The effects of everyday life can diminish the brilliance of your jewelry. Whether it's fine or costume jewelry, you'll want to protect it and keep its shiny brilliance. Jewelry tarnishes with exposure to air, light and various chemicals. Here are some quick and easy tips to take care of your jewelry to prevent tarnishing, scratches and dullness.
Tip #1. Your jewelry should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Keep your jewelry dry. Avoid exposure to lotion, hairspray, make-up and perfume.
Tip #2. Do not wear jewelry in a pool or spa. Chlorinated water can react with metal causing it to change colour.
Tip #3. Avoid harsh chemicals cleaners, vinegar, ammonia, and toothpaste. Many home remedies are too abrasive & acidic and will actually damage your jewelry
If you find your collection needing a refreshing, here are some tried and true DIY methods. They are easy on your jewelry, pocketbook and the environment.
Method #1 - Use mild dish soap The classic mix of soap and warm water is an easy and effective way to clean gold and silver jewelry. Mix a few drops of dish soap, like Dawn Ultra Liquid Dish Soap (blue), with warm water. Drop in your jewelry and let it soak for fifteen minutes. Then gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush to get the dirt out of all the little nooks and crannies. Rinse with cool water and buff dry with a soft cloth.
Method #2 - Tin Foil, salt and Baking soda This DIY cleaner is for Sterling Silver, and it really works. Using ingredients you already have in your pantry, this concoction costs cents to make and doesn't use any harsh chemicals — just the power of science. A simple chemical reaction will clean your silver (for you science junkies out there, we are creating an electrochemical reaction that causes the silver sulfide atoms to transfer from the jewelry to a piece of aluminum.) Before you know it, your jewelry will be dazzling.
What you'll need:
Small bowl
1 tbsp salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 cups hot water
Aluminum foil
1. Line the bottom of your dish with aluminum foil - shiny side up
2. Place your jewelry on top of the tin foil
3. Sprinkle 1 tbsp salt and 2 tbsp baking soda over the jewelry
4. Now add the hot water and watch as the liquid fizzes.
5. Let it sit and watch it work. The reaction causes the tarnish to transfer to the foil and in about 5-10 minutes you'll see the tarnish magically disappear from the jewelry. (be prepared for the smell of rotten eggs, though, as the sulfide tarnish comes off the silver)
6. Remove your jewelry within 5-10 minutes (depending on your tarnish) and rinse with water, then dry and buff with a soft cloth. Voila! Your silver should be sparkling clean and ready to keep you looking fabulous.
IMPORTANT: Do not use this method to clean jewelry that contains stones or gems like diamonds, rubies, opals or pearls, as it could cause damage.
Lastly, I would like to share with you one of my favorite ways to clean jewelry; Connoisseurs Jewelry Wipes™. They gently polish - quick and easy, removing tarnish, build up and leave an anti-tarnish shield on silver. One disposable silver wipe cleans approx. 5 pieces of jewelry, with none of the mess of traditional creams, pastes & sprays. Available for purchase at Walmart.
Because you are part of H Studio Jewelry Insiders, we are offering FREE Jewelry Cleaning supplies!! Enter your information below to receive 1 Disposable Connoisseur Wipe and 2 Anti-Tarnish Strips by mail.
No purchase necessary. Limit one per household. Offer valid in Canada & USA
