This entry was posted on February 16 2019 by Kelly Rice
Once you start to build a jewelry collection, you'll want to learn how to keep it looking its best. After all, investing in high quality pieces only makes sense when you're willing to take care of them.Luckily, caring and maintaining jewelry – even high-end pieces – doesn't have to be a chore. We've brought together FFF simple tips to keep your jewels sparking and your collection at the top of its game.
Cleaning Jewelry – The Basics
There are a few rules that apply no matter what methods, tools, tricks or tips you use for cleaning jewelry. Easy Goes It – When cleaning jewelry remember that less is more. Don't immediately scrub or rub harshly – even if you think that's what it will take. Depending on the method you could run the risk of causing more damage.Clean, Lint Free Cloth – Use a lint free or microfiber cloth when cleaning jewelry. These cloths are designed to be tough on grime but gentle to surfaces.Rinse Jewelry Thoroughly – Rinsing your jewelry after cleaning will wash away any soap residue or other debris. Wipe Dry and Leave Out – Once you've rinsed your jewelry dry it with another clean, lint-free cloth. Leave the pieces out to full air dry while you finish with the rest of your collection.
Simple Tips to Keep Jewelry Sparkling
These simple tips and tricks will make cleaning your jewelry easy and effective. Get everything together, put on your latest streaming obsession and make an evening of it.Grab That Spare BrushA toothbrush is perhaps the best tool for home cleaning of jewelry. The bristles of a toothbrush can reach every last bit of your piece, no matter how ornate. Buy an adult soft bristle and one from the infant and toddler section. The smaller brushes are often better suited for small or slender pieces. Be sure to select a soft bristled brush to avoid scratches. A Word on BoilingBoiling jewelry in order to clean it is an old method and one many modern people treat with skepticism. It's true that boiling is an extreme method but it's a great way to clean solid metal jewelry such as gold, silver and platinum. While not a method you should use liberally, it can be a handy option when dealing with heavily soiled metal chains.Back to BasicsSometimes the best answers are the simplest. When it comes to cleaning gently and effectively, there are few combinations better than soap and water. Even for jewelry, a simple mixture of soap and water can work wonders. While you can use almost any soap, both shampoo and dish washing liquid are the most popular choices. Dish soap, in particular, is designed to clean grease which makes it the perfect weapon against the oils found on skin and on the hair. The Magic of Baking SodaThe older you get, the more you realize just how magical baking soda is. It does so much more than take up space in the fridge!Mix some baking soda with water and let your jewelry soak for a few minutes. Then brush if needed, rinse and dry. This approach is better for diamond rings, silver and gold. Avoid this method when cleaning jewelry with pearls or soft gemstones.For tarnished silver, mix a thick paste of ¼ cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons (or less) of water. Apply with a damp cloth, gently rub, rinse and repeat as needed. Buff dry and then allow to sit in the open air.Don't Forget the VinegarYou know what else is just as amazing as baking soda? Vinegar. Plain, old, been around for ages vinegar. And, of course, most of us know the middle-school-science-fair thrill of mixing baking soda and vinegar.Polish gold jewelry and indulge in that bit of scientific fun. Coat a piece of gold jewelry with baking soda (wither as a thin paste or simply sprinkle on) and then pour vinegar over. Allow the reaction to bubble and die out then rub gently and rinse. Use this method with caution and never use it on a piece containing pearls or gemstones. Diatomaceous Earth can also be added to vinegar for cleaning jewelry. Vinegar can clean just about anything, but it is especially great for gemstones and gold. Diatomaceous Earth, also known as D.E., is a soft powder. It occurs naturally and is a part of sedimentary rock. This substance is known for being mildly abrasive and has been used in toothpastes. For this reason it should be used with caution. You can soak jewelry in a mix of vinegar and Diatomaceous Earth for 15 minutes or so. It's important to wish or stir the mixture around the the jewelry in it every few minutes. Do not soak for more than 15 minutes in a single session. As always, be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards.Hand SanitizerPut that stockpile of hand sanitizer to use. Pour a small amount into a bowl and let your jewelry sit for a few minutes. You'll begin to actually see debris and dirt flaking off and settling at the bottom. Remove your jewelry, brush with a soft bristled toothbrush, rinse and dry per normal.AmmoniaAmmonia is an extremely powerful cleanser and can only be used with metals and diamonds. It should never be used with opals or other porous stones as it can easily – and quickly – discolor them. To clean diamonds, mix one-fourth cup of ammonia and one full cup of warm water. Place diamonds in the solution and allow them to sit for up to 15 minutes. