How to Clean and Care for Your Jewelry
Quick Recap
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Routine cleaning and proper care of your jewelry is the best way to maintain its beauty and keep it in good condition.
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It’s important to clean and care for your jewelry the correct way based on the type of metal and stones it contains.
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Make sure you know what to avoid when cleaning your jewelry to prevent scratches, discoloration, and other damage.
Why Proper Jewelry Care Matters
Whether it’s made of gold or silver or contains a diamond or another type of stone, proper care of your jewelry is important to protect your investment and preserve its beautiful brilliance. If you live in the city of Brea, CA, or the surrounding areas, Jeweler’s Touch has a fantastic selection of high-quality jewelry to choose from. You may also purchase any of our available pieces online through our website. However you decide to buy your jewelry, follow these jewelry cleaning tips to enjoy your gorgeous jewelry for many years to come.
General Jewelry Cleaning Best Practices
While this jewelry maintenance guide features details on how to clean and care for different types of jewelry, there are some best practices every jewelry owner should follow. This includes how often to clean your jewelry and knowing what to avoid to prevent damage.
How often should you clean your jewelry?
Regardless of the jewelry type, all jewelry should be cleaned after each wear to remove smudges or dirt. A deeper cleaning at home or by a professional should be done every month or every few months. The frequency depends on how often you wear it and the type of metal and stones it contains.
What to avoid when cleaning jewelry
There are some important things to avoid when cleaning fine jewelry to prevent damage:
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Harsh chemicals: Avoid using anything that contains bleach, chlorine, or ammonia, as they can cause severe discoloration of metals and gemstones.
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Abrasive products: Never use abrasive items like toothpaste, baking soda, or “scrubbing” cleaning products, since these can scratch your jewelry’s finish.
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Ultrasonic cleaners: While these devices work well for certain jewelry, they’re too harsh for stones like opals, emeralds, and pearls, and can also loosen your jewelry’s settings.
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Vinegar: Although it’s a popular “natural” cleaner, vinegar is much too acidic for certain types of jewelry and can potentially cause damage.
Cleaning Different Jewelry Metals
The type of metal your jewelry is made of will determine the best safe jewelry cleaning solutions to use.
Gold jewelry
One of the best gold jewelry cleaning methods is to use a solution of water and dishwashing liquid. Dip your gold jewelry in the solution, then gently remove any dirt or residue using a soft-bristle brush. Next, rinse the gold jewelry in clean water and pat it dry using a soft cloth. Place smaller jewelry in a strainer before dipping it into the solution, and place larger pieces right into the bowl, letting them soak for approximately five minutes before rinsing and drying.
Silver jewelry
There are three main silver jewelry care methods:
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Line a bowl with aluminum foil (shiny side up), then add your silver jewelry and cover it with baking soda. Pour in boiling water, letting it soak for around three to five minutes.
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Soak it in a mixture of ½ cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda for a few minutes, rinse under cold water, and dry using a soft cloth.
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Use Silver Dip, a product for silver chains that you can find at most major retailers or jewelry stores.
Platinum jewelry
Clean platinum jewelry in a solution of warm, soapy water, soaking for around 20 to 30 minutes. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently scrub grime away and rinse the jewelry under warm water, patting it dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. You may add a few drops of ammonia to the water (around one part ammonia to six parts water) for a more powerful clean.
Cleaning Different Gemstones
Whether you’re cleaning diamond rings, such as a wedding or engagement ring, or a piece of jewelry featuring precious stones, proper cleaning is important to protect your investment. Try these gemstone cleaning tips to restore your jewelry to its original condition:
Diamonds
Clean your diamond jewelry every month or so to keep it shiny. To clean your diamond jewelry safely at home, start by filling a bowl with warm water and adding a few drops of dishwashing soap. Soak the diamond jewelry for around 20 to 40 minutes. Once you remove it, gently clean it with a soft-bristle brush and pat it dry. You can also air-dry your diamond jewelry if you prefer.
Colored gemstones (sapphires, emeralds, rubies)
Most colored gemstones, like sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, may be cleaned in a solution of warm (not hot) water and mild, non-abrasive soap. Submerge the jewelry in the mixture and let it soak for around three to five minutes. Remove the jewelry and gently wipe it clean using a soft cloth. Avoid using paper towels to dry your colored gemstones, as they may cause scratches on the surface.
Pearls
Pearls are very delicate and require specific techniques to get them clean. Wipe your pearl jewelry clean with a soft cloth after each wear. For deeper cleanings, add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl of lukewarm water and dip the jewelry in the bowl before wiping it clean with a soft, dry cloth. Never submerge or soak your pearls in water, and make sure the jewelry is fully dry before putting it away.
Professional Jewelry Cleaning & Inspection
While these tips help you clean your jewelry as part of regular maintenance, there may be times when you need professional jewelry cleaning. Here’s what you need to know about the professional jewelry cleaning and inspection process and what to expect.
When to get professional help
If your jewelry looks discolored, damaged, excessively dirty, or dull, we recommend having it professionally cleaned. Everyday jewelry should be professionally cleaned every six to 12 months. Antique or delicate jewelry should undergo professional cleaning every six months if you wear it often. If you only wear your favorite fine jewelry on special occasions, it may only require professional cleaning once a year.
What to expect from professional cleaning
Before the jeweler cleans your jewelry, they will perform a thorough inspection to look carefully for signs of damage or wear. The jeweler will use special tools and techniques to safely remove dirt and grime. They will also look for loose stones, scratches, or worn prongs. In some cases, the jeweler may recommend that you have your jewelry professionally repaired.
Storing Your Jewelry To Prevent Damage
Here’s how to store jewelry properly to prevent damage to your favorite pieces:
Proper storage techniques
Keep your jewelry stored in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight. Whether it’s your favorite necklaces, bracelets, rings, or earrings, each piece of jewelry should be stored in a jewelry box with individual compartments lined with soft cloth or velvet. Store each piece separately to prevent them from rubbing against each other, which could cause scratches.
Travel tips for jewelry care
When traveling with your jewelry, use a special travel-sized jewelry box to keep items like rings, necklaces, and earrings separated and neatly stored. Always pack your jewelry in your carry-on bag so it doesn’t get lost. Never wear your jewelry while swimming, as saltwater and chlorine can damage the finish and the stones.
Service Areas for Professional Jewelry Care in Brea, CA & Orange County
We proudly provide expert jewelry cleaning, repair, and inspection services for customers in Brea, CA, and throughout Orange County and nearby communities, including: 92821 (Brea), 92823 (Brea), 90631 (La Habra / La Habra Heights), 92835 (Fullerton), 92886 (Yorba Linda), 92870 (Placentia), 91745 (Hacienda Heights), 91748 (Rowland Heights), 91789 (Walnut), and 90638 (La Mirada).
Visit Our Showroom or Contact Jeweler’s Touch Today!
Once you know how to clean and care for your jewelry properly, you’ll enjoy it for years to come. The experts at Jeweler’s Touch in Brea, CA, are available for professional jewelry cleanings, repair, custom designs, and much more. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!