How to Care for Platinum Bonded Jewelry

Platinum is among the most desired of all metals. Unfortunately, it is in such great demand, it often costs more than the average person can afford. Luckily, a few jewelers have perfected the art of platinum bonding; allowing women to purchase platinum jewelry at affordable prices. However, platinum bonded metals do require different treatment and care.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Soft polishing cloth
• Mineral free water
• Soft bristle brush
• Mild jewelry cleaning solution
• Mild liquid detergent (like Joy or Dove)
• Jewelry pouches or boxes.

How to Care for Platinum Bonded Jewelry

1. Because platinum bonding is a relatively new jewelry art form, most manufacturers and jewelers who use it, provide care cards with jewelry items. These care cards give information on that specific type of platinum bonded jewelry should be cleaned.
2. If, for some reason, you did not receive a care card with your platinum bonded jewelry item, then contact the manufacturer or jeweler and ask him or her for specific cleaning and care instructions.
3. In the event that you cannot obtain instructions from the manufacturer or jeweler of your platinum bonded item, consider taking it to a professional jeweler for cleaning. Although this might be a bit expensive, it should help to protect your jewelry item.
4. If you can't afford to take your platinum bonded jewelry to a jeweler or if you are afraid that he or she might damage it, you can clean if yourself by one of several methods. These include, but are not limited to:
   
   Cleaner plates,
   Cleaning cloths (that contain the cleaner inside),
   An extra mild jewelry cleaning solution,
   An extra mild liquid detergent (like Joy or Dove),
   A damp cloth, or
   A soft polishing cloth or fabric.
   
   If you are uncertain which, if any of the above is best suited to your platinum bonded jewelry, then choose one of the bottom three. They are safe for most platinum bonded jewelry items.
5. If you opt to use a cleaning plate, purchase one that specifically claims to be safe for "fashion" jewelry. If it is safe enough for fashion jewelry, then it is safe enough for platinum bonded jewelry.
   
   Cleaning plates generally work with just water and detergent. You put the plate in the bottom of a pan or bowl, pour in the indicated amount of detergent, and fill with water. As the jewelry comes into contact with the plate it interacts to clean the piece with a fizzing action.
6. If you decide to use cleaning cloths with jewelry cleaner inside of them, check the instructions to make certain that the cloths you have chosen are safe for your type of platinum bonded item. Many of these cloths are good across the board, but not all of them.
7. If you choose to use an extra mild jewelry cleaning solution, choose one that specifically states that it is "safe for all types of fashion jewelry." If it is safe for fashion jewelry, then it is safe for platinum bonded items.
8. You may choose to use an extra mild liquid detergent like Joy or Dove for cleaning your platinum bonded jewelry. Like any mild jewelry cleaning solution, these are safe for most jewelry items across the board. However, it is recommended that you do not immerse your platinum bonded items into the cleaner for more than a couple of second. Better yet, simply put a small amount on a very soft cloth along with water and clean the item that way.
9. You may use a damp cloth to clean your platinum bonded jewelry. That is considered perfectly safe and even highly recommended by many jewelry manufacturers. Be aware, however, that it can be difficult to clean pave, metal beaded, or antique jewelry this way because it is difficult to get the cloth in into the deep crevices. Use a very soft bristle brush to loosen any dirt that might be stuck there and then wipe clean. You may have to repeat the process two or three times before you get the piece clean.
10. Some jewelers recommend using nothing more than a soft jewelry cleaning cloth or soft fabric to clean platinum bonded jewelry. While these will wipe away surface dirt, they may not penetrate through oil and other product build up. If they don't, the metal will remain dull and lifeless. And, as like with damp cloths, they can't get into pave, metal beaded, or antique jewelry crevices. Try using a very soft bristle brush to loosen dirt that might be stuck there and then wipe it clean again. You may have to repeat the process two or three times before you get the piece clean.
11. Once your platinum bonded jewelry is clean, pouch it in cloth, velvet, preservative cloth, or jewelry boxes before storing it along with other jewelry pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep any care instructions that come along with your platinum bonded jewelry.
• Keep your platinum bonded items clean.
• Only use a very soft cloth or very soft bristle brush on your platinum bonded jewelry items when it is absolutely necessary.
• Expensive technology driven jewelry cleaners are no recommended for use on platinum bonded jewelry. They work no more effectively than most inexpensive ones.
• Store your platinum bonded jewelry item properly to keep it clean and protect them from damage.
• Don't clean your platinum bonded jewelry items everyday. Clean them only when they are actually dirty. Over cleaning them can also result in dulling them or rubbing off the platinum plating.
• Don't use cleaning products on platinum bonded items that specifically say they are not safe for them. There is a reason for such cautionary statements, so don't ignore them.
• Don't use harsh chemicals of any kind on platinum bonded jewelry. They will result in damaging them or removing the platinum plating.
• Don't use a hard bristled brush on your platinum bonded jewelry. They could result in damage to your items or remove the platinum plating.