Jewelry pieces usually tarnish with time affected by environment.
What should we do to restore the original glitter of our jewelry? Our Rough&Polished correspondent asked some of Antwerp jewelry vendors to answer this question.
To prevent jewelry from tarnishing experts first of all recommend keeping your pieces in specially designed boxes which protect jewelry from staining and shocks. Spiky jewelry pieces, as for instance earrings, should be kept separately so they do not damage the surface of other items. Bracelets and necklaces should be laid in circles and properly fixed.
In case your silver pieces turn black experts advise to make them bright using a small amount of regular toothpaste. Clean your jewelry cautiously avoiding excessive pressure and taking care of stones. Wash off the toothpaste with warm water and then blot your pieces dry with a bath towel.
According to experts, the same cleaning method may be applied to gold jewelry – toothpaste will also make your pieces glitter.
As for stainless steel jewelry, such items should be put into a wash tub laid with aluminum foil. Fill it then with boiling water adding some cooking soda. After this rinse your jewelry in water with added vinegar and rub.
To remove green patina on copper jewelry use lemon juice to wipe it and vinegar to clean your pieces.
While cleaning pearls keep it in mind that they are very fragile. This is why experts recommend using very soft soap for cleaning and warn against wearing pearl jewelry when taking shower, doing your makeup or applying perfumes.
For cleaning metal parts of your pearl jewelry you should resort to services rendered by jewelry vendors otherwise you risk to damage your pearls using some cleaning agents.
Experts also warn against soap for cleaning corals and amber also used to grace jewelry pieces. These organic articles should be only wiped with a soft piece of tissue.
Generally, experts recommend a half-an-hour respite after you do your makeup or use perfume or eau de toilette. Only then you may put on your jewelry, for this time will be necessary to absorb or evaporate substances contained in your facial care products and perfumes, which are harmful for jewelry.
Alex Shishlo, Rough&Polished European Bureau Editor from Antwerp
