How to Clean Jewelry at Home: A Complete Guide

Jewelry will decorate any outfit and help make special occasions more memorable. Whether you're admiring the glass hangers, rings, or delicate earrings, they all require special attention and care. Jewelry may lose its luster, though, due to dust, sweat, oils, and dirt from normal use. Fortunately, there are ways to remove the tarnish from many pieces of jewelry that can be done with a little simple at-home care.

In this guide, you will learn how to safely clean and care for various types of gemstones, and how to preserve the beauty of the jewels you love for years to come.

Jewelry cleaning on a regular basis is important for several reasons.

Jewelry collects dirt, body oils, lotion, perfume and other residues over time. These can dull gemstones and make metals less shiny. Cleaning regularly will help restore the beauty and look of your jewelry.

When you clean, you also have a chance to inspect your jewelry for loose stones, broken jewelry settings or broken clasps. If these issues can be addressed early, it may be possible to avoid damage or loss of the gemstone by accident.

Some jewelry, though, should not be cleaned all the same. This all depends on the type of metal, gemstone and finish.

1. Ensure that you have the correct cleaning materials on hand.

Keep a few household products on hand before you start cleaning your rings. Typically, you will need:

1  A small warm bowl of water

2 A few drops of mild dish soap will do the trick.

3  A soft, lint free cloth

4 Soft bristle toothbrush

5 An extra towel to dry with

Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners or rough brushes. These may scratch delicate surfaces, damage some protective coatings or impact some gemstones.

When cleaning jewelry with special finishes or delicate stones, always follow the manufacturer's care instructions.

2. Cleaning Gold Plated Jewelry

Gold plated jewelry is a thin layer of gold over a base metal. It's a beautiful gold colour look, but the plating can wear off too much by rubbing, harsh chemicals and long exposure to water.

Here's how to clean gold plated jewelry:

1. Combine several drops of mild dish soap and lukewarm water.

3. Wipe a soft cloth with the solution.

3. Wipe gently to clean the jewelry and to get rid of oils and dirt.

4. Wipe soap off with another slightly moistened cloth.

5. Dry with a clean soft towel.

Never leave gold plated jewelry in a soaking solution for extended time. Avoid polishing compounds, baking soda, toothpaste or brushes since they can scratch the gold finish.

Remove plated jewelry before swimming, showering, exercising or wearing perfume and lotion.

3. Cleaning of sterling silver jewelry is simple, painless, and straightforward.

Sterling silver jewelry will tarnish in the presence of air, moisture and some chemicals. Everyday dirt can be removed by gentle cleaning and a proper silver polishing towel can help minimize tarnishing.

To clean regularly, clean with mild soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely. Only use a silver polishing cloth when applicable.

Avoid abrasive polish or products with unknown ingredients for silver jewelry with gemstones, gold plating, or decorative finishes unless the manufacturer assures you that it is safe.

Tarnishing is slowed by keeping silver jewelry in an airtight, dry pouch.

4. Cleaning Gemstone Jewelry Safely.

Different gemstones have varying hardness, durability, and heat and chemical resistance, so gemstone jewelry must be handled accordingly.

Cleaning a Black Onyx Gemstone Pendant

Black Onyx Gemstone Pendants can become dull because of dust, oils and lotions getting trapped on the gem. For cleaning, gently wipe the stone with a soft, damp cloth moistened with lukewarm water and mild soap (if the stone and the setting are appropriate for this method).

Use a clean, damp cloth to thoroughly dry the pendant, removing all soap residue. Do not use ultrasonic cleaners, chemicals or rapid temperature fluctuations, particularly if it is not known whether the stone has been treated.

Take good care of the Tanzanite Gemstone Jewelry. Take care of the Tanzanite Gemstone Jewelry.

To prevent damage to the tanzanite, it is necessary to take extra care in the case of tanzanite Gemstone Ring & jewelry, as tanzanite is sensitive to sudden temperature changes and impact.

Clean the stone and setting with soft cloth and luke warm soapy water only when appropriate to the stone and setting. Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, hot water or strong cleaning agents.

Scrub tanzanite gently. Keep away from harder gemstones to minimize scratching.

If you're not sure of the safety of a gemstone's treatment, or its durability, consult an expert jeweler for the safest treatment.

5. How to Clean Diamond and Crystal Jewelry

Jewelry such as diamonds and crystals can lose their shine when they get covered with oils and dirt. Use a mild soapy solution to gently clean around the setting with a soft brush for appropriate pieces.

But the care of crystals, glued stones, and fake gemstones can vary. Do not wet parts with glue, fragile coatings or water sensitive components.

When storing jewelry, make sure it is completely dry.

6. There are a number of common jewelry cleaning mistakes that you should avoid.

Certain household cleaning materials can be more detrimental than beneficial. Here are some precautions to keep in mind:

Dentistry: Don't use toothpaste, which is abrasive and may scratch metals and gemstones.

Avoid using strong chemicals or bleach, which can deteriorate stones and metal and/or plating.

Never use boiling water: Temperature changes may affect fragile gemstones.

Do not use ultrasonic cleaners unless permitted: If it is, use it with care so as to not dislodge stones or harm unusual and treated gems.

Don't use the same cleaning technique for all gemstones.

If in any doubt, go for a friendly approach or ask a jeweler.

7. Properly storing your jewelry is essential.

Cleaning is not the only aspect of jewelry care. It's a long-lasting shine in between wears with proper storage.

Place each piece in a soft pouch or a lined jewelry box to avoid scratching or tangling. Keep jewelry away from direct sunlight, high humidity and household chemicals.

Avoid wearing jewelry while swimming, bathing or while in situations you might get it in contact with water or impact.

Take off jewelry and wipe with a soft cloth to remove oils and sweat before storing.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your jewelry beautiful and longer-lasting at home requires knowing how to properly clean it. Many common items can be taken care of with mild soap, lukewarm water and soft cloth. However, gold plated and delicate gemstones like tanzanite will need some extra care and handling.

One of the most crucial steps in enjoying your beloved jewelry for longer is taking care of it at Joolora Jewelry. If you are the owner of a Black Onyx Gemstone Pendant, Tanzanite Gemstone jewelry or any other regular accessory, it is important to understand the proper cleaning and storage methods that will help to keep your stone looking its best.