Jewellery can be made from many materials and with many techniques. Because of this, cleaning jewellery should be approached cautiously. Start with gentle, simple brushing with a soft, clean, small paintbrush or toothbrush.
Precious stones can become dirty and a slightly more aggressive cleaning may be needed. It is important first to check that settings are secure. Some pieces can be set with glue and these should not be cleaned with any liquid as it might loosen the setting.
One of the chief causes of 'dirty' stones is hard water. This leaves a chalky residue. If you live in an area of hard water, clean with distilled water and a small amount of diluted washing-up liquid. Use a small, soft and clean paintbrush. Dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
Make sure you do your cleaning in an area where you could easily recover any piece that becomes detached.
Antique Jewellery
Daily Protection
Even when stored, precious jewellery needs special care, jewellery should be kept in a fabric lined jewel case or a box with compartments or dividers. If placed in a single box, each piece should be wrapped in tissue paper to avoid unnecessary scratching (a diamond can scratch and damage even another diamond).
Although many people wear their rings all the time there are occasions when they should be removed.
Do not wear a ring while doing rough work. A very hard blow can chip even the durable diamond.
High temperatures can ruin jewellery and care must be taken during soldering.
Organic materials like pearls, coral, cameos and such like can be damaged by acids, alcohol (including perfume) and skin creams.
Jewellery should never come into contact with chlorine bleach, which can pit and discolour it.
Regular Cleaning
Once you have selected your piece of jewellery it is necessary to take good care in order to make it last. The investment of millions of years of heat and pressure to crystallise a single diamond makes it imperative to take constant care in order to keep them at their brilliant best. A clean stone not only reflects light better, but also actually looks bigger than one that has been dulled by skin oils and cosmetics. To keep their sparkle at its brightest set jewellery should be cleaned once a month. Use one of the following methods:
Please note that:
• Foil backed stones should never be immersed in any liquid
• Organic materials can only be immersed in luke warm water and never in alcohol or acids
In most cases (even for organic materials), you can use one of the following methods, but be on the safe side and check with your expert.
Detergent Bath
Prepare a small bowl of warm water with any mild household liquid detergents. Brush the pieces with a small soft brush, a toothbrush for instance, while they are in the suds, then rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft lint free cloth.
Cold Water Soak
Soak the jewellery in a solution of cold water and a bit of household ammonia for 30 minutes. Lift out and gently tap around the front and back of the mountings with a small brush. Swish in the solution a second time, rinse and dry on tissue paper.
Quick Dip Method
Buy one of the brand name liquid jewellery cleaning kits now available in the market and follow the instructions
Professional Upkeep
A jeweller should check all set jewellery at least once a year for loose stones and wear of the mounting. He can also clean the jewel professionally.
Diamonds and Gemstones
Daily Protection
Although diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, they still can chip. Store diamond individually in soft cloth pouches. Prevent jewels from bumping against one another. Certain settings are more apt to protect your diamond:
• Four prong setting
• Six prong setting
• Low-profile channel or bezel settings
Regular Cleaning
Dust, skin oil and other unclean substances can cause your diamond or gems to lose their sparkle.
• Clean your gems from time to time in soap and water.
• Air-dry and polish with a soft cloth.
• Occasional brushing with a worn, soft-bristled toothbrush can help remove dirt from between crevices.
• For more resistant blemishes, use a weak solution of ammonia and water (about one part to four parts) and a soft brush.
• Treat metal settings gently as gold can scratch.
Professional Upkeep
A jeweller can clean diamonds and gems with steam or ultrasound, though ultrasound can worsen internal fissures or flaws.
Your jeweller can also check your settings to make sure they are tight. Annual checkups can help prevent stones from falling out.
Precious Metals
Daily Protection
Precious metals are prone to scratching. Avoid wearing jewellery during rough manual work or activities. Do not let metals come in contact with harsh chemicals or abrasive surfaces.
Store jewels separately in soft fabric bags or fabric-lined boxes to prevent them from bumping against one another. Store silver in a cool, dry dark place. To slow down tarnishing, do not store directly on wood or plastic.
Regular Cleaning
Gold and Platinum
These metals can be cleaned with soap, water and a cloth or soft brush if needed.
Silver
If you wash silver with soap and water, be sure to dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Tarnished silver can be cleaned with many polishes, pastes and tarnish removing wipes available on the market.
For silver that features intentional oxidation (shading of the metal), be aware that silver polishes may remove the oxidation thus requiring professional re-oxidation.
Professional Upkeep
Inspect jewellery regularly for damage or loosening, and have it professionally repaired if the need arises. Even if you do not detect damage or loosening, it is recommended that you have a professional jeweller inspect metal jewellery on occasion to make sure that prongs and bezels are intact.
Pearls
Daily Protection
Pearls are not as hard as mineral gemstones. When dressing, put on pearls only after applying hairspray, cosmetics, perfume or other potentially harmful substances that might stain them. To prevent chipping, pearl jewellery should be stored in soft cloth, away from other jewels.
Regular Cleaning
Do not clean pearls with any type of solvent or abrasive. To best maintain them, wipe them after use with a soft cloth, like those used for eyeglasses.
Unlike chemicals, the oils from your skin actually help keep pearls moist, so even soapy water is unnecessary for cleaning pearls.
Professional Upkeep
It is recommended that you restring pearls every few years as strings can wear down and break if not maintained.
Copyright
This article remains the copyright of Rarity4u and has been produced for educational purposes only and cannot be copied, reprinted or redistributed for commercial purposes or gain. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from Rarity4u.
If you would like to reprint, or quote all or part of this article, please send your request by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Precious Metals
Daily Protection
Precious metals are prone to scratching. Avoid wearing jewellery during rough manual work or activities. Do not let metals come in contact with harsh chemicals or abrasive surfaces.
Store jewels separately in soft fabric bags or fabric-lined boxes to prevent them from bumping against one another. Store silver in a cool, dry dark place. To slow down tarnishing, do not store directly on wood or plastic.
Regular Cleaning
Gold and Platinum
These metals can be cleaned with soap, water and a cloth or soft brush if needed.
Silver
If you wash silver with soap and water, be sure to dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Tarnished silver can be cleaned with many polishes, pastes and tarnish removing wipes available on the market.
For silver that features intentional oxidation (shading of the metal), be aware that silver polishes may remove the oxidation thus requiring professional re-oxidation.
Professional Upkeep
Inspect jewellery regularly for damage or loosening, and have it professionally repaired if the need arises. Even if you do not detect damage or loosening, it is recommended that you have a professional jeweller inspect metal jewellery on occasion to make sure that prongs and bezels are intact.
Pearls
Daily Protection
Pearls are not as hard as mineral gemstones. When dressing, put on pearls only after applying hairspray, cosmetics, perfume or other potentially harmful substances that might stain them. To prevent chipping, pearl jewellery should be stored in soft cloth, away from other jewels.
Regular Cleaning
Do not clean pearls with any type of solvent or abrasive. To best maintain them, wipe them after use with a soft cloth, like those used for eyeglasses.
Unlike chemicals, the oils from your skin actually help keep pearls moist, so even soapy water is unnecessary for cleaning pearls.
Professional Upkeep
It is recommended that you restring pearls every few years as strings can wear down and break if not maintained.
Copyright
This article remains the copyright of Rarity4u and has been produced for educational purposes only and cannot be copied, reprinted or redistributed for commercial purposes or gain. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from Rarity4u.
If you would like to reprint, or quote all or part of this article, please send your request by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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