How to Keep Your Jewelry Looking Its Best
Clients ask us all the time, “What can I do to keep my jewelry looking its best when I don’t have time to stop in?” Preusser Jewelers is here to answer your questions about how to clean diamond and colored gemstone jewelry.
Soak
Diamonds and most colored gemstones set in gold or platinum are really easy to clean. Add about 2 tablespoons of ammonia to 6 ounces of hot water, and let the jewelry soak for a while. If the jewelry is quite dirty, it is all right to let it soak overnight. This formula should not be used on pearls or opals, or any softer stones like turquoise or onyx. If you aren’t sure, please contact us.
Using an old toothbrush, gently scrub underneath the stones and around the settings. This is where they’re the dirtiest. Lotions and products you use on your hair will get in these spots, and they can be difficult to remove. Please don’t use any type of toothpaste or bleach. Rinse well, and you are good to go!
Sterling Silver
Cleaning sterling silver jewelry is different since it can oxidize over time by just sitting out! Some sterling today is rhodium-plated, a metal also used when finishing white gold. . Rhodium helps prevent oxidation. Even so, you still need to clean sterling silver with a quality sterling cleaning product. Another tip: keeping sterling silver in airtight pouches or Ziploc style storage bags. That will prevent oxidation.
Preusser Jewelers Can Help
When in doubt, contact Preusser Jewelers. We can help keep your jewelry looking great! As always, we strongly recommend coming to see us at least every six months, so we can inspect your jewelry and make sure it’s in good condition. Come by our store in near East Grand Rapids to see what we can do for your jewelry!
