Cleaning your Jewellery - Top Tips from Collectors in Balham

Posted on 06/01/2015

What is the Best Way to Clean Jewellery?

Jewellery not only tends to hold financial value for collectors in Balham, but sentimental value also. Therefore, no matter how rarely you may wear certain pieces, you’ll want to keep them looking pristine, in mint condition and brand new for as long as you can. Unfortunately, due to the fact it comes into such close contact with our skin, grime can built up and this can be difficult. In addition, the different metals which are used to make jewellery need different treatment. Luckily, there are simple ways to keep our jewellery looking as good as new for as long as possible. Jewellery collectors in Balham, SW12 recommend the following techniques.

Silver

An interesting way to clean silver with items you have in your home is the aluminum foil method. Line a bowl in the foil and fill it with warm water and a bit of powdered, bleach-free cleaning detergent. Let your silver jewellery soak in here for a while, rinse and allow to dry naturally on a towel. You can also use a baking soda solution to clean silver; mix with a small amount of water so it forms a paste and use this on a sponge to buff into the silver. Rinse clean and allow to dry naturally on a towel.

Another affective cleaning agent you may have in your kitchen cupboard is tomato ketchup. Soak the jewellery in a bowl of ketchup, then use a toothbrush to clean it thoroughly. Obviously, to avoid strange smells, rinse the jewellery afterwards. Vinegar works in a similar way, make a paste with vinegar and baking soda and buff into the silver using a sponge. Rinse afterwards and your silver should look shiny and new.

Gold

To clean gold, use clear ammonia mixed with warm water. Allow the jewellery to sit in the cleaning solution for a minute before wiping clean and allowing to dry. Similarly to silver, you can also use baking soda to clean gold; simply mix with vinegar, cover the jewellery, then rinse the jewellery clean and allow to dry on a towel.

A surprising method of cleaning gold involves beer. Simply pour some beer into a cup and let the item soak for a little while, then use a cloth to buff the metal until it’s clean. Obviously, rinse clean, as you don’t want your jewellery smelling of beer, and allow to dry on a towel.

Stones

To clean gem stones, like sapphires and rubies, soak the jewellery in a cup of club soda overnight. In the morning, rinse clean and allow to air dry. Interestingly, denture fluid works in the same way on diamonds. Soak a diamond ring overnight in the fluid and rinse clean in the morning to return the sparkle to your wedding ring. One collector from Balham shared, that toothpaste works in a similar way. Use a toothbrush and a little toothpaste to shine up the rock and wipe clean afterwards. Alternatively, vodka can also shine up gemstones beautifully.

Pearls

Pearls are pricey and keeping them as shiny and stunning for as long as possible is a must. Surprisingly, they don’t need expensive cleaning solutions to return them back to their former glory. Simply make a cleaning solution with warm water and a mild shampoo or cleaning detergent. Use this solution on either a small paint brush or makeup brush to clean up and shine the pearl. It’s important that you don’t use anything too abrasive, as pearls are notoriously delicate and you don’t want to damage the surface. Make sure you rinse it clean of shampoo cleaning solution afterwards and roll gently on a white towel to dry off.