In order to know how to clean a piece of jewelry, you must first and foremost find out what material it is made of. Different metals should be cleaned in different ways and in addition, one and the same piece of jewelry can include several different materials, which places slightly higher demands on proper cleaning and polishing. Here is a guide on how to find out what materials are included in your jewelry in order to choose the right cleaning and cleaning method.
How to clean plastic jewelry
There are plastic jewelry that has covers that make them look like metal jewelry. If you start polishing this type of jewelry then the cover will soon disappear and then the jewelry will be destroyed. If the jewelry or part of it is plastic then this should be included in the product description, but it is clear that you can feel the difference as the plastic is good much lighter than metal is.
How to clean jewelry with stones and crystals
It is also important to consider what type of stones and crystals have been used and, above all, how these have been attached to the jewelry. With diamonds, you usually don’t have to think about it with dipping the jewelry in a water bath with soap, but with crystals and stones, it is often the case that you have attached them with glue that can be damaged by water and soap. When it comes to simpler stones, pieces of glass, and even finer Swarovski crystals, you should always expect glue to be included in the picture and avoid exposing the jewelry to water.
How to clean silver jewelry
Let’s start with the silver that is, after all, quite easy to identify. Silver jewelry is marked with codes like 925, S952, SF and S. 925 stands for 92.5% silver and this silver is also called Sterling silver and it is a very popular material. If you have a piece of jewelry that you know is made of silver but you can’t find the code on, you can test with a magnet. Silver will not stick to the magnet as other metals do.
When you have found that it is silver, you know that you have to polish the piece with trimming or use another method such as baking powder and aluminum.
How to clean stainless steel jewelry
Stainless steel is becoming increasingly popular in jewelry and it is not that strange. You get the beautiful silver color and you avoid the oxidation that makes silver black. In addition, the nickel found in the stainless steel is so tightly bound that even nickel allergists can wear jewelry of this material. Despite the name, it is so that stainless steel can rust. If you expose this steel to extremely high moisture, it can also eventually be discolored by rust, so it is important to handle steel jewelry properly.
Stainless steel is carefully washed in water with a little soap solution and then you make sure to dry thoroughly.
How to clean jewelry with beads
Beads feel good to be used frequently and close to the skin. Store your beads on a soft surface and not with anything that can scratch the bead, but not in cotton, which dries out about 2% of the water contained in the bead. Do not store beads in airtight containers as they can then become dehydrated and crack. If you rarely use your beads, you can sometimes moisturize them with a little olive oil to prevent dehydration and maintain luster. Do not expose your pearl jewelry to strong chemical agents and also avoid cosmetics, skin lotions and hair sprays.
Do not place cultured beads on cold or warm substrates as the core can crack off the temperature change.
Do you want to clean your pearl jewelry – then mix some water and mild non-perfumed soap in a bowl. Gently wash the bezel and bead with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with water and allow to dry on a soft cloth. Beads are made up of water and proteins, more specifically 91% calcium carbonate, 6% organic material, 2% water and 1% mineral salt.
