TODAY Style has consulted these professionals to determine once and for all when you can clean your jewelry at home (with some DIY cleaning tips) and when you should trust the pros.
Jewelery cleaning 101
Think of your jewelry as clothing: no two pieces are alike, and all come with a unique set of cleaning guidelines . This means that some of your jewelry can be cleaned at home, while others require the attention of a professional.
"Gold and sterling silver can be cleaned at home, but more sensitive metals like platinum resist small scratches more easily than other metals, while many enjoy the unique dull appearance, if you want to maintain the shiny appearance of your piece, a professional polish is the best," said Kathryn Money, vice president of strategy and marketing for the jewelry brand. Bright earth
In general, jewelery made of precious metals is cleaned with diamonds, sapphires and rubies with most commercial jewelery cleaners. You can also clean that kind of jewelry with mild soap and warm water, says Elizabeth Doyle, co-founder of the Doyle & Doyle jewelry brand.
Opals, coral, turquoise and pearls, on the other hand, are gemstones that you should always send to professionals. "Some cleaners can damage them, and old jewelry can also be difficult to clean, for example, gems with closed frames from the Georgian era can not get wet," said Doyle.
Do not you know how often you have to clean your favorite jewelry? Take a good look at it. When they start to lose their brightness, it is a clear signal that it is time to update them. The frequency of wear and the complexity of the design can also play a role in the frequency with which cleaning is required.
"I encourage customers to inspect and clean their parts every six months to a year to make sure all the claws are still in good condition and have not been pinched or moved," said Jane Berg, founder of the Jane Mountain jewelry line Collection .
How do you clean your own jewelry?
It is simply impractical to take any gem for a professional cleaning every time you notice that it looks a bit boring. But is it really safe to clean your jewelry at home? Where do you start?
On the one hand, keep things simple!
Older systems such as soap and water can work wonders to clean jewelry and can be safely used on most of your favorite items. "For fine jewelry and jewelry, you can use simple household items such as hot water, mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush to clean your jewelry, and then dry with a soft cloth.
If your jewelry is dirty enough, you can soak a bit to really relax this dirt. Then dab it gently and place it on a clean, soft cloth to completely dry it.
This method works well for most of your diamonds, gems and semi-precious stones (like sapphires) and gold jewelry. Or, Money suggests creating your own six-part soft DIY solution for ammonia in one part and applying it with a soft bristle brush. "Rinse well with warm water and dry with a soft cloth," he said.
- diamond rings
Wondering how to treat these precious diamond rings? Use a mix of DIY treatments and thorough cleaning by professionals. "You can clean your jewelry with a toothbrush and a mild liquid soap, but I also find that the diamond pieces are in very hot water and soak them for a minute to dissolve the oils accumulated in your body." Skin or lotion. ,
- Pearls and emeralds
On the other hand, pearl and emerald jewelry should be cleaned and dried with a mild soap solution. Then wipe your beads with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Old jewels
If you like antique jewelry, be careful when cleaning and using them!
"I recommend taking special care in using and maintaining old jewelry, as it can be daintier than current designs," Money said. Avoid wearing beautiful vintage jewelry when working near chemical products or in the shower. Some old rings can be cleaned with warm water, mild soap and a toothbrush. flexible, but some older pieces should not be submerged in water. "
The money is nice and it seems bright, but it also has a way to all his imperfections to blatantly show . To keep your silver jewelery clean, gently wipe the piece with a jewelry cleaning cloth. Then rinse the silver gently with warm water and dry it carefully. Deal with extended spotting? Try cash or send it to a jeweler.
- White gold
White gold jewelry is usually designed to provide a light white finish, but everyday use can lessen the shine over time, exposing the natural yellow-white tone of the metal down. "Many people still use white gold for a long time after the rhodium plating has worn out, but they also have the option of professionally plating their jewelry to look radiantly white," Money said.
Cleaning wipes are always an excellent option to keep your jewelry fresh! Looking for the perfect? Try a suede or microfibre cloth to clean the jewelry, and a polishing cloth to shine the metal.
Real jewels for luxury jewelry
You can not spend the same kind of money on luxury jewelry as on fine jewelry, but that does not mean that you are not dealing with them. Since they are not manufactured by experts, costume jewelery has its own cleaning rules and should always be cleaned with more moderation and softness.
"Because the stones often stick together, too much cleaning can weaken the glue and cause the stones to fall." The jewelry is usually made of a base metal with a leaf on top. "If you rub a coin, it can wear off over time," Doyle said. "Whenever possible, jewelry should be cleaned with a soft cloth, and the room should only be cleaned with a liquid detergent if it is absolutely necessary and not necessary."
On the other hand, fine jewelry can and should be cleaned more often. Every time your most expensive pieces look dirty or start losing their shine, it's time for a little TLC.
"If the stones appear boring, it is a good indication that dirt and grease build up under the stone, which not only damages the beauty of your jewelry, but does not do any good to the frame or the stone Loosen teeth and the dirt that has accumulated under the stones can also cause skin irritation, "said Doyle.
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