6 care tips for real jewellery

Clean diamond jewellery with soapy water and a toothbrush

1. How do I clean platinum, gold, and diamond jewellery?

Gold, platinum, and diamonds are relatively durable materials. Dirt on jewellery made from these materials can be removed with lukewarm water.

And here's how: Moisten a special jewellery cleaning cloth or a clean eyeglass cloth with lukewarm water. Gently rub the jewellery with the cloth. Jewellery that is more heavily soiled can be cleaned more easily with a soft toothbrush.

Does the jewellery have residue from creams or oils? Then it helps to add a drop of dish soap to warm water. This way, greasy and creamy residues can be easily removed.

Rinse the cleaned jewellery with clear water and dab it dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

For the final touch, rub the cleaned jewellery with a special jewellery polishing cloth. Done!

2. How does silver jewellery become bright and shiny again?

Silver is more delicate than other precious metals. Lukewarm water with a bit of dish soap also works for cleaning silver jewellery.

Be careful with ingredients in creams, deodorants, and other cosmetics. Some of them speed up oxidative processes on the surface of silver. Did the silver jewellery come into contact with care products? Then, to be safe, wipe it off with a soft cloth soon after.

Is your silver jewellery already showing dark spots? Then a silver polishing cloth can help bring your piece back to a shiny glow. The downside of the cloth: it can't get into narrow grooves and tight spots.

Cleaning the little silver piece works with a bath of warm salt water and a piece of aluminum foil. Just put it in and wait five minutes. If the silver surface isn't clean yet, repeat the process with fresh water.

The bath triggers a chemical reaction that turns the black discoloration back into silver: silver sulfide is turned back into silver using water, salt, and aluminum foil.

Helps stop oxidative processes: Cleaning silver jewellery in saltwater with aluminum foil

3. Is there a method for cleaning colored gemstones?

Colored gemstones like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are more delicate compared to diamonds. Chemical cleaners can really damage these gemstones.

Cleaning with water and soap is not recommended. The slightly porous surface of the colored gemstones, which contains tiny inclusions, could allow the cleaning agents to seep in. The stone would then be damaged.

Also in ultrasoundbath colored gemstone has no place here. Under the influence of the high-frequency vibrations, it could break.

Simply wipe colored gemstones with a soft, slightly damp cloth. For care, put a few drops of oil on a lint-free cloth and rub the surface of the gemstone.

You can read about other things you should keep away from jewellery in this article.

4. Ultrasonic cleaning device – perfect for home

By using an Ultrasonic cleaning devices sound waves loosen even stubborn dirt from cracks, under settings, and in hard-to-reach spots. For sturdy jewellery, this is the most efficient “deep cleaning” between wearing periods. That’s why cleaning suitable jewellery at a professional always starts in an ultrasonic bath.

Suitable for cleaning with ultrasound are sturdy metal and diamond jewellery without special surfaces (e.g., antique oxidized). Not suitable for colored gemstones, pearls, corals, amber, delicate or glued parts, and fragile settings.

Are you unsure if your jewellery is suitable for ultrasonic cleaning? Then have it checked first or take it to a professional for cleaning.

Care tip: Use an ultrasonic cleaning device to clean jewellery quickly and efficiently

5. How much does professional jewellery cleaning cost?

Depending on the effort, having jewellery professionally cleaned costs around fifty euros. It's worth it if the precious piece shows obvious signs of wear. A professional cleaning also helps if the jewellery hasn't been cleaned for a long time.

Professional jewellery cleaning usually starts with a special ultrasonic bath that's suitable for precious metals and diamond jewellery. Of course, only if the jewellery doesn't contain any delicate gemstones. Ultrasonic cleaning makes it easy to remove dirt that's hidden away.

By subsequently rhodium plating, jewellery made of white gold and silver gets a super thin, protective surface.

Specially trained professionals polish the jewellery in the final step. After that, it shines like it did on the first day.

6. Storing and wearing jewellery properly

Anyone who loves their jewellery keeps each piece stored separately. This is especially important when the precious jewels are traveling. During transport, there's a risk that the surfaces might rub against each other and get scratched.

The best option is a storage box with compartments of different sizes. You can find special jewellery boxes in stores. In these, the jewellery is sorted into compartments designed for each type of jewellery. This way, it’s protected and neatly organized.

If you don't wear your silver jewellery for a while, you should store it airtight, for example in resealable plastic bags. Keeping out the air slows down the oxidation process – the silver jewellery won't tarnish, or at least not as quickly.

jewellery should always be taken off before going to bed. Otherwise, unintended mechanical stress on the delicately crafted pieces during the night can easily cause damage. Plus, constant contact with sweat and cosmetics can make jewellery dull.

A special occasion is coming up. And the new jewellery goes perfectly with elegant outfits! Just one thing to keep in mind: always put on jewellery made of precious metals only after applying lotion, perfume, and makeup. This way, the pieces won’t come into contact with cosmetics and styling products. Too much contact could otherwise make the surface of the expensive jewels dull quickly.

Learn more about things you better not do with jewellery.