It is important to clean your jewelry regularly to maintain its sparkle and shine. Along with simply improving the aesthetic appeal of your jewelry, regular cleaning can also help preserve its value over time. Jewelry often accumulates dirt and dust, which can dull the appearance of your accessories, making them look older than it actually is.
When jewelry is left uncleaned, dirt and dust can accumulate on the surface of the metals and stones. This can cause discoloration, making your jewelry appear dull and aged. It can also lead to abrasions or scratches that diminish the piece’s overall quality. Additionally, dirt buildup can cause chemicals like sulfur and chlorine to become trapped inside the grooves of the jewelry, leading to corrosion or tarnish.
With that in mind, we gather a few cleaning tips from jewelry appraiser experts to help you ensure your jewelry always looks its best.
Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Common cleaning mistakes can cause significant damage to your jewelry, and it’s important to know what not to do to best preserve the value of your pieces. The most common mistakes are:
Cleaning With Toothpaste
Toothpaste should not be used to clean most types of jewelry because it can be abrasive and cause damage to delicate pieces. While it may work well for teeth, toothpaste can scratch gold and loosen stones.
Remember that toothpaste can damage the metal. Be careful to avoid getting toothpaste on your pearls and opals, as it can cause them to lose their color and shine.
Drowning Jewelry in Lemon Juice
We are about to bust another old wives’ tale about lemon juice. Even though it’s a common DIY solution, it shouldn’t be used to clean your jewelry.
Using lemon juice to clean your jewelry can be harmful as its high acidity and abrasiveness may lead to discoloration, tarnishing, and scratches on your jewelry.
If you’re cleaning your pearls, definitely avoid lemon juice. Pearls are fragile and may even disintegrate if soaked in lemon juice because of their acidity.
Boiling Your Jewelry
Using hot water to clean jewelry is a reasonable method, unlike toothpaste or lemon juice. Jewelers often use steam to clean jewelry professionally, making it a reliable option. However, it’s important to note that soft stones such as emeralds and opals should not be cleaned with steam as they may be damaged.
If you want to maintain the shape and strength of your jewelry, it’s best to avoid soaking it directly in boiling water. While a short dip might not cause any harm, it’s not recommended for delicate and thin pieces.
Trying Bleach
While bleach might remove a wine stain from your new white blouse, it can harm your jewelry. The strong chemicals in bleach can cause permanent damage and discoloration by breaking down the metals in your jewelry.
To prevent damage to gemstones, it is recommended to steer clear of chlorine sources such as swimming pools and spas. Chlorine has the potential to gradually degrade the polish and finish of most gemstones.
If your items are only slightly affected, you can use soap and water to counteract the effects of chlorine. However, it’s not worth taking the risk. To keep your items looking beautiful, it’s best to avoid using bleach and chlorine.
Tips for Cleaning Different Types of Jewelry
Now that we have covered what not to do while cleaning your jewelry, here are a few tips for cleaning different types of pieces.
1. Gold Jewelry
When it comes to gold, there are several ways you can clean and preserve its value. You can follow these steps:
- To clean gold jewelry, create a cleaning solution of lukewarm water and non-abrasive dish soap.
- Soak the gold jewelry in the solution for a few minutes.
- If there is residue, use a soft bristle brush to clean off the buildup.
- Soak the jewelry for another few minutes.
- Remove the jewelry from the solution and let it air dry.
- Use a gentle polishing cloth to bring out the luster and shine of the piece.
2. Clean Silver Jewelry
You can refresh your silver jewelry with just a few common household ingredients. Follow these steps:
- Create a cleaning solution by mixing gentle dish soap with lukewarm water.
- Soak the silver pieces in the solution for a few minutes.
- Scrub away tarnish or stains using circular motions with a small, soft cleaning brush or an old toothbrush.
- Rinse the silver with lukewarm water and pat dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Repeat the process if necessary to remove all tarnish or stains.
- If tarnish is stubborn, refer to the next section for further tips.
3. Costume Jewelry
To prevent the tarnishing of delicate metals and materials, it is important to avoid water when cleaning costume jewelry. Here are some tips for cleaning costume jewelry:
- Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe each piece of costume jewelry.
- To clean the crevices, wrap the microfiber cloth around a cotton swab and wipe down the piece.
- If the jewelry can handle water exposure (such as gems, glass, and gold plating), use the same cleaning method as silver jewelry.
- Dry each piece thoroughly with a microfiber cloth after cleaning.
When to Seek Professional Jewelry Cleaning Services
When it comes to cleaning and preserving the value of your jewelry, seeking professional jewelry cleaning services is a great option. Professional jewelers have the knowledge and experience necessary to clean and care for all types of jewelry, from gold to silver to costume pieces. They will also be able to provide you with more detailed instructions on how to clean and maintain your jewelry in the future.
If you are looking for a professional cleaning service, we recommend you look for a certified jewelry appraiser Philippines like Willyn Villarica Jewelry. With years of experience in the jewelry industry, Willyn Villarica knows exactly how to handle each piece of jewelry with care. You can trust that your precious items will be handled best when seeking services from them.
Get Your Jewelry Clean Today!
Taking care of your jewelry is important to ensure its longevity and value. Regular jewelry cleaning is essential for preserving its value and ensuring you get the most out of your jewelry for years to come. Not only does regular cleaning help keep your jewelry looking shiny and lustrous, but it also helps protect it from dirt, grease, and other contaminants that can cause damage.
So if you’re looking for a professional cleaning service, contact Willyn Villarica Jewelry! With their wealth of knowledge and experience in the jewelry industry, you can trust that they will handle your precious pieces carefully. Get your jewelry cleaned today and start enjoying its beauty again.
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