How to Clean Your Jewelry

Learning to clean your jewelry can help your jewels last a lifetime! There are several different methods that you can use to clean your favorite pieces and you might be surprised by how easy it really is. Keep reading if you need a little help making your jewelry sparkle again!

Overtime our metal jewelry can lose its lustre. Whether you wear the same rings every day, find a stunning vintage piece, inherited a family gem or wear your jewelry in salt water there is a way to restore your pieces to perfection. Knowing what metal your working with can help guide you towards the best cleaning method!

 
Most jewelry is made of silver, gold, brass and copper metals both plated and solid. But at Boho-Magic we strictly use sterling silver that is composed of a blend of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, most commonly copper and zinc. Interestingly, jewelry is not typically made with 100% pure silver as the metal would be too soft. The reason that we use sterling silver is because it is incredibly durable and tarnish-resistant. But, like all jewelry, there are times when we may need to clean our favorite pieces!

There can be many reasons that our metal jewelry loses its sparkle over time and it’s usually a result of exposure to the elements. Here are a few ways that the elements can affect the appearance of our jewelry:

• Products, such as creams and perfumes, can be acidic which can dull the shine of metals that touch our skin
• Sulfates and gases in air can oxidize metal cause tarnishing
• Harsh chemicals in fresh water, such as chlorine and fluoride, can tarnish metal
• Salt in ocean water can darken the appearance of metal and cause tarnishing and rusting

There are many ways to take care of your jewelry including cleaning it so that it always sparkles! As well, if a ring tarnishes, the band can start to feel a bit sticky or leave residue on our skin; so learning to clean your jewelry is a great skill to have. Learning to prevent tarnishing is helpful and we’ve already written an article on this topic, which you can read here.

Most jewelry can be cleaned efficiently at home, but if you have inherited or found a piece of jewelry that is severely tarnished, consider taking it to a jeweller who can use ultrasonic technology to gently clean off the layers of tarnished residue. As well, if your working with gemstone jewelry be sure to research if your gem is water safe. There are many stones that shouldn’t be in water for long periods of time such as fluorite and malachite. If you have a gem that is not water safe, try not to submerge it in water or if you do consider using filtered water with few impurities and avoid cleaning it too often.

When it comes to the different types of metals, some cleaning methods work better than others and we will let you know those details below. Keep in mind that if you have a high quality gold piece, it will rarely, if ever, need cleaning; but lower quality gold jewels may be inclusive of other metals and you can turn to some of these methods for help.

Now, let’s dive into the ways to clean your pieces!

1. Commercial Silver Polishers

Best For: Silver

Silver polishers are the number one cleaning method out there as the product is specifically formulated to clean your jewelry. They can come in pastes or liquids, there are many different kinds but, it does involve spending money on a product so it’s often not the first method people like to try. Plus, this method is only great for silver metals. If you have a particularly stuborn situation, consider using a very soft toothbrush to help you out.

For a polishing product you would take a sponge (often provided in the container) and lather your piece with the product. Then, you would massage the product into the metal for a few minutes before rinsing it under water. Then, repeating this step as needed before patting dry with a soft cloth.

2. Dish Soap and Warm Water

Best For: All Metals

Arguably one of the easiest methods on this list, dish soap and warm water can do wonders for all types of metal jewelry! Mix these two ingredients together and soak your ring in the solution for about 30 mins to an hour. Use a soft cloth or an ultra soft toothbrush to buff the piece then pat dry.

3. Baking Soda and Hot Water

Best For: Silver and Gold

This is another solution that is easily accessible as it uses a common house hold product! Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl and then add hot water that is not boiling. Place your jewels into the bowl and let them soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Then rinse and pat dry.

Alternatively, if you have a very tarnished piece, you could create a baking soda and water paste. Then cover your jewel in that paste and let it soak, rinse and pat dry.

4. Baking Soda, Lemon and Hot Water

Best For: Copper and Brass

For this solution, mix your ingredients in a bowl to create a paste. If you don’t have lemon juice, you could use a vinegar. Your solution will bubble! Cover your jewels in the solution for 30 mins to an hour, buff the jewelry with a soft cloth if needed, rinse and pat dry.

5. Toothpaste

Best For: Silver

For this method, it’s important that you choose the right toothpaste. Make sure your tooth past is white with no gels, abrasive beads or whitening agents. With a soft cloth, buff your jewelry with the toothpaste for several minutes then rinse and pat dry. Repeat as needed until fully cleaned.

6. Polishing Cloth

Best For: All Metals

Using a soft polishing cloth is a fantastic way to return your jewelry back to its sparkling state. This can help remove any finger prints, oils or residue build up. With every Boho-Magic jewel, you receive one of our polishing cloths but in the case that you are looking for one you can purchase them at any store. Also, a little tip is that you could use the polishing cloth that comes with your camera lens or your phone!

We hope this helps and be sure to check out our other blog detailing how to prevent tarnishing so that you can spend less time cleaning! Shop our sterling silver collections today.