How to Clean Jewelry

How to Clean Jewelry

Find out the proper way to make your trinkets sparkle…

Diamonds

The best way to clean a diamond is with warm soapy water and a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush. Pat it dry with a soft cloth. You may have heard that using toothpaste gets your diamond to sparkle; it’s not a great idea. While toothpaste won’t harm the diamond, it is abrasive enough to harm the softer metals next to the diamond, like silver, so it is not recommended.”

Gold

Always remove gold jewelry before showering or cleaning because soap and chemicals can cause a film to form on karat gold, which makes it appear dull and dingy. While there are plenty of commercial cleaners available, it’s just as effective to clean gold with what you already have. For untarnished jewelry, mix a few drops of mild dish detergent with warm water, and scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush. If it’s tarnished, mix a few drops of ammonia into soapy water, submerge the jewelry and carefully brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Rinse it with lukewarm water and allow it to dry.

Avoiding chlorine is key to keeping gold jewelry looking good. Chlorine at high temperatures, like in a hot tub, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is a soft metal that can scratch easily. Scrubbing it or using a cloth with even the slightest abrasiveness will harm the surface. Use a silver polishing cloth or a very soft, clean sponge with no residue to polish and get rid of tarnish.

Pearls

When pearls are visibly dirty, wash them in 1 teaspoon of Woolite diluted in 1 quart of water. Immerse them for 10 to 15 seconds, wipe with a soft cotton cloth and lay flat to dry. Store them in a cotton bag—never plastic—separate from other jewelry. To ensure that they stay lustrous, think outside the jewelry box: wearing them regularly will keep them polished, thanks to your body’s natural oils. When you take them off, wipe them with a dry cotton cloth.

Jewelry with a Textured Surface

A brass brush, which can be found in the paint department of a hardware store, with soapy water works especially well on textured 14 karat gold jewelry. The tiny bristles get in the grooved surface to clean. The brass metal of the bristles help give it a nice satin polished look. For silver jewelry with an intricate design, use a silver-cleaning paste to get into the grooves, and wipe with a soft, clean cloth.

Turquoise

You should clean your turquoise in warm, sudsy water and dry it immediately with a soft cloth. Don’t submerge the stone in water—it is very porous and liquids can easily seep in and cause discoloration. Avoid commercial jewelry cleansers, as they can also discolor the stone.