You have the gold earrings you always lusted for, now it’s time to keep their luster. Learning the details of cleaning and caring for your jewelry will increase your chances of enjoying your diamond engagement ring, that stunning gold bracelet or any other meaningful jewelry piece for many years to come.
Care for gold pieces
Gold jewelry won’t rust, but without the proper care it can get dirty, scratched and look smudged. For a quick cleaning ritual, wash your gold earrings or any other gold piece in a little gentle detergent and water, rub with a soft brush to remove any build-up, rinse and then dry with a soft cloth (paper towel can scratch some softer metals, like rose gold).
Remember that beach sand, chlorine-based detergents and marble countertops can take away some of the shine and luster of gold pieces. Speaking of rose gold, this lovely metal needs extra gentle care. While it tarnishes more quickly than pure gold due to the copper content, it is also softer so should be polished with just a soft cloth to keep it shiny.
Care for diamond engagement rings
As the strongest stone ever and the ultimate symbol of eternal love, it’s really hard to scratch a diamond, but they still need care. Diamonds can chip or become loose from their setting if banged hard against a solid surface or dropped. Also, daily wearing can dull their gleam.
To quickly clean your diamond ring, mix 1-part ammonia with 8-parts water in a little bowl and let the ring submerge for 20 minutes. Use a very gentle brush and clean it delicately, being careful not to scratch the metal setting. Rinse under running water afterwards. An expert tip: try soaking your diamonds in a glass of vodka for 20 minutes. As long as you don’t drink it, it’s a quick, safe way to bring back the sparkle.
Care for Platinum Pieces
Platinum is a very durable metal, and while it doesn’t scratch or tarnish, it can develop a unique patina over time that turns its silvery sheen tone into a deeper grey hue. To properly clean you platinum piece, mix 1-part ammonia to 6-parts water and let it soak for 30 minutes. Brush with soft bristles and then rinse. Be sure to keep this solution away from any gems that may be embedded in your platinum pieces except diamonds.
Care for Gemstones
These colored beauties are not as strong as diamonds so they can scratch easier. When cleaning an emerald, just wipe away the dirt with a soft dry brush. Keep in mind that too much cleaning can actually lighten the gem. For sapphires and rubies, soak in a lukewarm solution of gentle dish detergent and water for 20 minutes. Rub with a very soft brush and then rinse in warm water.