Jewellery Cleaning Advice
JEWELLERY SPRING CLEANING
How to refresh and care for your pieces:
Spring is the perfect time to refresh and renew – not just your home but your jewellery collection too!
Over time everyday wear, dust, and exposure to lotions and perfumes can dull your favourite pieces. A little care and maintenance can bring them back to life, ensuring they sparkle like new. In this guide we will walk you through how to store and maintain your jewellery, so it stays beautiful for years to come.
Why spring cleaning your jewellery matters:
Removes built up dirt and oils – Lotions, perfumes and sweat can make metals and gemstones look dull.
Prevents tarnishing and damage – proper care extends the life of your jewellery. While cleaning your jewellery it is advisable to check for any signs of wear and tear. Check for worn or damaged claws, loose stones or clasps and be sure to get any repaired before precious stones get lost.
Revives sentimental jewellery – Family heirlooms or special pieces deserve a little extra love. If you have pieces which need to be repaired or re-sized, you can bring them to us here at RJ Morris and we can help you transform them and give them a new lease of life.
Declutters your collection – It’s a great time to organise and rediscover forgotten favourites. It could be worth considering selling items which you no longer use – we buy second hand gold and silver jewellery here at a very competitive price.
How to clean your jewellery safely:
GOLD – To clean gold jewellery mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Soak the jewellery for 10-15 minutes. Gently brush with a soft toothbrush and rinse. Leave to dry naturally on a lint free cloth. Remember gold is a soft metal that is susceptible to scratching.
SILVER – Use a silver polishing cloth to gently remove tarnish. Avoid harsh chemicals that strip silvers shine. You can also use a silver dip, especially for textured pieces. Make sure it is a product designed especially for silver.
GEMSTONE JEWELLERY – Soak in warm (NOT HOT) soapy water, then use a soft brush to clean around the settings. You can consider an ultrasonic cleaner. This works by emitting high frequency soundwaves into a vessel of water, thus creating bubbles which release the dirt and grime. However, it is not advisable to clean many gemstones this way – only diamonds, rubies and sapphires can be considered safe.
PEARLS AND DELICATE GEMSTONES – Wipe with a soft, damp cloth. Never soak pearls in water as it weakens their silk thread. Be careful not to pull pearls through the cloth and stretch the string. Dry with a lint free cloth. Store pearls separately to prevent scratching.
COSTUME AND FASHION JEWELLERY – Use a damp cloth to clean metal and glass elements. Avoid soaking as water can loosen glue and damage finishes.
If you are at all unsure, please come and see us at RJ Morris Jewellers for advice.
How to care for and store jewellery to keep it looking like new:
Take your jewellery off if you are going to do any activity that may knock, scratch or damage it.
Keep it away from chemicals, especially chlorine. Preferably remove jewellery before doing tasks like cleaning or washing up.
Bathe and use body lotions or perfumes before putting your jewellery on. Organic gemstones like pearls or opals are particularly vulnerable to acids.
Use anti-tarnish pouches or soft lined jewellery boxes to store your jewellery and prevent oxidation.
Separate delicate pieces to avoid scratching or tangling.
Keep jewellery in a clean dry place, away from moisture.
When to seek professional jewellery cleaning.
If your jewellery looks dull despite cleaning it may need professional polishing or repair. Consider bringing your pieces into us for deep cleaning and polishing, checking for loose stones or re-plating gold or rhodium finishes.
