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
This page contains the following solutions.
Scrub your good jewelry clean with an old toothbrush and some toothpaste. Rinse it clean in warm water and drop it into a small container of gin. Leave it for a couple of hours or overnight. Jewelry sparkles as good as new.
I was told by a reputable jeweler in our area many years ago to not buy the stuff they sell in the stores for cleaning gold jewelry. He told me to soak the jewelry in straight lemon ammonia.
When you need to clean tiny crevices of items, namely jewelry, earring backs, or any decor with fine detail I found that brush picks (in dental floss aisle in stores) works great.
I ran out of hand cream one day so I used my pharmacy brand of Oil of Olay. I noticed a few minutes later, that where my rings were, my fingers had black tarnish marks on them.
Take some toothpaste and use your hand or a brush of sorts and brush the jewel. Then rinse and by then you have a sparkling piece of jewlery.
Using a dry toothbrush and some cigarette ashes, brush your jewelery with the cigarette ashes, then take a soft cloth and polish clean. The ashes are so fine they work as an abrasive cleanser.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am looking for advice for cleaning jewelry.
By JOSEPH ALFIERI from NY
Try http://www.ehow.com
Use their search box at top of website.
Try this:
Mix 1 part ammonia with 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Put in your jewelry, swish it around for a few seconds, and rinse. As soon as the jewelry goes into the solution, you will be able to see the dirt and grime bubbling out. You might need to use an old toothbrush to get dirt out of intricate designs.
DO NO USE THIS SOLUTION FOR SOFT GEMS, SUCH AS PEARLS AND OPALS.
How do you clean jewelry worn by a smoker? I have some necklaces and earrings which need cleaning. Also pearls which are slightly brown and smell of smoke.
Soak them in a solution of warm water and baking soda. The baking soda will neutralize the smoke smell. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the jewelry. Rinse and air dry.
From about.com
Caring for Your Pearls
Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most other gemstones, so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition.
* Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.
* Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams. Good rule for all jewelry.
* Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off.
The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.
* Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes).
* Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
* Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner.
* Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.
You don't say what the other kinds of jewelry are, but basics are: silver jewelry can be cleaned the same way as silverware. Either silver polish, a liquid type like "Dip" or Tarn-X, or the boiling water in an aluminum pan. No ammonia on silver; you can turn your silver permanently black.
Gold is much easier, you can use window cleaner or ammonia and warm water. One of my salesmen used to boil his wife's gold jewelry in just plain water. I don't recommend that because if the water boils out, the heat could shatter your stones and scar your gold.
Be careful of certain stones, though. Opal, emerald, pearls (as I mentioned above), mother-of-pearl, abalone, onyx shouldn't be put in commercial cleaning solutions as the solution may remove the finish from the stone.
No abrasives on the pearls! The soda is too harsh and will actually reduce the very thin outer layer which is the only part of value! The smoking stain is a tar, so you will need detergent treatments alternated with peroxide treatments. Repeat as needed. Detergents such as baby shampoo will be a gentle degreaser to dissolve, and peroxide will lift away the loosened tars. God bless you!
Can anyone tell me how to clean this old ring, rather than pay to have it done at a jeweler's? Thanks.
By Anna
This is a page about cleaning diamond earrings. Keeping your diamond earrings brilliant and sparkly can be done at home.
Silver jewelry is very beautiful and complements your attire, whether formal or jeans casual. However, silver has a dark side, tarnish. This is a page about cleaning silver jewelry.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to clean diamond earrings/pendants?
