How to Clean Jewelry: Our Most Recommended At Home Solutions | Linjer Jewelry

Is your diamond ring looking a little dull? Have you noticed tarnishing on your favorite sterling silver necklace? While your go-to piece of jewelry was once brilliant, exposure to dirt, lotions, soaps, sweat, and water can cause it to temporarily lose its shine. Here’s our guide on how to easily clean different types of jewelry at home.

How to Clean Silver Jewelry

Known for its light, bright, and cool-toned appearance, sterling silver needs special care to prevent it from tarnishing over time. Here’s how to clean your sterling silver jewelry with a DIY solution or store-bought polish:

• With baking soda and water: Combine two parts baking soda with one part water to create a paste. Then rub the paste on your sterling silver jewelry and let it dry. Last, rinse and remove the paste and dry your jewelry with a soft cloth.
• With silver wipes: In addition to a DIY cleaning solution, you can try silver wipes that contain ingredients that dissolve and remove tarnish. These wipes are an affordable cleaning solution that you can purchase online.

How to Clean Gold Vermeil Jewelry

Gold vermeil jewelry is made of sterling silver with a very thick gold plating layer. This warm-toned metal could be prone to scratching, so it’s important to be a bit more careful when cleaning it. But, gold vermeil jewelry isn’t as prone to tarnishing, so you’ll only need to do a deep cleaning every few months depending on how often you wear your jewelry and the environment you live in.

We recommend cleaning gold vermeil jewelry with gentle dish soap and warm water:

• In a small bowl, combine non-chemical dish soap and warm water.
• Dip a soft cloth in the soap and water mixture and gently rub your jewelry clean.
• Afterwards, take another soft cloth dipped in warm water to remove any lingering soap.
• Gently pat the jewelry to dry.

How to Clean Gold Jewelry

Luxurious and long-lasting, solid gold jewelry isn’t as likely to tarnish as silver, and it’s simple to clean at home. Here’s how to clean your solid gold necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings:

• Small jewelry (rings and earrings): Put your small, delicate pieces of gold jewelry in a bowl with gentle dish soap and warm water.
• Submerge your jewelry into the solution and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Take a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove tarnish from any chain links or crevices. Remove the jewelry from the mixture and run it under warm water.
• Dry your pieces with a soft cloth.

How to Clean Gemstones

Over time, your gemstone jewelry can collect grime which may cover its sparkle. Follow these instructions to clean your semi-precious and precious gemstones:

The best way to clean gemstone jewelry with chemical-free dish soap and warm water:

• Mix the solution in a small glass bowl.
• Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in the solution, and gently scrub the stone where dust and dirt may collect.
• Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
• Pro tip: if your gemstones are set in prongs, be extra careful when cleaning the gem as a cloth may snag and tug on the prong, resulting in damage to the jewelry.

How to Clean Diamonds

Who doesn’t love a sparkly diamond ring? Over time and with repeated wear, diamond jewelry can also collect oil, debris, and residue, which reduces the iconic shine. While you can always take your diamond rings, earrings and necklaces to a jeweler for a professional clean, you also have the option of cleaning it home with these easy-to-follow steps:

The best way to clean diamonds is with chemical-free dish soap and warm water:

• Mix the solution in a small glass bowl and let your pieces sit in the solution for a few minutes.
• Take a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush the stone where dust and dirt collect.
• Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

How to Clean Pearls

Unlike semi-precious and precious gemstones, organic gemstones, such as pearls, are very delicate and require special care when cleaning.

Pearl jewelry should not be cleaned with any liquids, soaps, or water. To clean your pearls, we recommend gently wiping them with a soft cloth. Remember to always store your pearls in a cloth-lined box or pouch and keep them away from other jewelry, which may accidentally scratch them.

How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry

Not to be confused with rusting (a permanent damage usually seen on cheaper metals like brass), tarnishing occurs in jewelry when certain types of alloy metals (like the copper in sterling silver) chemically react with air or moisture, resulting in the formation of copper dioxide (a brown or black colouration on the surface). Whilst annoying, it is fortunately easily fixable at home!

The best way to clean tarnished jewelry is with baking soda and water:

• Mix the solution in a small glass bowl lined with tin foil and let your pieces soak in the solution for 5 minutes.
• Remove your jewelry pieces and place them on a paper towel.
• Pat dry and remove any excess residue with a soft towel.

Follow these easy tips and tricks to keep your Linjer jewelry looking as brilliant as the day you bought it! Remember to always remove your jewelry before showering, exercising, swimming, or working with your hands to prevent damage. For more tips on how to care for your jewelry, don’t forget to check out our Everyday Jewelry Care Guide.