Among items that hold sentimental value, few come close to jewellery. Whether it's an engagement ring given to you by your partner, a brooch that was once your grandmother's or a necklace you gifted yourself after a promotion, jewellery made from precious metals and covered in gemstones often act as talismans as we go about our day-to-day life.
So, what do you do when your most cherished gold bracelet or pair of diamond earrings have lost their gleam and sparkle? We spoke to founder, CEO and fine jewellery Monica Vinader and Grove & Vae's founder Jane Obeng to learn exactly how to clean your jewellery at home.
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How can you tell if your jewellery needs a good clean?
'Jewellery should always have a bit of a sparkle to it, but of course with regular wear, it’s likely it’ll begin to lose its shine,' Vinader tells ELLE UK.
'The most common reason jewellery dulls is due to build up from the body products we frequently use, like lotions, perfume, self-tanner, hand sanitiser and soap. This doesn’t mean you need to stop using any of the above but that you should be more conscious of cleaning pieces regularly so they maintain their beauty.'
And Obeng agrees, noting: 'Knowing the right way to clean and care for your jewellery is what will help keep the longevity of your pieces.'
What You Need To Clean Jewellery
E-Cloth Glass & Polishing Cloth
Do you recommend using a jewellery cleaner machine?
'It really depends on the type of jewellery you’ll be cleaning,' says Vinader. 'Most cleaners use ultrasound waves to break down the dirt particles accumulated on your jewellery - while this can be a good solution for cleaning your plain metal pieces - it can often be harmful for your diamonds, pearls and gemstones.'
What are different cleaning methods needed for gold-plated and solid gold jewellery?
'For solid gold jewellery - you can use simple dish soap and warm water and gently scrub with a toothbrush and pat dry with a microfibre cloth to avoid any scratches,' explains Obeng.
'To clean Gold-plated jewellery - gently wipe with a jewellery polishing cloth, these have special anti-tarnish agents to help remove any tarnish marks on your jewellery.
'Be careful not to rub the jewellery with the polishing cloth too hard or too often as this can also strip the gold plating on the jewellery. Store the jewellery in a cool dry place.'
What is the best method to clean jewellery by hand at home?
'Using a soft, lint free cloth is an effective way to keep sterling silver, 18ct yellow and rose gold vermeil jewellery looking shiny and lustrous,' says Vinader.
'A mistake we often hear about is people using tissue paper or paper towels to clean metal - they may seem soft and non-abrasive, but can actually cause scratching.
'Gemstones do require different care so it’s important to research how to clean the specific stone you have as it can vary. If the stones are natural, like all of Monica Vinader’s are, they are vulnerable to absorbing dirt over time, making it important to clean them regularly after wearing them.
Jewellery Cleaning Designs
Roxanne Assoulin Level Up set of two gold and silver-tone hoop earrings
Both Vinader and Obeng warn against using harsh methods to clean jewellery. 'Avoid using water and harsh chemicals or lotions on the jewellery as this can cause the plating to strip faster,' notes Obeng, with Vinader adding: 'It’s best to clean gemstones with a clean, soft, damp cloth. Very porous stones such as pearls, turquoise, howlite and emerald should be cleaned using an untreated, dry, soft cloth only.'
What are the best products to clean jewellery at home?
Vinader says: 'The right polishing cloth is an absolute must-have. Try to use ones recommended or given by jewellery brands as they’re specifically designed to work with your jewellery. In a pinch, polishing cloths for eyeglasses will also be gentle enough to use.
'I really live in my jewellery so daily cleaning is not realistic, but I do try and gently polish my pieces every few days which I find works well to restore shine.
'I recommend a deeper cleaning every few weeks for the pieces you wear the most often - especially if you’re a big fan of lotions and perfumes as these can create residue build up on your jewellery.'
She continues: 'Bathing the pieces in a simple solution of warm water and the tiniest bit of non-antibacterial soap will help remove dirt and residue.
'Follow this with a gentle wipe down using your polishing cloth and the pieces will look refreshed.'
Should you send jewellery to be professionally cleaned?
'I think getting jewellery professionally cleaned is a great choice if a piece is really precious to you and you want to be extra careful with it, or if you feel like your at-home cleaning is just not doing the trick. A jewellery professional will be able to carefully polish off any residue that just won't budge while keeping your jewellery’s quality intact,' adds Vinader.
What should you do to protect your jewellery?
'To protect the durability and quality of your jewellery you should store pieces in a pouch or soft lined box, ideally placed separately so that they don't rub together or become tangled,' says Vinader.
'If you live somewhere humid, it’s essential to place a small packet of desiccant crystals in the packaging to keep jewellery from tarnishing.'
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Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
