How to Clean Jewellery

Jewellery is not just an accessory, it is an expression of style and can carry a lot of sentiment, whether it’s a family heirloom or special gift for yourself. Over time your jewellery may lose a little shine, especially with everyday wear, but there’s no reason why jewellery shouldn’t always look its best. In this guide we discuss how to clean your jewellery depending on the type of metal and how to store it. 

Cleaning silver jewellery 

Sterling silver is a timeless classic but is prone to tarnishing which can cause your jewellery to look dull pretty quickly. Tarnishing is often accelerated with exposure to direct sunlight and moisture. But luckily the tarnish won’t damage the actual silver, it just takes away the shine. To avoid tarnish building up it’s best to keep your silver jewellery in an airtight container out of direct sunlight. 

A simple and effective way to clean silver jewellery is using washing up liquid and warm water, then leaving it to soak for 10 minutes. After soaking, use a soft cloth or cotton bud to gently clean the jewellery before rising in clean water and dry with a lint-free cloth. It’s important to note that you should not use any abrasive products that could scratch the silver. 

Cleaning gold jewellery 

Gold jewellery will age depending on the purity of the gold. A 24ct gold piece of jewellery is pure gold and not mixed with any other metals. Because of this, it won’t tarnish but a high purity means a softer metal which is more likely to result in marks or scratches. Whereas 18ct or 9ct gold jewellery is mixed with other metals making it more durable but more likely to tarnish. 

Due to the softness of gold, it’s important to not use any abrasive products. Just like with silver jewellery, you can clean gold jewellery by using warm water, washing up liquid and a soft cloth. Once clean, rinse the gold with water and dry with a lint-free cloth.   

Cleaning diamond jewellery 

Diamonds are one of the hardest natural materials, but care must be taken to keep them sparkly and clean. It’s best to avoid touching the diamonds as grease and dust are the two main causes of a dull appearance. 

To clean diamond jewellery, use warm water, washing up liquid and a soft brush to reach less accessible areas. Once clean, dry with a lint-free cloth. Never use abrasive products or boiling water as this can cause damage to the diamond. 

If you want to make your diamond really sparkle, we provide diamond dazzle sticks that will make your diamond sparkle and shine. All you have to do is twist the stick, apply with the brush and watch it dazzle. It’s a convenient on-the-go option to keep your diamonds sparkling everywhere you go.

How to store jewellery 

We’re all probably guilty of leaving our jewellery lying around in a drawer or even a pocket and then we wonder why it’s all tangled! Storing your jewellery properly can help to prolong its longevity. A jewellery box with separate compartments or pouches is the ideal storage solution. Not only does it prevent jewellery from getting tangled but also avoids any damage or scratches. 

For larger items like necklaces, a jewellery stand is also a great choice to prevent jewellery from getting tangled. Just remember to place it away from direct sunlight to avoid any tarnishing and get the duster out every now and then. 

Book a professional clean 

If you’d rather your jewellery be professionally cleaned, we can help. We have a fantastic in-store cleaning facility that will clean and polish your jewellery in no time. Whether it’s a simple gold necklace or an intricate diamond ring, we will make your sure jewellery sparkles. Book an appointment online today or simply pop into our London Street store in Norwich.