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean each piece then rinse thoroughly and dry.This solution can also be used to brighten both gold and silver. No need to allow these pieces to soak – simply wipe with the solution then rinse and dry.Aluminum FoilAh, aluminum foil – great for leftovers and … jewelry? Turns out, that roll of foil is great for more than just baking potatoes. To make the most of your foil, simply line a tray with it and spread out your silver jewelry.Sprinkle baking soda over the pieces until they are all coated or dusted. Boil some water and then our the hot water over the pieces. The foil and baking soda work together to remove tarnish from the silver. Once the water has cooled, carefully remove each piece then rinse and dry.Get FizzyClub soda does a great job of perking up diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Better yet, it's safe and simple to do. Just soak the pieces in a glass of undiluted club soda. You can soak them for a little while if they just need a bit of a shine or leave them overnight for pieces in need of a bit more work.VodkaSince we already have the club soda out, why not have a drink while we're cleaning jewelry? Jokes aside, vodka cleans glass and crystalline gemstones brilliantly. It works on everything from glasses to necklaces. Take care, however, on which gemstones you use with this method. Diamonds and emeralds are your best bets for the vodka bath, though it can work with other crystalline gemstones. Look up any specific stone before cleaning.BeerJust to make sure every drinker is represented, it's worth mentioning that beer can be used for cleaning jewelry as well. You can shine gold chains or rings (no gemstones!) by pouring some onto a cloth and buffing each piece. Avoid dark ales and simply towel dry once you've buffed it to a shine.
Special Notes for Specific Types of Jewelry
Caring for jewelry means knowing what methods work – and where they work best. You should always work with caution, especially when it comes to specific types of jewelry.Pearls and TurquoiseBoth pearls and turquoise are porous stones. That means it's important to take care when cleaning them. Luckily, there is safety in simplicity. Follow this simple 5-step process for cleaning porous stones:
Mix a weak solution of warm water and shampoo.
Lay the strand on a soft, lint-free cloth.
Dip a clean, small makeup brush in the solution and swish the brush around each stone.
Rinse stones with a clean, well-wrung cloth.
Transfer strand to a new, dry cloth and allow to dry laying flat.
Further protect pieces with these stones by wiping them off after each wear. This will prevent sweat, body oil or other contaminants from affecting the stones.Costume JewelryCostume jewelry gets a bad rap. There are so many cute and quirky pieces that are considered costume but that add a lot to any jewelry collection. These pieces may not carry the hefty price tag that high-end jewelry does but that's no reason for it to look cheap. Stones and embellishments are typically glued into place on these pieces and that rules out any kind of soaking when it comes to cleaning costume jewelry. Instead, you'll need to mix up a solution of dish detergent and water and set to work with a cloth. Wipe down pieces with a damp – not wet – cloth. To rinse each piece use a separate cloth – again, damp and not wet – to wipe away the soap. Pat dry and then allow to air dry with the piece turned upside down. This will prevent water from pooling in or around the setting.EarringsWhile you may keep your ears clean and wipe earrings when you wear them, keeping dust away is a good idea. Separate earring from posts and soak everything in a solution of soap and warm water. Swish it around to agitate the mixture and rinse. Wipe down with a towel doused with rubbing alcohol then rinse and pat dry. Allow to air dry on a clean cloth before putting each set back together and placing back in storage.
Benefits of Caring for Jewelry
Taking the time to clean, maintain and otherwise care for your jewelry is about more than just keeping it looking good. Maintaining that original sparkle and shine is certainly the most obvious benefit, but there are others.Check for Loose GemstonesAs you clean each piece, check each piece for loose gemstones or settings that seem unstable. Set these pieces aside and take them to a local jeweler for repair. Often, you can get a better price if you take everything in at once versus sending in each piece one at a time.Know What You NeedGoing through your collection every so often gives you a better mental picture of what you ave – and what you don't. That means you can react more quickly to a great deal online or when out shopping. Accessorize More EasilyHaving that mental image of your collection also makes it easier to accessorize and make the most of what you have. When a collection gets big, it can be easy to forget what you have – especially when it comes to niche or unique pieces. Cleaning and maintaining the collection on a regular basis will make it easier for you to match up different pieces with any outfit.Cleaning and maintaining your jewelry collection is a win-win. So pull out that jewelry box, put on some good music or your latest favorite series and settle in for an evening. By the time you're done, you'll know what you have, know what you need and you'll ensure the collection have looks stunning.
