The easiest part about owning high-quality fine jewelry is buying it. Most people must remember the next crucial step – maintaining the jewelry. With proper jewelry care, your pieces can last for years. That’s why we’ve written a comprehensive guide on how to keep your precious jewels looking good as new for years to come.
General jewelry care tips
Please put it on last: Ensure accessorizing comes last when dressing for work or a night out with the girls. Chemicals in makeup, perfumes, etc., are prevented from damaging the piece by doing this. After a long day, it should also be the first item to take off.
Always keep it dry: Contact with household chemicals, perspiration, rubber, chlorinated water, or any substances which contain sulfur will cause corrosion and tarnish. So, it’s always good to keep it dry.
Rotate your jewelry: Get a variety of jewelry you love, and swap daily. By doing this, you slow down the wearing down process of your precious gems.
Know when to take it off: If you know you’re going to get messy or wet, take off your jewelry.
Wear it: Avoid tarnishing by wearing your jewelry often, as the oils in your skin will “clean” the Silver and keep it shiny.
Storage: As exposure to air tarnishes the surface, storing Silver in airtight plastic bags with anti-tarnish strips is a great preventative measure. You can also place a piece of chalk.
Polishing
Simply polishing your Silver works well when the tarnishing is not too heavy. It’s also the best method for cleaning oxidized Silver, as you can avoid intentionally tarnished areas.
Here’s what you need to know when polishing:
- Silver is soft and can become scratched easily. You can use a special silver cloth to polish your items.
- Do not use paper towels or tissues to polish your jewelry, as they contain fibers that can scratch the Silver.
- When polishing, use long back-and-forth motions that mirror the grain of the Silver. Do not rub in circles, as this will magnify any tiny scratches.
- Also, change to a different section of your cloth frequently to avoid placing tarnish back on the Silver.
- You can use a Q-tip to get into small, detailed areas.
- A professional should also clean ancient, fragile, or valuable pieces.
Soap and water
If the polishing cloth fails to remove the tarnish, lukewarm water and a mild, ammonia and phosphate-free dishwashing liquid should be your first method. Make sure to pat dry afterwards.
Gold Jewelry
Unlike Silver, gold does not develop a dull, tarnished finish over time if it’s not worn. Gold is typically softer than Silver and should be stored separately from other metals to prevent scratches. However, gold can still quickly accumulate dirt and grime with everyday use. To clean your gold jewelry:
- Stir a few drops of liquid dish soap into a bowl of warm water. DO NOT use hot water.
- Let the gold jewelry sit for a few minutes in the solution (5 minutes).
- Gently scrub the jewelry, removing dirt, with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse it under warm running water.
- Blot it dry with a soft cloth.
Silver Jewelry
Silver is a popular material for jewelry designs. It’s our most used material as well. Here’s what you can do to keep your silver jewelry in beautiful condition and tarnish-free:
Please keep away from the air: When oxygen and other chemicals, such as sulfur, come in contact with Silver, they bond to its surface, and this causes Silver to appear discolored or slightly dirty. Keeping them in an air-tight container can slow down the process.
Polish instead of washing: It’s better to polish than to clean silver jewelry with water. Washing should only be done when it’s vital.
Intentionally oxidized Silver jewelry
“Oxidized” is another term used to describe Silver. For some of our silver jewelry, our silversmiths intentionally allow parts of the jewelry to darken and oxidize, typically small details, to make them stand out more. However, this detailing can be lost if the oxidized parts are shined up with excessive cleaning and polishing. So be sure to identify any intentionally oxidized jewelry and put them aside for separate cleaning.
Plated jewelry
Plated jewelry is a type of jewelry with metals such as gold or Silver covering it. They are inexpensive and have a unique set of rules due to their fragility.
How to clean gold-plated jewelry
- Place the jewelry in a small bowl of warm water
- Add a few drops of dish soap
- Allow the jewelry to soak for no more than 5 minutes
- Take the jewelry out
- Use a toothbrush to clean easy-to-miss nooks
- Pat dry with a soft material
How to clean silver-plated jewelry
- Use aluminum foil to cover the interior
- Pour a tablespoon of baking soda and salt into a bowl
- Fill the bowl halfway with warm water
- Place the jewelry in it briefly
- Remove and pat dry with a clean jewelry cloth
Gemstones
There are two types of gemstones – porous and non-porous rocks. Each kind has different cleaning methods.
Non-porous gemstones: Lukewarm water and a small amount of ammonia are safe options for this jewelry. If you are wary of ammonia, you can substitute a non-concentrated soft detergent liquid.
Porous Jewelry: Because porous gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires are made of more natural and delicate materials, they must be cleaned with extreme caution to avoid discoloration, scratches, and chipping. You can wash them with regular water alone; warm water is harmful to sensitive stones. When cleaning them, use a soft linen cloth or jewelry cleaner. Avoid excessive rubbing and allow them to dry.
Pearls
Pearl is one very soft stone, meaning it scratches easily. Although its toughness is excellent, dehydration, aging, and excess bleach during processing can make it fragile. To maintain this stone, you have to:
Be careful: due to its organic nature, it’s very prone to dents and scratches, so always be gentle when handling it.
Keep away from bright light: pearls bleach when exposed to harsh sunlight.
Do not soak pearls: this can harm both the pearls and the string.
How to clean pearls
- Prepare a solution of warm water and a small amount of shampoo
- Brush the pearl with a small makeup brush dipped in the solution
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth
Finally
When you buy a piece of jewelry, you appreciate it because of its sheen and elegant finish. With proper care, your jewelry may fade, scratch, and look usable. With these tips, you can always prevent such mishaps all year round. Additionally, we will always recommend seeking professional help when necessary.
