Whether it’s a unique piece or just a piece that you love to wear often, jewellery looks its best after a good clean. Specific types of jewellery is also more prone to getting dirty, rings being the prime suspect. Lotions, dirt, soap and dust can all clog jewellery settings and create a dull appearance.

Since we will all be spending some additional time at home, we might as well use this time to care for and clean our jewellery – here are some top tips.

Cleaning Silver Jewellery

The best way to clean silver jewellery is with a high-quality silver polish. This specific type of polish contains ingredients that dissolve dirt and grime and create a protective barrier. You will also need a cloth that you can use to clean and shine the jewellery. If you don’t have this lying around the house, there are some other ways to get your silver to shine once again. One option is to mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water, clean the jewellery and rinse it off with cold water. The second is to mix three parts baking soda with one part water and use a cloth to clean the jewellery. Don’t forget to rinse well. Lastly, you can also use white toothpaste to gently clean jewellery with your finger. Rinse well with warm water afterwards.

Cleaning Gold Jewellery

Gold jewellery also responds really well to a few drops of dish soap in warm water. Let your jewellery soak in this solution for about 5 minutes before you lay them on a soft cloth. You can now use a soft toothbrush to clear away dirt in some of the smaller crevices. Rinse the jewellery under running water before you polish it with a cloth.

Cleaning Stones and Pearls

Precious and semi-precious stones can be cleaned in the same way as mentioned above but instead of using regular warm water, add the dish soap to some seltzer water. The carbonation works really well for loosening trapped debris. You can also use a soft toothbrush to get into the smaller gaps. Rinse the jewellery under running water before buffing it with a soft cloth. If you want to clean pearls, never soak them in any kind of solution as this can damage the string. Rather lay them on a soft cloth and use some shampoo mixed with warm water to clean each pearl with a small makeup brush. Rinse the pearls with a damp cloth and let them dry on their own.

Making Jewellery Last Longer with the Right Care

Here are a few tips that will help you to enjoy your jewellery for longer:

  • Take your rings off before you apply creams and makeup and before you do things around the house such as wash dishes.
  • Believe it or not, your silver jewellery retains its shine the more you wear it. It’s also best to store it in an anti-tarnish bag.
  • Keep your jewellery away from water that contains salt or chlorine.
  • Have your jewellery repaired by a reputable professional if you want it to last longer.
  • Stop oils and perfume from destroying your pearls by cleaning them with a soft cloth on a regular basis.

There you have it. Cleaning your jewellery at home is simple because there’s a good chance you already have everything you need. Now’s as good a time as any to care for your most treasured pieces.