Tips to Clean Your Jewelry Collection

There are hundreds of responsibilities competing for your attention on a daily basis. It isn’t easy to remember to clean your jewelry on top of everything else in your busy schedule. However, the sentimental jewelry pieces that symbolize special moments in your life matter and deserve a little added attention to look their sparkling best.

Over time, neglect or other factors can lead to a stone falling out, a broken chain, or even a ring cracking. That’s why it’s important to set aside time to take care of your precious and everyday jewelry pieces to avoid discoloration, breaking, or even tarnishing. We’ve created a guide to help you figure out best practices for cleaning your jewelry on a regular basis.

The importance of cleaning jewelry 

Keeping up with the state of your jewelry may not always be at the top of your list, but it is essential to keep pieces fresh and clean. If your jewelry becomes dirty and unkempt, it can become a hot spot for bacteria which could eventually lead to skin irritation, allergies, or complete discoloration and degradation of the metals.

Along with having excess dirt and debris on your jewelry, this grime can lead to gemstones becoming scratched or tarnished as well. As long as you schedule a time to clean your jewelry the right way, the risks of damaging your pieces greatly decrease.

We have to mention that techniques such as vigorous scrubbing, harsh chemicals, and submersion in liquids for too long are not recommended. Unfortunately, cleaning jewelry using the wrong methods can damage your precious items. It is important to find techniques that will not only benefit your jewelry in the long run but will also keep them shining brightly like the day you first saw them.

How to Clean Diamond Engagement Rings

Since an engagement ring is an everyday staple, it’s important to understand how easily it can become dirtied by common cosmetics such as hairsprays, lotions, makeup, or even perfume. Luckily, simple at-home cleaning can bring back the everlasting glow and sparkle.

One of the safest and most effective ways to clean engagement rings is to make a solution using warm water and a small amount of dishwashing soap. You’ll want to make sure your ring soaks for about 20 to 40 minutes while gently brushing the stone with a very soft toothbrush. Rinse carefully under warm running water.

If needed, it’s perfectly fine to repeat this process to ensure your diamond engagement ring is looking as dazzling as it possibly can. In addition to dish soap, using either shampoo or regular body wash is acceptable, but try to find versions that do not contain any type of moisturizer.

Products that moisturize tend to leave a film on the ring, which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid doing. Once you’re ready to dry your ring off, avoid using paper towels. They can actually cause harm by potentially scratching the ring. Instead, use a simple, soft cloth made of cotton or just let the ring air dry.

Overall, staying consistent and remembering to clean your engagement ring will be a surefire way to ensure it remains as sparkling as ever for many years to come.

How to Clean Other Metals and Gemstones

To clean most metals, you only need laundry detergent or dish soap of any variety. When it comes to cleaning sterling silver, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium niobium, or gold-fill, you’ll want to soak your jewelry in soapy water for a couple of minutes then gently, but briskly, rub the jewelry with a cloth or between your hands. After, you can just rinse off the soap with warm water and let the jewelry air dry.

If your collection includes copper or brass pieces, you’ll want to soak each piece in vinegar for about 5-10 seconds. After removing the piece from your mixture, lather with non-lotion dishwashing soap and water, then rub the jewelry briskly, but gently between your palms. After you’ve finished, rinse the pieces with cold water and completely dry each piece as soon as you’re finished to prevent any water spots.

As far as gemstones go, most of the time you want to repeat the method above that is used to clean your precious sapphires, emeralds, etc. However, a few soft, porous gemstones need special care and attention. Pearls, howlite, coral, and amber should never be soaked in water. Instead use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down and remove any unnecessary particles.

Storing Your Jewelry Properly

Your jewelry pieces should always be kept in a clean and dry place, such as a jewelry box or fabric-lined case. In a pinch, it is also acceptable to use an ordinary box, as long as you wrap each piece individually in soft tissue paper.

Usually, when you purchase a piece of jewelry, you will be given a special pouch or case that is designed with the right finish to protect that particular piece of jewelry. Some will have ultra-soft fabric while others will have anti-tarnish properties that help to keep the piece looking new for longer. Utilizing these pouches is one of the best ways to store your jewelry as long as it has been designed with that particular piece in mind.

Your Partner In Jewelry Protection, Aucoin Hart

Overall, while it is important to clean your jewelry to prevent damage and discoloration, you should consider investing in quality jewelry pieces from the start. If you are looking for a new piece to add to your collection, Aucoin Hart has a wide selection of fine jewelry from the most in-demand designers, all vetted to provide pieces of the highest quality.

Additionally, Aucoin Hart offers their own complimentary cleaning services and jewelry repair to help ensure your collections will last and stay as fresh as ever for many years to come.