Cleaning your fine jewelry at home can be a simple process. In this blog post, you will learn jewelry cleaning tips that will keep your pieces beautiful over time. Learn how to clean different metals like gold and sterling silver and find out how easy it is to maintain gemstones like diamonds and opals!
Elements to Avoid
Before we get into cleaning, let’s go over what should be avoided.
Avoid excessive sunlight for jewelry. This will result in increased longevity for many gemstones. The brilliant qualities of opal, pearl, amethyst, and topaz can be easily diminished and damaged by excessive exposure to the sun.
Cosmetics like hairspray, perfume, and lotion are not your jewelry’s friend. Don’t let these coat your favorite pieces. Many activities are not jewelry-friendly. When you go for a swim in a chlorinated pool or when you’re cleaning with harsh chemicals, make sure you’ve removed your jewelry beforehand or that you wear gloves that protect jewelry you may not want to remove, like a wedding band.
Metals that Glow
Bridal jewelry and fashion jewelry often incorporate metals like yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and sterling silver. You can make your metals glow with a simple cleaning process.
All golds and sterling silver can be cleaned using a bowl, warm water, mild soap, and a clean lint-free cloth. Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water. Submerge the gold or sterling silver and gently brush with the cloth.
In a separate water-filled bowl, thoroughly rinse your metal jewelry and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Whether it’s bridal jewelry or fashion jewelry, these pieces must be cleaned often.
Gemstones that Shine
Keeping gemstones clean is quite similar in process to metals. Harder gemstones like diamonds and topaz can be cleaned with the above instructions. For softer gemstones like pearls and opals, read on.
To safely keep them clean, gemstones like pearls and opals require a gentler touch. With a clean cloth, gently wipe pearls each time you’re done wearing them.
For a cleaning beyond wiping down, you will need a bowl, warm and soapy water, and a cloth. Dip the cloth in a bowl of warm, soapy water. Ring the cloth, then gently wipe the pearls or opals. Do not submerge these gemstones. Lay them flat on a cloth and let them completely dry.
Proper Storage
Storing fine jewelry correctly is an essential part of keeping jewelry clean. Luckily, this is also a super straightforward process.
Keep your jewelry in a jewelry box or valet. Ensure that the box or valet is lined, is padded for rings, and includes posts for bracelets and necklaces. You can also keep jewelry in the box or pouch in which it came from the jeweler. Be sure to store sterling silver in an anti-tarnish bag.
Pearls and opals love moisture, so they should be stored with that in mind. Fun fact: this means wearing them helps them stay clean! Don’t close them off from clean air in a plastic bag or safe. Further, they should be stored individually where they cannot be scratched by other jewelry or hard surfaces.
You Are All Set!
Now that you know these jewelry cleaning tips, you’re all set for jewelry cleaning at home. Jewelry should also be checked by a jeweler every six months to ensure cleanliness and resilience. Explore these maintenance services at Long Jewelers.
At Long Jewelers, we are here to provide all of your repair and service needs. After receiving service and repair from us, your jewelry will look new again! Shop for fine jewelry and timepieces with us. For unparalleled service and expansive selection, shop at Long Jewelers.