Once you start to build a jewelry collection, you'll want to learn how to keep it looking its best. After all, investing in high quality pieces only makes sense when you're willing to take care of them.
Luckily, caring and maintaining jewelry – even high-end pieces – doesn't have to be a chore. We've brought together FFF simple tips to keep your jewels sparking and your collection at the top of its game.
The Magic of Baking Soda
The older you get, the more you realize just how magical baking soda is. It does so much more than take up space in the fridge!
Mix some baking soda with water and let your jewelry soak for a few minutes. Then brush if needed, rinse and dry. This approach is better for diamond rings, silver and gold. Avoid this method when cleaning jewelry with pearls or soft gemstones.
For tarnished silver, mix a thick paste of ¼ cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons (or less) of water. Apply with a damp cloth, gently rub, rinse and repeat as needed. Buff dry and then allow to sit in the open air.
Don't Forget the Vinegar
You know what else is just as amazing as baking soda? Vinegar. Plain, old, been around for ages vinegar. And, of course, most of us know the middle-school-science-fair thrill of mixing baking soda and vinegar.
Polish gold jewelry and indulge in that bit of scientific fun. Coat a piece of gold jewelry with baking soda (wither as a thin paste or simply sprinkle on) and then pour vinegar over. Allow the reaction to bubble and die out then rub gently and rinse. Use this method with caution and never use it on a piece containing pearls or gemstones.
Diatomaceous Earth can also be added to vinegar for cleaning jewelry.
Vinegar can clean just about anything, but it is especially great for gemstones and gold. Diatomaceous Earth, also known as D.E., is a soft powder. It occurs naturally and is a part of sedimentary rock. This substance is known for being mildly abrasive and has been used in toothpastes. For this reason it should be used with caution.
You can soak jewelry in a mix of vinegar and Diatomaceous Earth for 15 minutes or so. It's important to wish or stir the mixture around the the jewelry in it every few minutes. Do not soak for more than 15 minutes in a single session. As always, be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly afterwards.
Hand Sanitizer
Put that stockpile of hand sanitizer to use. Pour a small amount into a bowl and let your jewelry sit for a few minutes. You'll begin to actually see debris and dirt flaking off and settling at the bottom. Remove your jewelry, brush with a soft bristled toothbrush, rinse and dry per normal.
Ammonia
Ammonia is an extremely powerful cleanser and can only be used with metals and diamonds. It should never be used with opals or other porous stones as it can easily – and quickly – discolor them.
To clean diamonds, mix one-fourth cup of ammonia and one full cup of warm water. Place diamonds in the solution and allow them to sit for up to 15 minutes. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean each piece then rinse thoroughly and dry.
This solution can also be used to brighten both gold and silver. No need to allow these pieces to soak – simply wipe with the solution then rinse and dry.
Aluminum Foil
Ah, aluminum foil – great for leftovers and … jewelry? Turns out, that roll of foil is great for more than just baking potatoes. To make the most of your foil, simply line a tray with it and spread out your silver jewelry.
Sprinkle baking soda over the pieces until they are all coated or dusted. Boil some water and then our the hot water over the pieces. The foil and baking soda work together to remove tarnish from the silver. Once the water has cooled, carefully remove each piece then rinse and dry.
Get Fizzy
Club soda does a great job of perking up diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Better yet, it's safe and simple to do. Just soak the pieces in a glass of undiluted club soda. You can soak them for a little while if they just need a bit of a shine or leave them overnight for pieces in need of a bit more work.
Vodka
Since we already have the club soda out, why not have a drink while we're cleaning jewelry?
Jokes aside, vodka cleans glass and crystalline gemstones brilliantly. It works on everything from glasses to necklaces. Take care, however, on which gemstones you use with this method. Diamonds and emeralds are your best bets for the vodka bath, though it can work with other crystalline gemstones. Look up any specific stone before cleaning.
Beer
Just to make sure every drinker is represented, it's worth mentioning that beer can be used for cleaning jewelry as well. You can shine gold chains or rings (no gemstones!) by pouring some onto a cloth and buffing each piece. Avoid dark ales and simply towel dry once you've buffed it to a shine.
