You want your jewelry to sparkle, but over time dirt, dust, and moisture can make it tarnish. If you notice your jewelry has lost some of its shine, it may be time to contact your nearest jeweler. For the DIY crowd, you can skip the hassle and do it from the comfort of your home. Jewelry cleaning at home is an easy and cost-effective way to keep your jewelry shining. However, improper cleaning can lead to damage.
Here at Noe’s Jewelry, we recommend having your fine jewelry cleaned three times a year. With our jewelry cleaning services, we restore the shine in all types of fine jewelry for our Kansas City customers. When cleaning your jewelry at home, using fewer ingredients is typically safer for your piece.
How to Clean Silver Jewelry at Home
To restore your tarnished silver jewelry, the best solution would be to use silver polish. This will restore the silver to its original shine and help prevent future tarnishing. Silver polish is an effective at-home way to clean your jewelry, but it can also be messy and stain clothing.
If you want to skip the mess or don’t have silver polish handy, there are many other ways to clean your silver jewelry with common household items. Light tarnish can be wiped away with some dish soap or and warm water or window cleaner on a soft cloth.
For heavier tarnish, mix 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water to create a paste. Apply this paste to your wet silver with a soft cloth and rub gently. Once you notice all the tarnish is removed, you will want to rinse gently with cold water and buff dry.
Abrasive materials may scratch the silver while cleaning, so using a microfiber cloth is recommended.
How to Clean Gold at Home
Gold is a soft metal, meaning it is more prone to scratches and damages than harder metals. For added protection, we recommend using a gold polish or jewelry cleaning solution specifically for gold items when cleaning.
Unlike silver, pure gold pieces do not tarnish. However, most gold jewelry is made with a gold alloy, meaning other metals are infused with gold. Gold alloys can tarnish.
You can still clean your gold jewelry at home without gold polish, but there are more precautions to take than with other fine jewelry. You want to avoid using harsh soaps and chemicals when cleaning gold jewelry. Cleaning chemicals, like chlorine and bleach, can cause a chemical reaction and permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry.
To clean your gold jewelry at home, basic dish soap and warm water will do. Do not use hot or boiling water, as that can damage the gold. You’ll want to gently brush your gold clean with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and then rinse and carefully dry.
How to Clean Diamond Jewelry at Home
Diamonds are the hardest gemstone on earth, but everyday activities and regular wear can make your diamond jewelry lose its luster over time. You don’t need to worry about scratches on your diamonds, but dirt, dust, oils, and moisture can still cause build-up.
Some jewelry stores use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to give diamond rings their shine once again. While they are effective, sometimes loose stones fall off during the process and you may need to get your jewelry repaired. If your diamond jewelry needs the extra clean an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner brings, leave it to the professionals at Noe’s Jewelry.
Cleaning your diamond jewelry at home is easy and just as effective at getting your diamonds to shine again. Using a mild soap and some water, have your diamond jewelry soak for about 20 minutes, then remove and gently scrub with a soft brush to remove any dirt. Once the diamond is clean and shining, pat dry with a soft cloth.
Using a window cleaner, like Windex, will also leave your diamonds sparkling like new. Simply spray it on a soft cloth and wipe your jewelry clean.
For brides looking to have their diamond engagement rings cleaned before their wedding day, we recommend cleaning your diamond jewelry every week for best results. Like with all fine jewelry, avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals and abrasives.
How to Clean Your Gemstones
There are many different varieties of gemstones, and it’s important to know what kind of stone you have before you start cleaning. Since every stone is different, the way it reacts to chemicals, light, and temperature can affect your cleaning method.
A mild soap mixed with water will be enough to clean your gemstone jewelry at home. There are a few more precautions to take with gemstones than other fine jewelry pieces. When cleaning, you don’t want to use hot water, or your gemstones may crack. If the water is steaming, remove your gemstones, let them cool down naturally, and wash with warm water.
Organic gemstones, like pearls and amber, are beautiful but much more sensitive than other stones, like sapphires, amethyst, rubies, and emeralds. You’ll want to use warm water and be careful with drying. Use a soft, microfiber cloth to avoid abrasions. Store your organic gemstones in a dry, cloth jewelry box and avoid hot water and oils.
How to Clean Costume Jewelry
Cleaning your costume jewelry at home requires a sudsy soap with a damp cloth or cotton swab. Simply scrub away the grease and dirt build up and your jewelry should be as good as new. Since costume jewelry isn’t set like fine jewelry, we recommend you avoid soaking it to keep any gems in place. When it’s time to dry, lay your piece upside down to avoid moisture getting trapped inside.
Whether you’re looking to purchase fine jewelry to add to your collection or simply need a cleaning, the jewelry experts at Noe’s Jewelry can help. Our wide selection of diamond engagement rings and other jewelry and our knowledgeable, friendly staff has made Noe’s Jewelry Kansas City’s trusted jeweler since 1999. Visit our store or browse online for all your jewelry needs.