How to clean jewelry
For many people, jewelry is a valuable investment and a way to express their personal style. However, with daily use and the accumulation of dirt, jewelry can become dull and lose its original luster.
This phenomenon of oxidation and consequent blackening is a natural phenomenon that affects all metal surfaces, even the most precious ones.
Fortunately, it is possible to eliminate this inconvenience through proper cleaning of the jewels, and give them a new light.
In this article, you'll find out how to clean your jewelry quickly and easily, keeping it in pristine condition for years to come.
You must know that each jewel, depending on the material it is made of, can be cleaned with special techniques.
Our primary advice is to entrust the cleaning of your jewels to your trusted jeweler, because he will have the specific tools and detergents for professional cleaning of your jewels.
That can also be an opportunity to have your jewelry checked and see if it needs minor adjustments, caused by normal wear and tear due to years of use.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to clean your jewelery yourself, it is still possible to do it safely and with good results - even without using specialized equipment.
Why it's important to clean jewels regularly
There are many reasons why you should clean your jewelry regularly:
- Keep your jewelery from becoming dull and dirty: If not cleaned regularly, your jewelery can become dirty and dull, losing its original luster. Also, failure to clean can cause a buildup of bacteria that could cause skin irritation.
- Avoid permanent damage to your jewellery: Regular cleaning of your jewelery can also prevent the build-up of dirt and limescale deposits which can cause permanent damage to your jewellery. For example, the build-up of limescale on jewelery can cause permanent tarnishing which cannot be removed with regular cleaning.
- Extend their life over time: Regular cleaning can extend the life of your jewelry over time. And since jewelery is a valuable investment, this will allow you to maintain its original condition for many years to come and avoid any jewelery repairs or replacements.
- Hold their value over time: Jewelery is often considered a long-term investment and its value can increase over time. Keeping jewelry in pristine condition can help ensure that it retains its original value or even increases in value over time.
How to clean jewelry at home
The ideal solution for cleaning jewelry at home would be to use a product specifically designed for the material of your jewelry. In this way you will be sure of obtaining a satisfactory result, without affecting the quality of your jewels.
In these cases it is important to choose a product suitable for the type of jewel you are cleaning. After that, just follow the instructions on the product packaging.
If you don't have a specific product for your jewel, the simplest and cheapest way to make them shine again is to use delicate detergents. This simple operation is valid both for cleaning gold jewelery and for cleaning silver jewellery:
- First, choose a mild cleanser like mild soap
- Soak the jewel for a few minutes in hot water with a small amount of detergent. If possible, boil it for a few minutes
- Before rinsing it, wait for the temperature of the object to return to normal, then remove any residual dirt with a cloth or brush
It is important to note that some jewels may require more thorough cleaning, perhaps in small creeks that are difficult to reach without special tools, or require special care in order not to get damaged during cleaning.
In that case obviously our advice is to contact your trusted jeweler.
Mistakes to avoid when cleaning jewelry
When cleaning your jewelry there are some mistakes to avoid to avoid damaging it. Here are some:
- Use harsh chemicals: Products like ammonia or bleach can damage your jewelry and make it dull, so it's important to avoid using them. Choose mild cleaners like mild soap or baking soda to clean your jewelry at home.
- Use abrasive tools: Brushes or abrasive tools can scratch or damage your jewelry, so avoid them when cleaning. Use a soft cloth to gently rub your jewelry.
- Avoid cleaning set jewelry with chemicals: If your jewelry has gemstones set, avoid using chemicals that could damage them. Choose a mild detergent and a soft cloth to clean them.
- Avoid Cleaning Your Jewelry Too Aggressively: While your jewelry may look very dirty, don't overdo it with cleaning. Scrubbing too hard or using force can cause permanent damage to your jewelry.
- Using products that are not suitable for your type of jewelry: Make sure you choose a product that is suitable for the type of jewelry you are cleaning. For example, if you have gold or silver plated jewelry, choose a delicate product that won't damage the coating.
How to store your jewelry
Storing your jewelry properly is important to keeping it in great condition over the long term. There are a few things you can do to protect them and keep them shiny:
- Avoid wearing your jewelry in thermal or chlorinated water, as these substances can damage your jewelry.
- Remove pearl or coral jewelry before showering or applying hair products or perfume.
- Store your jewelry in a safe and secure place, such as a pouch or container, to prevent it from getting damaged or tarnished. Make sure you keep your jewelry separate from each other to avoid scratches or damage.
- Avoid exposing your jewelry to direct sunlight or moisture, as this can cause the jewelry to tarnish. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place.
- Avoid wearing jewelry during particularly strenuous activities.
- It is advisable to remove the earrings before going to sleep.
- Be careful to wear rings of the right size, in fact rings that are too large can become oval or upside down and damage the precious stones.
Conclusions
In this article you have understood how regular cleaning of jewels is a fundamental activity to keep your precious ones in excellent condition over the years. You also understood how to clean your jewels quickly and easily and also how to store them and what mistakes not to make to avoid damaging them.
Remember that if your jewels are heavily oxidized and you want to carry out a professional cleaning, you can take them to your trusted jeweler, who will be able to restore light to these precious creations.
In our opinion at Vannini every jewel is a form of art, especially if made in an artisanal way, respecting the ancient goldsmith techniques; for this reason it is essential to take care of it.
In our goldsmith's workshop in Florence, you can contact our experts for advice on taking care of your gold, silver and precious stone jewellery. You will also find our goldsmith works: unique pieces created and handcrafted in our goldsmith workshop in Florence, according to the Vannini techniques, inspired by the noble Florentine Renaissance tradition.
If you want to discover our designer models - created and selected in our laboratory - you can find them on our website.
