We all have at least one piece of jewellery that is precious to us, whatever it is worth. Whether it’s an adored white gold engagement ring, a sparkling silver bracelet set with gemstones, or a pair of pearl earrings your beloved gave you for a wedding anniversary.
Jewellery is created to be worn and enjoyed, and isn’t high maintenance as long as you care for it well — so follow our professional tips in this blog post and enjoy many years of wear and sparkle.
General jewellery care tips
- Remove all jewellery at night before you go to bed.
- Remove jewellery before swimming or taking part in any activity that will make you sweat.
- Don’t submerge your jewellery in water.
- Don’t shower or bathe in your jewellery.
- Put your jewellery on after you have got ready for the day, so as to avoid contact between your jewellery and your perfumes, make-up, hair sprays, and so on.
- Handle gemstones and diamonds as little as possible.
- Remove jewellery such as rings and bracelets when doing housework or any manual labour.
How to clean gold & platinum jewellery
These cleaning tips are for all platinum and gold jewellery — including rose gold and white gold. Be careful of diamonds, pearls and gemstones though, as these all require extra special treatment.
- Create a soapy solution in a bowl using lukewarm water and a little mild washing-up liquid.
- Place your platinum and/or gold jewellery in the soapy solution and leave it to soak for 10 minutes.
- Remove your jewellery and scrub it gently with a soft-bristled brush to remove any stubborn dirt. Bristles can get into places your fingers can’t, and soft bristles ensure no damage or scratches.
- Rinse your gold or platinum jewellery in a bowl of lukewarm water to remove any soapy residue. Don’t be tempted to do this over the sink, as your jewellery could end up down the plughole!
- Dry your jewellery with a soft cloth, then wipe with a lint-free cloth to polish.
How to clean silver jewellery
Silver jewellery is famously prone to tarnishing, however this process can be easily slowed by a regular cleaning routine, and also regular wear. Silver tarnishes because it is an alloy containing silver itself alongside other metals, including copper. These metals react with the air over time, which results in the black surface covering we all know as tarnish. Luckily, it is easily removed, and your beautiful silver jewellery can shine brightly again after a quick clean. To clean:
- Soak your silver jewellery in a soapy solution of lukewarm water and mild washing-up liquid for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the jewellery in a bowl of lukewarm water.
- Dry the jewellery well, then polish it with a silver cleaning cloth, which will reveal the shine beneath.
Silver jewellery needs to be kept in dry conditions, away from chemicals such as perfume, chlorine, and cleaning products. Also, remember to pay special attention to silver jewellery featuring diamonds, pearls and gemstones, as these all need to be cleaned slightly differently.
How to clean diamond jewellery
Dust and skin oils are a diamond’s biggest problems when it comes to keeping that stunning sparkle it is known for, however both are easily removed following the steps below. Diamond jewellery is made to shine, so let it!
- Use lukewarm water and a mild washing-up liquid to create a soapy solution.
- Place your diamond jewellery, such as your engagement ring, in the soapy solution for 10 minutes.
- Remove your diamond jewellery from the soapy solution, and gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush. Pay special attention to hidden areas where dirt could collect, and ensure you clean all around raised diamond settings. At this stage, it is worth checking that your diamonds are secure, your claws and intact, and your mount isn’t damaged — checking this can save you from potential future heartbreak.
- Rinse your diamond jewellery in a bowl of lukewarm water until all the soapy residue is removed.
- Dry your diamond jewellery, then polish it to perfection with a lint-free cloth. Make sure you don’t touch your diamond(s) at this point, as oils from your fingers will ruin all your efforts.
How to clean gemstone jewellery
Gemstones vary in their cleaning routines. Most are safe to clean with a solution of mild washing-up liquid and lukewarm water, then drying and polishing with a soft, lint-free cloth. However, some must only be cleaned with a warm, damp cloth — these include amber, opal, pearl, emerald, peridot, tanzanite, turquoise, and coral. Please also note that these gemstones must not be placed in an ultrasound cleaner under any circumstances.
How to clean pearl jewellery
As mentioned above when discussing gemstones, pearls must be cleaned without the use of chemicals — this is because they are soft, porous and delicate. Pearls are far more prone to damage than metals or other gemstones.
Did you know that wearing your pearls will make them look better? This is because your skin’s natural oils will coat them, keeping them hydrated and helping to bring out their beautiful natural lustre.
However, sometimes they will of course need to be cleaned, and this is a simple process:
- Dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water.
- Wipe each pearl individually to remove any dirt, taking care not to tug on the string if it is a necklace.
- Dry the pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth, then store them flat, wrapped in a soft, dry cloth for protection from damage.
Look after your jewellery and it will serve you for many years to come.
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