A few Things to Keep in Mind Before Cleaning

No matter how new or beautiful your jewelry is, over time it will become dull, dirty or tarnished from skin oils, dust, moisture and corrosion. Thankfully, there are some simple and effective cleaning techniques you can use to improve the look and luster of your favourite pieces. Here are some tips from Empire Jewelers' experts on how to clean and care for your favourite jewelry pieces.

A Few Words of Caution

It's important to know that different precious metals and gemstones require different cleaning techniques, so be sure to follow the cleaning instructions for the type of jewelry you want to clean. If you have a gold or silver piece with a gemstone, follow the cleaning instructions for the gemstones, not the metal, as gemstones may be more delicate.

A few things to keep in mind before cleaning:

• Make sure the setting of your piece is secure and well fastened, so you don't damage or lose a valuable gemstone during cleaning.
• Use a soft, lint-free jewelry cloth or light cotton cloth to remove dust or other contaminants from the piece, as they may cause light scratching during the cleaning process.
• Do not use harsh, abrasive cleaners such as chlorine and ammonia, especially on opaque gemstones. Porous stones will absorb the chemicals and damage the stones. Use a mild detergent instead.
• Avoid using tweezers, pins or other sharp objects to remove dirt and grime, as they may damage the stone or setting.
• Do not clean your jewelry over a sink, as a stone could come loose and fall into the pipe.
• If you have an expensive and valuable piece, consider having a professional clean it to avoid damage.

Cleaning Gold

Soak the gold jewelry in warm water with a mild detergent solution for one to three minutes. Next, gently brush the jewelry with a soft tooth or jewelry brush to remove dirt and grime. Carefully rinse the gold piece in warm water to remove the detergent, then dry with a soft jewelry or flannel cloth.

Cleaning Silver

Silver can build up tarnish often. To create an inexpensive silver dip solution, line a small bowl with aluminium foil. Place the silver piece in the bowl and cover with a small amount of baking soda so you can barely see the jewelry. Pour hot water over the jewelry and wait for the bubbling to stop. After the solution has stopped bubbling, rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. Repeat five to six times on badly tarnished pieces.

To clean silver jewelry which contains gemstones, soak the piece in a solution of mild detergent and warm water for one to three minutes. Then gently buff small sections of the jewelry without touching the gemstones. Rinse and dry. If the piece is heavily tarnished, it may require a special silver cleaning paste or professional cleaning.

Cleaning Gemstones

As most gemstones are porous and delicate, create a solution of warm soapy water with a small amount of baby soap. For softer gemstones, wet a soft cloth and clean the gemstone rather than soaking it. For harder gemstones, gently scrub away additional grime. Dry the gemstone completely to remove any remaining chemicals.

Cleaning Diamonds

For diamonds not in a metal setting, gently clean the diamond with a solution of ammonia and water. For diamonds in metal settings, soak the piece in a solution of warm water and mild detergent for two to five minutes. Gently scrub the diamond with a soft toothbrush or jewelry brush. Then, rinse the diamond in warm water to remove remaining detergent. Buff the diamond dry with your cloth.

Cleaning Pearls

Before cleaning a pearl necklace, make sure the pearls are secure. Create a solution of warm water and mild baby soap. Place the piece in the solution for one to three minutes. Rub dry gently with a soft jewelry or cotton cloth, as pearls can scratch easily.

Empire Pawn of Nassau Makes It Easy

Many people today are looking to sell their gold, jewelry, or other precious items, many for the first time as an alternative source of cash.

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