Tried and Tested - How to Clean Your Jewellery at Home

Tried and Tested - How to Clean Your Jewellery at Home

I love making jewellery, it can last a lifetime and you can put it on and forget it! But, even our most cherished pieces sometimes need a little TLC.  So forgive me for asking, but when did you last clean your jewellery?

If you read my previous blog you'll know that I'm the first to admit that even jewellers don't always take the best care of their jewellery and I'm guilty of forgetting to take my necklace off before taking a dip.  The good news is that if your silver or gold is looking a little dull or tarnished, it can often be restored at home with a few simple cleaning methods using items you probably have in your cupboard.

So, why does silver tarnish?

Unlike gold, sterling silver naturally reacts with sulphur in the air, causing a dark layer of tarnish to form over time. Heat, humidity, sunscreen and everyday wear can all make it more noticeable, but don't worry—it's completely normal and you'll be delighted to know that in just 10 minutes you can bring those pieces back to life with a simple home remedy.

This method should only be used to clean silver and it's ok if there are diamonds or sapphires in the piece, you can still use this method.

This method should not be used if your piece contains Opal's or Pearls, if it's plated or oxidised (a deliberate black finish).

You also shouldn't use this method for gold or platinum, keep reading and I'll tell you the best way for this.

So, are you ready to be amazed!

The Tin Foil Cleaning Method

All you need is;

A Bowl
Tin Foil (Aluminium Foil)
Bicarbonate of Soda
Hot (not boiling) water
A soft cloth

 How to do it

1) Line your dish with the foil - shiny side up.

2) Place your jewellery in the bowl ensuring that it touches the foil (that's the chemistry)

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3) Add around 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate of Soda.

4) Carefully add hot (it doesn't need to be boiling) water.

5) Soak for around 5 to 10 minutes and allow the magic to happen.

6) Rinse thoroughly in clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

7) Finish with a polishing cloth if the tarnish is heavy.

The Science - if you wanted to know!

Over time silver reacts with tiny amounts of sulphur in the air, this can be sped up by the sweat from our skin, perfume, swimming pool and lotions. This forms a dark coating called silver sulphide, which is what we know as tarnish.

When you place the silver in a bowl lined with aluminium foil, add bicarbonate of soda and pour over hot water, the soda dissolves and creates a solution that allows electricity to flow. The aluminium and the silver then form a tiny electrical circuit.

Aluminium is a much more reactive metal than silver, so it willingly gives up electrons. These electrons travel to the tarnished silver and convert the silver sulphide back into pure silver. At the same time, the sulphur leaves the silver and attaches to the aluminium instead. Hot water speeds up the reaction - cold water would work but it would take much longer.

 

 

 

 

 



Okay - so what if you have gold jewellery or a platinum band!

The next method is a perfect and gentle solution for most other jewellery pieces.

Warm Soapy Water and a soft Toothbrush

What you need

  • Bowl
  • Washing Up Liquid
  • Warm water
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Soft Cloth

1) Add some washing up liquid to warm water to make a soapy solution

2) Add your jewellery and let it soak for 10 minutes.

3) Dip the toothbrush in the solution and brush firmly around your piece, particularly behind stones.

4) Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

You can use this method with pearls but don't fully submerge them, give them a dip and use the toothbrush.

Opals can easily crack so be sure to use room temperature water only.

Keum Boo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of my pieces have 24ct gold foil applied and fused into the surface of the silver, using the ancient technique of Keum Boo.

The Tin Foil Method is perfectly suitable for these pieces, however, as they have a satin finished look it's not advisable to use a polishing cloth, this would give the piece a shine and dull the contrast between the silver and the the gold.  

When to ask a professional?

These cleaning methods are great but sometimes your pieces might need a little extra lift. A professional jeweller can help 

  • Re - polishing - you have some deeper scratches.
  • Re - plating 
  • Re - Oxidising - the deliberate black finish has faded.
  • Stones need checking
  • If your piece has a specialised finish such as a frosted finished.

This oxidised chain may have become dull and need a freshen up.  I have the tools in the workshop to do this.

The Frosted Finish on this ring is applied using a specialist tool and may need re doing in time.

At DD & Mac I can re finish all of my pieces, just drop me an email or message and I can tell you how.

I hope you've found this useful and to make life as easy as possible, because let's face it life has enough challenges, you can print this handy guide to refer to when your jewels need a little freshen up.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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