Cleaning vintage jewelry is a process that should be done with great care, as much of this jewelry is one of a kind and costly or impossible to replace should it be broken or damaged. Below are some maintenance tips that will ensure your jewelry remains pristine for many years to come.

Remove Residue or Dust With A Soft Brush

Before applying solution to the jewelry, it is first important to dust it off. A soft brush is ideal for this, but even then you should be gentle as you don’t want the surface to become scratched. In some cases the dust may not be visible to the unaided eye, which means you’ll need to inspect it with a magnifying glass. Once the dust has been removed you can then apply the liquid.

Choose The Correct Cleaning Solution For The Metal or Stone

The type of cleaning solution you use should depend on the stone or metal the jewelry is comprised of. Their chemical composition means that if you use the wrong solution it could be permanently damaged. For example, gold tends to darken as the years go by, but it can be cleansed using a combination of water and ammonia. This same solution can be used on platinum. However, ammonia is exceptionally potent and if left on the metal for too long it can actually damage it. Using it requires skill which is why some owners leave it to the professionals. Silver is best cleaned with baking soda that has been diluted but should be applied gently as silver isn’t as strong as platinum and gold.

Gemstones such as diamonds or rubies can also be cleaned with ammonia so long as it has been diluted. The same is true for sapphires, but other stones aside from these three may vary, so it is recommended to do your own research to determine what cleaning solution is best. If your jewelry uses pearls, the best solution is your skin, which produces natural oil that will give them luster. Some people also clean pearls with olive oil.

Keep the Jewelry Dry

Maintaining dryness is extremely important when cleaning your jewelry. Once the product has been dusted and cleaned, no liquid must be left on it whatsoever. Moisture can cause serious problems in jewelry, especially metals, which are susceptible to rust or tarnish. Moisture and jewelry are like oil and water; they don’t work together. Some experts recommend suspending the jewelry or holding it upside down for at least fifteen minutes so that gravity can get rid of the moisture.

Use Polish and Jewelry Cleaner

You will want to purchase jewelry cleaner and place the solution onto a cloth which is soft. The cloth should not be too wet, but damp enough to thoroughly cleanse the surface. For crevices that the cloth cannot reach, use Q-tips. The final step is polishing it, which should be done with specialized cloth. This can usually be purchased from jewelry suppliers or stores. They are affordable and will go a long way to bring out your jewelry’s shine and luster.