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Jewelry Care and Cleaning*

Over time the natural oils from skin, air born contaminants, moisture and corrosion will tarnish the shine and luster of jewelry.  Proper cleaning can improve the condition and longevity of favorite pieces.

Please note that different metals and stones require different cleaning techniques.  So it is important to follow the instructions relevant for each piece of jewelry.

Also please note that if a piece of gold or silver jewelry contains softer porous gemstones, pearls, and/or crystals, it is very important that the instructions for cleaning gemstones, pearls, and crystals, and not the metal, should be followed.

Before cleaning any jewelry, the settings in each piece should be carefully examined to ensure they are secure and well fastened.  Dust should be removed from both the jewelry and cleaning cloths, to minimize the risk of scratching during the cleaning process.  Remove any dust from the jewelry to help prevent scratching during the cleaning process.  A jewelry cloth, 100% cotton cloth or flannel cloth can be used to remove dust.  Avoid using paper products such as tissues; they contain particles of wood that can scratch the gold or silver surface.  Afterward, shake the cloth well to remove loose dust.

Care

Apply any perfume, other sprayed substances or lotions before putting on jewelry.  Remove jewelry before using any product that contains bleach, ammonia, alcohol, chemical products, ammonia, acetone (such as in nail polished), turpentine or paint thinner.  Avoid wearing jewelry while in a swimming pool or hot tub. 

Cleaning Techniques

Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry

To clean sterling silver jewelry that does not include any soft gemstone, pearls or crystals, put the silver jewelry in warm water containing a few drops of a mild phosphate-free detergent.  Gently brush the jewelry with a soft brush (such as a baby brush) or jewelry brush to remove any remaining grime.  Carefully and thoroughly rinse the jewelry in warm water to remove the detergent solution, and thoroughly and gently dry the jewelry with a soft 100% cotton or flannel cloth.  Use a silver-polishing jewelry cloth to remove any tarnish.  Use a clean cloth, or a clean section of a previously used cloth, so that the silver is not scratched. 

Silver jewelry pieces that are extremely tarnished or corroded should be taken to a jeweler to be professionally cleaned.

Cleaning Gold Jewelry

To clean gold jewelry that does not include any soft gemstones, pearls or crystals, put the gold jewelry into warm water containing a few drops of a mild phosphate-free detergent.  Rub gently with fingers or a cotton swab.  If necessary, use a very soft brush (such as a baby brush) or jewelry brush to gently clean the items while they are in the water.  Carefully and thoroughly rinse the jewelry in warm water to remove the detergent solution, and thoroughly and gently dry the jewelry with a soft 100% cotton or flannel cloth.  Once the jewelry is dry, if it looks dull, rub it gently with a polishing cloth that is made for gold jewelry.  Use a clean cloth, or a clean section of a previously used cloth, so that the gold is not scratched.

Gold jewelry pieces that still look dull after cleaning may be scratched and in need of extensive polishing.  These pieces should be taken to a jeweler to be professionally cleaned. 

Silver-plated Jewelry

To remove tarnish from silver plate, use the same techniques or solutions that you would with solid sterling silver items. However use the least amount of polishing as necessary, because any process that removes tarnish also removes amounts of silver on the surface.  Silver-plated jewelry that has become scratched or tarnished also can be re-plated by a jeweler to restore its beauty.

Gold-plated Jewelry

Instructions about how to clean gold jewelry do not apply to gold-plated jewelry.  The surface of gold-plated jewelry is very delicate, and once the surface has rubbed off and the base metal is exposed, the jewelry will tarnish.  Attempts at cleaning to remove the tarnish risk removing any gold-plating that remains.

Because the surface is so delicate, it is best to clean gold-plated jewelry by wiping it lightly with a damp cotton cloth or cotton swab to remove surface dirt or dust.  To restore shine, rub very gently with a polishing cloth that's made for gold.  (Harder rubbing or using abrasive polishing cloths will remove more of the gold-plating.)

Gold-plated jewelry that has become scratched or tarnished also can be re-plated by a jeweler to restore its beauty.

Crystal Jewelry

After each use, gently wipe the piece of jewelry with a damp cloth.  If additional cleaning is needed, dip a cotton swab into water containing a few drops of window cleaner and lightly wipe any problem spots off specific crystals.  Lay clean crystal jewelry on a cotton cloth to air dry.

Never immerse crystal jewelry in water, and never use a toothbrush or an ultrasonic, ionic or steam cleaner to clean crystal jewelry.

Jewelry by Alexis Bittar

Alexis Bittar’s Lucite jewelry is very delicate, and exposing it to water will cause the paint seal to disintegrate or peel off.  Avoid direct contact with water (fresh or salt) and excessive perspiration.  Limit exposure to the sun, as the color of the Lucite and some gemstones may fade if constantly exposed to the sun.  Alexis Bittar recommends that after each use, the piece be gently wiped with a soft cloth before storage in a jewelry box.

Alexis Bittar collections also consist of different kinds of metal such as plated brass and gold-filled.  The metal may darken or tarnish with normal wear.  Alexis Bittar recommends gently wiping the metal surface with a polishing cloth.  Avoid excessive polishing as it will rub off the plating, and avoid cleaning products and jewelry cleaning equipment (e.g., ultrasonic cleaners).

Jewelry Cleaning Equipment

Jewelry cleaner equipment may also be used for silver, gold, and harder gemstones, but never for jewelry with softer, porous gemstones, pearls or crystals.  Most jewelers have experience with various types of automatic cleaning equipment, such as an ultrasonic, ionic or steam cleaners, and can advise as to whether such cleaning is safe for specific pieces of jewelry. 

Storage of Jewelry

Sterling Silver

Store sterling silver in an airtight zip-lock polyethylene bag or anti-tarnish cloth to minimize scratching and inhibit tarnish.  Keep stored jewelry away from extreme heat or moisture.  Avoid storing sterling silver jewelry directly on wood surfaces, or in a card board box or on paper.  Wood usually contains acids that can mar the finish of sterling silver, and card board and paper contain sulfur producing compounds that increase the rate of oxidation.

Gold Jewelry

Keep each piece of gold jewelry separate from other jewelry to avoid scratches. If the jewelry is a delicate gold chain, hanging it from a hook will keep the chain from getting tangled. Alternatively, stretch the chain out onto jeweler anti-tarnish tissue, roll up the tissue, and then place the roll in a jewelry box, lying flat.

Crystal Jewelry

Keep each piece of crystal jewelry separate from other jewelry to avoid scratches.  Store crystal jewelry in individual pouches.  Store silver jewelry containing crystals in an airtight zip-lock polyethylene bag or anti-tarnish cloth to inhibit tarnish. 

Alexis Bittar recommends that after each use, the piece be gently wiped with a soft cloth and stored in individual pouches in a jewelry box.

*The information on this site is intended as a general reference for internet users.  It is made available on the understanding that Zoey Bloom, as a result of providing this information, is not engaged in providing professional advice and makes no guarantees.