How to Clean Jewellery Safely and Cheaply
There are many different brands of jewellery cleaners on the market today. Depending on how your jewellery is made, these products may or may not be safe for your jewellery! Before using jewellery cleaner, take a good long look at the jewellery and try to determine what it is made of.
We recommend the following procedures should you wish to clean your jewellery yourself. With any diamond, ruby or sapphire jewellery:
• Make a solution of 5% household grade ammonia, 5% dishwashing detergent and 90% boiled water;
• Place your jewellery in this solution and soak for 30 minutes;
• Follow this by using a toothbrush to gently scrub up and under the setting;
• Dip the brush in the solution occasionally; and
• Finally, rinse the jewellery under a warm tap and dry well with tissues.
Note that this process should not be used for emeralds, pearls, opals or any other soft or porous stone. Simply wipe the stone with a damp cloth, then use a soft polishing cloth to give it back its shine. Never soak any of your jewellery overnight. It isn't necessary, and it may harm the jewellery. Again, it is important to know what gems are used in your jewellery, and how the piece was constructed before determining how you will clean it.
For silver jewellery, place the jewellery (or silver cutlery) in a dish lined with aluminium foil and cover with boiling water with a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate added to it. Let it stand for about 15 minutes. When the water has cooled, you will find that the tarnish from the silver has transferred to the aluminium foil. Rinse your items and dry them well.
Finally, when you are not wearing your jewellery store it in a jewellery bag. Don't expose jewellery to harsh chemicals or perfumes as this could cause damage and discolouration. Also, don't wear jewellery when doing anything heavy duty and avoid unnecessary knocks and scratches.