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HOW TO CLEAN YOUR JEWELRY
And Keep it Perfect
Both silver and bronze jewelry can change in appearance over time. With a little care, you can bring your pieces back to looking as beautiful as the day you got them. Here are some essential tips on how to clean silver and bronze jewelry to keep them perfect.
Silver Jewelry:
Silver jewelry, over time and depending on usage, skin pH, and environmental factors, can react with sulfur and develop a yellowish “patina,” often leading to surface darkening. This process doesn’t harm the jewelry; it only affects the surface. Perfumes and soaps can accelerate the tarnishing, so it’s best to avoid showering with your silver pieces, swimming in pools with them, and apply perfume before putting on jewelry.
To clean silver jewelry, all you need is a toothbrush, a little baking soda, and dishwashing liquid. Place some baking soda in your hand and add a few drops of water to form a paste. Use a toothbrush to apply the paste onto the silver jewelry, gently scrubbing the piece. Rinse with water, add a small amount of dishwashing liquid to the brush, and scrub again. Rinse once more and dry thoroughly, as leftover water can tarnish the silver. Store each piece individually if possible.
Oxidized Silver Jewelry:
Since oxidized silver is intentionally darkened, it doesn’t need regular cleaning, making maintenance easy. To keep the patina intact, store each piece individually to prevent rubbing. If the patina fades due to friction, feel free to send the piece to me for a free restoration, or you can restore it yourself using a black patina solution for jewelry. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and wear gloves.
Bronze Jewelry:
For bronze jewelry, you’ll need vinegar, salt, baking soda, water, and a toothbrush. Start by preparing two glasses of water large enough to submerge your jewelry. In one glass, add a splash of vinegar and two teaspoons of salt, and stir. In the other glass, add one or two teaspoons of baking soda.
Place the jewelry in the vinegar solution for 5–10 minutes, depending on its condition, then brush it with a toothbrush. Next, dip the piece into the baking soda solution to neutralize the vinegar, brushing it again with the toothbrush. Finally, dry the piece completely to restore its original appearance.
Feel free to send me your jewelry for any of these processes. I’m always happy to help bring your pieces back to their original beauty.
- sonia@kimyajewels.com
- © 2024, KimyaJewels