The best way to clean jewelry is to use an electric toothbrush and vinegar (or you can use commercial jewelry solution, Windex, or even toothpaste)
You will find this deep cleans all the nooks and crannies where gunk gets built up through time. I find this works much better than using those little brushes that come with cleaning solution. Also, it is easier for people with arthritis/pain in their hands.
I have a couple of rings I can't get off, so I just clean them using this method while they are still on my fingers. I turn my diamonds around so that they are facing up on my palm side so I can hold them steadier.
By ann from Goulais River, Ontario
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This works great with watch bands that are stretchy and get gook down in them. It is easier to do if you are wearing them and stretch each link out to get into the crevices. Be sure not to get the watch part wet though.
Works fine unless you're cleaning something with pearls or soft gemstones like opals. Opals are often made into a doublet, a thin slice of opal with a clear quartz cover. A triplet also has a backing material for additional stability. A side view will show you if it's solid opal.
Check the hardness of gemstones online before getting aggressive with them. Also, any abrasion will damage plated metal. Gold and silver plate have become quite popular since precious metal prices went through the roof. By law, all precious metal has an identifying stamp. I'd check for plating before I used this technique.
Sterling silver jewelry is usually stamped 925. A 925 stamp on a gold color piece means sterling silver with a thin gold plating. Modern silver plate jewelry doesn't have nearly as thick a layer of silver as Granny's old silver plate flatware. Use a soft polishing cloth on plated jewelry.
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