How To Clean Your Jewellery Like a Pro
From our staple stud earrings we wear every day to those pieces we save for special occasions, everyone’s jewellery collection could do with a clean-up now and again. The best way to clean jewellery really comes down to what the piece is made of and whether or not it contains a precious stone. Luckily, the following guide contains everything you need to know to make sure all your pieces really pop.
Cleaning Gold and Silver
Gold and Silver jewellery is prone to tarnishing so will need a bit of TLC every six months or so. You can do this using a solution of warm water and normal dish detergent. Combine the two liquids in a suitable bowl and leave your jewellery to soak for 15 minutes. Next, use a cotton bud or fine, soft toothbrush to clean away any dirt before rinsing with water and drying with a cloth.
For silver jewellery, you can also use the following technique. First, line a bowl with aluminum foil then fill it with hot water and baking soda. If you let your silver soak in the solution for about half an hour a chemical reaction will occur that will make it look as good as new.
It's true that both of these techniques require some effort. So what do you do if you’re short on time? A quick wipe with a high-quality jewellery wipe will also do the trick. Connoisseur Jewellery Wipes are tried and tested. They’re dry, disposable and non-toxic and offer an anti-tarnish shield to help your jewellery retain its luster. Simply rub over your jewellery and you’re good to go.
Cleaning Diamonds and Precious Stones
Diamonds and precious stones can be cleaned following the same warm and soapy water method above but you should be careful to avoid the water being too hot as stones like emeralds, sapphires, and amethysts are prone to cracking if exposed to extreme temperatures. And it's important to remember that really delicate gems should only be submerged for a moment rather than being left to soak.
If it’s just the stone itself you want to brighten up, you should also try the Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik. The cleaning gel contains micro-fine cleansers and polishing agents that bring radiance and luster to diamonds whilst the special polymer fills in any tiny scratches. Simply rub the gentle bristles on your stone and watch it shine!
Cleaning Stainless Steel Jewellery
As stainless-steel jewellery doesn’t tarnish, you’ll only really need to clean it if you get it dirty. Which makes it a great alternative to more troublesome metals like gold and silver. If your stainless-steel jewellery does get dirty or loses some of its shine, again all you need to do is clean it using soap, water and a soft brush or cloth. Or alternatively, have a pack of Connoisseur Jewellery Wipes on hand for a quick and effective spruce up.