Things You'll Need:
- Plastic bags
- Plastic storage boxes
- Window cleaner
- Paper towels
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Step 1
Begin with rethinking your storage. Small sandwich bags work well to house each individual piece of jewelry. They are inexpensive and, if a stone falls out, it will stay in the bag. Do not keep your jewelry in its original box. Most contain sulfur, which will eventually cause damage to the metal in gold and silver jewelry.
Consider placing your more expensive pieces in small cloth or velvet pouches. Take each piece, in its bag or pouch, and place it into designated plastic storage boxes. Label each box by its contents, such as pendants, rings, bracelets, etc. Store these boxes in a dry, dark, temperature-controlled space. Sun, moisture and erratic climate changes will wreak havoc on your jewelry. -
Step 2
When it comes time to clean your antique jewelry, you can take it to a professional or do it yourself. All you need is a bottle of window cleaner and a roll of paper towels. First, inspect the pieces with a magnifying glass to ensure that there are no loose stones. If there are, repair the jewelry before you attempt any cleaning. Spray the paper towel with the cleaner and wipe each piece carefully. Never spray the jewelry directly. Once this has been done, use a cotton swab to get into all the nooks and crannies. You can clean your jewelry whenever it appears soiled. This might be once a week for pieces that are frequently worn, or once a year for others that are rarely worn. Make sure that you allow the jewelry to dry completely before placing it back into storage.
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Step 3
It is important that you remember to remove any jewelry--antique or otherwise--while performing household chores. This is especially true if you are dealing with a cleanser that contains chlorine, such as bleach. Remember that chlorine is also found in swimming pools and saunas, so take off your jewelry before you step into your bathing suit, too.
