewelry before will make a tremendous difference. Jewelry should be stored in a clean and dry space. Having a jewelry box that is fabric-lined with seperate compartments for your jewelry is essential for any jewelry lover. Not only will this prevent tarnish, this will also prevent scratches and tangling.

Be mindful of your lotion, hairspray, perfume and cleaning supplies. The chemicals inside these products can cause tarnish and discoloration to certain typers of metals and gemstones. Put your jewelry on after you have finished getting ready and are ready to leave the household.

Those hot summer days who doesn't love to go for a nice refreshing swim? Your jewelry sure doesn't. Chlorine, debris, and other harsh chemicals can cause damage to your lovely jewelry pieces over time depending on the quality of the precious metal. When in doubt just take it off, save your jewelry for those special occassions.'

Another common cause is sleeping with your jewelry on. Yes we all need our precious beauty sleep, but we move around during that time subconsciously and this could cause damage to your amazing pieces unknowingly. Your bed frame, night stand, or even your body weight can crush or scratch your jewelry while you are sleeping.

The first and most simple way to clean your gold jewelry pieces is to use a simple cloth to get rid of any residue or dirt. A soft cloth will not cause any scratches. You can use most polishing cloths.

Gold Jewelry is different than sterling silver as you should NOT use any sort of toothpaste, baking soda, or powdered cleaner. These chemicals are harsh and can scratch your precious metals.

For cleaning solid gold jewelry such as bracelets, chains, and earrings, create a gentle cleaning solution using a few drops of dish soap and warm water. For smaller pieces of jewelry, place them in a strainer before putting them in the solution. For larger pieces, soak directly in the bowl for about five minutes to loosen any dirt. Gently swirl the jewelry in the solution, then take it out and lay it on a soft cloth. Use a soft toothbrush to clean any grime in the crevices and chain links. Return smaller pieces to the strainer and rinse everything under running water. Finally, dry with a soft cloth and buff to a shine.

For a more in depth guide on How to Clean Gold Jewelry you can click on the link and read more.

The first and most simple way to clean your gold filled jewelry pieces is to use a simple cloth to get rid of any residue or dirt. A soft cloth will not cause any scratches. You can use most polishing cloths.

• Avoid wearing your gold filled jewelry in the ocean or while swimming in pools, as salt water and chlorine can cause damage.
• Keep your gold filled jewelry as dry as possible and away from humid conditions. Store it individually in an air-tight plastic bag to prevent rubbing against other jewelry, which can cause it to lose its shine.
• Don't wear your gold filled jewelry while working out, as exposure to sweat can cause it to become dull.
• Be mindful that perfume, hairspray, and hand lotions may cause tarnishing due to their harsh chemicals.
• Occasionally wipe your gold filled jewelry with a jewelry polishing cloth to promote shine.

By following these tips, your gold filled jewelry will stay looking beautiful for years to come. Want to show off your latest gold ring? Make sure to keep it in tip top shape with the above tips!

The optimal way to clean gold vermeil jewelry is by using a soft cloth or a microfiber cloth to gently rub and polish the surface. It is important to avoid using a jewelry polishing cloth or silver cloth unless it specifically states "untreated." This is because such cloths often contain chemicals intended for silver, not gold, which can be too harsh for vermeil jewelry and cause early wear.

Make sure to use a clean cloth, soft, and non-abrasive, free of any lint that can get stuck in the settings and prongs. A simple act of gentle rubbing can effectively remove daily grime buildup and bring back the original shine of the jewelry.

When cleaning chains, gemstones, and pearls, one should take extra care and exercise caution as the pressure applied on small and hard-to-reach areas can be stronger than expected.

To thoroughly clean your vermeil jewelry, use a gentle solution of liquid soap and warm water. The best option for soap is a simple dish soap like Dawn. Be sure to use lukewarm water, not hot, and to wet a soft, lint-free cloth with the soapy solution instead of fully submerging the jewelry. Avoid using brushes on vermeil, as even a soft bristle brush can be too harsh and damage the gold plating.

Once you have finished cleaning your jewelry, rinse it with a cloth dampened only with plain water and gently pat it dry.

To maintain the shine of your gold plated jewelry, it's important to avoid applying beauty products like moisturizers and perfumes before putting on your jewelry. These products contain chemicals and oils that can cause the jewelry to tarnish. Give the beauty products adequate time to absorb into your skin before wearing your gold plated jewelry, to keep your favorite pieces looking their best.

The first and most simple way to clean your sterling silver pieces is to once again use a simple cloth to get rid of any residue or dirt.

Sterling Silver Jewelery can be cleaned using a small solution of baking soda, or gentle soap and warm water. Any dirt or tarnish will be quickly removed.

You can easily create a concotion using a bowl, covered in aluminimum foil, mix in some warm water with baking soda, and detergent. Place your sterling silver pieces inside and wait 10-15 minutes and voila! Your pieces should be as good as new.

If you're in a hurry to brighten your silver and don't have silver polish available, try one of the DIY methods mentioned below. Keep in mind that these methods won't prevent tarnish from returning, and silver experts advise against using them too frequently or at all, so they should only be used in emergency situations, especially the toothpaste trick. When it comes to silver-plated jewelry, avoid excessive rubbing to prevent wearing away the metal finish.

1. Dish soap: Combine a few drops of dish soap, such as Dawn, with warm water. Use a soft cloth to clean the silver with the solution and remove tarnish. Rinse with cool water and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

2. Baking soda: For heavy tarnish, mix three parts baking soda with one part water. Moisten the silver and use a lint-free cloth to apply the paste. Work it into the crevices and change the cloth as it picks up the tarnish. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean cloth.

3. Toothpaste: Just as mild abrasives in toothpaste remove stains from teeth, they can also remove tarnish from silver. Apply a small amount of white paste toothpaste (not gel) to your finger or a soft cloth, and gently rub it on the tarnished silver. Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth to achieve a shiny finish.

These precious metals are different as they require delicate cleaning in comparison to other more common types of metals.

Use a toothbrush with mild deteregent to maintain these metals precious finish. Or you can use a cloth as well to wipe it down on a semi frequent basis.

To properly care for your pearls, it's important to follow these steps:

1. Wipe them down with a soft cloth after each use to remove any buildup of oils or other substances.

2. Clean with a damp cloth only when necessary. For visibly stained pearls, use a solution of lukewarm water and mild dish soap applied with a soft cloth. Avoid submerging the pearl necklace in water as it can weaken the silk thread.

3. Allow the pearls to fully dry before storing.

4. Get them checked by a jeweler once a year to maintain their integrity and to have them professionally cleaned.

5. Avoid using a steam or ultrasonic cleaner as they can damage the outer layer of the pearls.

Focus on cultivating your style for 2023 with the top trends. Want to make a bold statement this year well we have just the post for you to learn more at Chunky and Bold Jewelry: Make a Statement with the Perfect Pieces. Or spice up your style with unique pieces that can make you stand out even more! Read more about unique jewelry: embrace your individuality with one-of-a-kind pieces.

Good luck and wishing that all jewelry stays clean and shiny!