BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Clean Jewelry

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Rate: (21 Ratings)

Before cleaning your jewelry, examine it carefully to make sure that all settings, clasps and prongs are secure. Once you've done that, you're ready to proceed.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Mild Dish Detergents
Nonabrasive Jewelry Cleaners
Nonabrasive Silver Polishes
Soft Dry Cloth
soft, lint-free cloths

Gold, Platinum and Gemstones

Step1

Use a nonabrasive jewelry cleaner, which you can purchase at a local jewelry store. Or use a cleaning solution of mild dish soap and water.

Step2

Dip the jewelry in the cleaner or cleaning solution.

Step3

Rinse in warm running water.

Step4

Buff dry with a soft, lint-free cloth until it's shiny.

Silver

Step1

Clean the silver with a nonabrasive silver polish.

Step2

Apply the polish with a soft cloth, gently working it into stains.

Step3

Wipe away excess polish and buff the jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth until it's shiny.

Step4

Keep in mind that frequently wearing silver jewelry can keep it from becoming tarnished.

Tips & Warnings

Do not use jewelry cleaner on pearls and porous stones, such as emeralds, rubies, lapis lazuli, coral and turquoise. Wipe them clean with a soft, damp cloth or have them cleaned professionally. Consult a jeweler when in doubt about a particular stone.
Exposure to perfume, cosmetics or perspiration can stain gemstones.

Comments

lilianne said

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on 6/15/2008 Thank you for the great tip. I was looking for silver cleaning method but I got it from www.hopechestjewelry.com.

qualifiedweb said

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on 3/10/2008 Cleaning is very important for jewelry.

qualifiedweb said

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on 3/10/2008 Thanks for the article.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Put ketchup in copper, silver or any metal and then leave it for a couple of minutes, and then rub with a napkin do it vigorously, then after you're done with it rinse with water, and it will be shinny! After that you can use a solution with (water, lime and baking soda) leave it in it for about 5 minutes, rinse and buff with a cloth. This works like a charm!

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 You will ruin some gemstones, such as Tanzanite, by scrubbing them vigorously with toothpaste. They are too soft for this technique and only need to soak in lukewarm soapy water using a mild liquid detergent. Rinse with water that is the same temperature and dry with a paper towel or soft cloth. You can also use window cleaner. Wipe immediately after spraying.