How to Clean and Care for your Jewellery

This covers how to clean and care for your jewellery–

• General Cleaning and Care tips:
• When wearing your Jewellery:
• How to Clean and Maintain 925 Silver Jewellery:
• How to Clean and Maintain Stainless Steel Jewellery:
• How to Clean and Maintain Gold Jewellery:

General Cleaning and Caring tips:

1. Store separate from other pieces of Jewellery
2. Do not spray perfume or deodorants directly on Jewellery
3. Do not shower or swim with Jewellery
4. Do not exercise with Jewellery

When wearing your Jewellery:

1. When wearing your jewellery, try not to wear other metal jewellery at the same time, so as to avoid collision, deformation or scratches.
2. Keep your jewellery dry, don’t wear it while showering or swimming (especially in saltwater), and don’t wear it in hot springs.
3. Keep away from so chemicals, such as those with strong acidity and alkalinity.
4. Try not to let your jewellery come into contact with perfume.
5. It is best to remove your jewellery when sleeping and store them in a dry place.
6. Silver appears light coffee coloured when oxidized. It can be wiped with a soft cloth moistened with a little silver oil, soaked with silver washing water, or directly wiped with a silver cloth (The silver cloth can be used multiple times).
7. When not wearing your jewellery, store it in a sealed plastic bag, this can reduce its contact with air reducing or preventing it from turning black.

 

How to Clean and Maintain 925 Silver Jewellery:

How to clean Silver Jewellery –

1. Soap and Water: this is the easier and the most recommended method because soap and water are so gentle.
2. Baking Soda and Water: 2 parts baking soda, 1 part water and stir into a paste, (never use toothpaste) and clean gently with a cloth or toothbrush.
3. White Vinegar and Baking Soda: To remove heavy tarnish this is the best method. Soak your silver jewellery in ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda for 2 to 3 hours. Rinse and dry your jewellery well.
4. Finish with a Polish: Whichever method you use, finish the cleaning off by gently rubbing with and cloth designed to polish 925 silver.

How to Clean and Maintain Stainless Steel Jewellery:

How to clean Stainless Steel Jewellery –

1. Stainless steel jewellery can be cleaned the same way silver jewellery is cleaned.
2. Toothpaste: Stainless steel jewellery can be cleaned with white toothpaste without silica/gel. Use a damp cloth with warm water and white toothpaste. Gently rub the cloth across the jewellery with the grain, not across it. Rinse the jewellery off under warm water and dry it with a soft cloth. If needed polish with a soft cloth.

How to Store Silver and Stainless-Steel Jewellery –

1. An Air-tight Container: A container can be used as long as it is air-tight. Plastic zip-lock bags are great because you can see what jewellery is in the bag.
2. Store Pieces Individually: All your jewellery should be stored individually to prevent scratching and necklaces and chains from tangling with each other.
3. Keep in a Cool Dark Place: Sunlight, heat and moisture accelerate tarnishing.
4. Do not store in Paper, Cardboard, or Cotton-filled boxes: these boxes may contain traces of sulphur which will contribute to tarnishing.
5. Consider Anti-tarnish Strips: you can throw in some anti-tarnish strips with your jewellery to help prevent tarnishing.

How to Clean and Maintain Gold Jewellery:

When to Clean Gold Jewellery

Any jewellery worn regularly should be cleaned regularly. This will help retain the lustre of your jewellery.

“Gold can withstand gentle frequent cleaning, which keeps it free from dust, oil, fingerprints, and chemical build-up,” This helps extend the life of the jewellery and keeps it looking shiny and new.  

White gold, yellow gold and rose gold jewellery can be cleaned as below:

1. Soap and Water: 10 parts warm water (not hot) in a dish with 2 parts of dish soap.
2. Soak your Jewellery: Soak for 10-15 minutes then brush gently with a toothbrush.
3. Rinse under cold water: Rinse the jewellery under cool running water.
4. Dry your Jewellery: Lay your jewellery flat on a paper towel and leave it to air dry. When dry gently buff with a lint-free soft cloth.
5. Remember: Be gentle when brushing and drying, gold is a soft metal.

Precious and Semi-precious Stone

Some stones are perfectly safe to use with the cleaning method above. If you know your jewellery contains diamond, ruby, sapphire, and most semi-precious gemstones, like amethyst, aquamarine, or rose quartz, they are safe to gently clean.

Do not soak natural emeralds, pearls, opals, coral, bone, or wood. Soaking can cause permanent damage, while coral, bone, and wood are soft and absorbent, so water and any chemicals can cause permanent discolouration or damage.

Most fashion stones such as cubic zirconia or crystals can withstand a brief gentle cleaning but should not be submerged in water or scrubbed with abrasives. These items can be gently buffed with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth.

If you are not sure how to clean your jewellery safely ask your jeweller if you are not sure.

How to Store Gold Jewellery–

1. Individually wrapped in a soft cloth.
2. Store in a fabric-lined box with silica gel packets, to absorb moisture.
3. Store pieces separately in a plastic bag or cloth pouch to avoid scratching and tangling.
4. Don’t leave your jewellery in the bathroom. Store in a dry place.