How to clean silver and gold
If you enter “How to clean jewelry?” In the search box, you will find a ton of interesting tips. For example, toothpaste for diamonds, beer for gold, or ketchup for silver. Are we really trusting these recommendations?
Cleaning jewelry and silverware was an important process that was done regularly during the days of our grandmothers. Of course, nowadays few people will bother about the fact that jewelry needs to be periodically cleaned and wiped. But it really is. However, instead of blindly following instructions from the internet and experimenting with family heirlooms, it’s best to learn from a professional how to safely care for your jewelry.
“The best way to clean diamond jewelry is with warm soapy water and an old soft bristled toothbrush. And be sure to wipe the stone with a special dry cloth. But using toothpaste is not the best idea! Of course, it will not damage the diamond, but it can negatively affect the metal itself (silver or gold), ”advises Loretta Castoro, vice president of Jewelry Television international television network and buyer.
“Soap and chemicals can damage gold items. They form a film on the surface of the gold that makes the metal dull and dirty. Instead, you can, for example, add a few drops of a mild detergent to warm water, immerse the product in this solution and gently brush it with an old soft-bristled toothbrush. If the jewelry is heavily soiled, you can add a few more drops of ammonia to the soap solution. Then the gold piece must be rinsed under warm water and dried. It is not recommended to use chlorine. Gold can tarnish and lose its presentation, ”adds Loretta Castoro.
“Sterling silver is a very soft metal that can be scratched easily. To restore shine to silver jewelry, simply wipe it down with a polishing cloth or a clean sponge, ”advises Kathy Higginbotham, director of quality control at Silpada Designs (one of the largest manufacturers of silver jewelry and watches).
“Pearls will shine again if you dip them in a special solution for 10-15 seconds (dissolve 1 teaspoon of gel in a liter of water, intended for washing clothes made of wool and silk). Then the decoration must be gently wiped with a cotton cloth and left to dry. By the way, pearls should be stored in a special cotton bag, separate from other jewelry. And in order for the jewelry to remain shiny as long as possible, it is enough to regularly take it out of the box and “walk” it to the appropriate event, ”says Katie Higginbotham.
“For textured 14K gold jewelry, a special brush, found at any hardware store, and warm soapy water are great. Fine bristles perfectly clean the grooved surface of jewelry, and the brass metal from which the brush is made helps to polish the jewelry and give it a shine. But for silver jewelry with a complex design, you can use a special paste, and then a soft cloth for polishing, ”advises the famous jeweler Jessica Hicks.
“As for jewelry with turquoise, you need to clean it in warm water and then immediately wipe it down with a soft cloth. At the same time, the stone should not be completely immersed in water – it is very porous, so it can easily get wet and change color. Also, do not use detergents because they can discolor the stone, ”advises Carly Wickell, author of the Jewelry Guide.
At the same time, all experts agreed that you can use the tools that are at hand, and it is not necessary to run to the store for expensive products. However, you should not believe all the advice that is given on the Internet, let alone use toothpaste, ketchup, beer or starch – these products will not only not clean the jewelry, but can even harm them.