We all love fine jewelry made from gold and silver. Most of us collect them, not only because they are sound investments, but also because they are beautiful to wear. It adds a statement to our fashion style. However, like any other item, our gold and silver jewelry may get dull and dirty over time. The good thing is there are many ways to clean and polish our gold and silver pieces to bring back its spark and luster. Read on below to learn how to clean your jewelry items like a pro.
Gold
Gold, no matter how precious it is, will lose its beauty because of dirt. Well, worry no more because you can still bring back its original beauty. Just get a little bit of dishwashing detergent and mix it with warm water. Then add a few drops of ammonia to the mixture. Using a soft-bristled brush, clean your gold piece with it, paying more attention to its crevices and texture. Rinse it with lukewarm water and pat-dry it with a soft towel.
Be cautious when cleaning gold because most gold jewelry is mixed with an alloy and may tarnish when comes in contact with some compounds. Do not use soap with harsh components when cleaning your gold jewelry. Never use chlorine too, especially at high temperatures, or chlorine bleach, in cleaning your gold pieces as it could damage the items.
Finally, if you are not so sure on how to clean your silver and gold pieces using DIY cleaning solutions, visit a professional jeweler for a thorough and safe cleaning. They are the best people who can clean your jewellery and at the same time, examine it for any problem.
Silver
A common problem with silver jewellery is tarnish. The good thing is that there are solutions to this that you can find right in your kitchen.
- Clean it with baking soda and aluminum foil
Baking soda is a powerful compound when it comes to removing dirt and tarnish. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with one liter of water and a piece of aluminum foil. Bring the mixture to a boil; then leave the silver jewelry in the mixture for about a minute. Rinse it with cold water and rub it with a soft cloth until it dries. You will see significant changes in your tarnished silver jewelry right after you remove it from the mixture.
- Ketchup
Now, who would have thought that ketchup could also do wonders outside your kitchen? The acid from the tomatoes reacts with the oxidation from the silverware which ends up cleaning it and making it good as new! Simply put a small amount of ketchup on a paper towel and rub it on your tarnished silver piece. You can leave it for a few minutes before rinsing your jewelry.
- Detergent or toothpaste
Another way to clean your silver pieces is by using laundry detergent or toothpaste. Both compounds are slightly abrasive and can remove stains and tarnish. Put a small amount of detergent or toothpaste on a soft fabric and rub it gently on your silver item. Rinse with warm water and rub dry it with a clean towel to shine.