Gold, silver, or pearls – over time, jewelry pieces lose their shine. Cleaning jewelry properly? No problem! GALA reveals how you can make your favorite pieces sparkle again.
No matter if it’s gold, silver, or pearls – jewelry can tarnish over time. In most cases, proper cleaning works wonders, but not all materials are the same and require different types of care. GALA spoke with jewelry and watch expert Jana Meyer to explain how to clean your jewelry properly.
Why Should You Clean Your Jewelry Regularly?
Regularly wearing jewelry can lead to soap residues and bacteria accumulating on precious pieces, resulting in unsightly deposits. Regular cleaning not only ensures basic hygiene but also extends the longevity of your personal treasures.
Helpful Everyday Tips for Jewelry Cleaning from the Expert
Jewelry and watch expert Jana Meyer knows how important it is to clean gold, silver, and pearl jewelry regularly. Simple tricks can help in daily care. These four tips make cleaning jewelry easier:
Four Helpful Tips for Cleaning Jewelry:
- Jewelry does not always need to be removed when washing hands – but only if it’s real, such as gold or platinum jewelry. Silver jewelry and anything made of copper or brass should be removed, as these metals can tarnish.
- If you leave on gold jewelry while washing your hands and it contains gemstones, the stone should be at least a diamond. Jewelry with colored gemstones or opals should be removed, as soap ingredients may damage the stones.
- Avoid using disinfectants or other aggressive cleaning agents, as they may damage the jewelry’s surface.
- If you prefer special cleaning solutions, use silver and gold cleaning baths from a jeweler.
Cleaning Tools You Need for Jewelry Care:
- Soft toothbrush
- Polishing cloth
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- For stubborn dirt: special gold and silver baths from a jeweler
Cleaning Gold Jewelry
Gold is a soft metal but is the easiest to clean. The best method is to wash gold jewelry under warm water with a little dish soap and a soft toothbrush. Avoid aggressive cleaners, hard toothbrushes, or home remedies like citric acid, as they may damage the jewelry’s surface.
Cleaning Silver Jewelry
A common method for cleaning silver jewelry is the aluminum foil trick. Line a bowl with aluminum foil and fill it with hot water. Add about two teaspoons of salt and place the silver jewelry in the water. The salt and aluminum create a magnetic reaction, lifting the sulfur tarnish off the jewelry and transferring it to the foil.
While this method is promising, avoid leaving the jewelry in the aluminum bath for too long, as it may cause damage. A safer alternative is using special silver polishing cloths, which can be found in retail stores. If no gemstone is present, the jewelry can also be placed in a silver bath.
Cleaning Pearls
Pearls are very delicate and should only be wiped with a soft cloth. Pearl earrings should always be removed before applying perfume or hairspray, as these substances can damage the pearl’s surface.
Cleaning Colored Gemstones and Opals
Like pearls, colored gemstones and opals should avoid water exposure. Only the colored gemstone itself can occasionally be cleaned with a little water.
Cleaning Watches
As long as they are waterproof, watches can be cleaned under warm water using dish soap and a soft toothbrush. It is important to dry the watch thoroughly afterward.
General Jewelry Care Tips
- Do not wear jewelry while doing household chores (cleaning, baking, etc.).
- Chlorine water can damage jewelry, so remove it before swimming.
- Store jewelry in a way that protects it from light and air exposure.
