Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Silver Jewelry
• Method 2 of 4: Diamond Jewelry
• Method 3 of 4: Other Gems
• Method 4 of 4: Pearls
• Tips
• Warnings

Whether you own some gem jewelry or inexpensive jewelry, there are simple and affordable ways to keep your finest jewelry looking as good as it did on day one. Both jewelry and bijouterie will benefit from regular home cleaning and polishing with simple ingredients found in most kitchens and bathrooms.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Silver Jewelry

1. 1 Rinse silver jewelry quickly in warm (not hot) water. Dry with a soft dry cloth, then rub the surfaces with jewelry chamois to polish and shine.
2. 2 Throw away commercial silver cleaners if rinsing and polishing is ineffective. Apply these cleaners to a soft toothbrush and finish buffing with suede.
3. 3 Keep cleaning to a minimum by removing silver jewelry before going to the chlorinated pool or hot tub. Silver tarnishes when exposed to air and light, so always keep your jewelry in a cloth bag when not in use.

Method 2 of 4: Diamond Jewelry

1. 1 Prepare a solution with one part ammonia and four parts water and pour into a ceramic bowl. This cleaning solution will remove dirty film from diamond jewelry and is safe for platinum and gold jewelry as well.
2. 2 Soak the diamonds in the ammonia solution for about 20 minutes. When the soak time is over, brush the diamonds and frames with a soft toothbrush.
3. 3 Examine your diamond jewelry carefully for any lost stones. Dust and dirt are often the only thing holding a gem in place, so be careful when cleaning and always polish it over a towel, never over a sink or floor.
4. 4 Rinse each diamond quickly with warm water, place on a towel and let dry.

Method 3 of 4: Other Gems

1. 1Use warm water and liquid dish soap to polish other gemstones such as emeralds and sapphires.
2. 2 Pour a few drops of liquid soap into a bowl of warm water. Lather, whisking the mixture with a fork.
3. 3 Quickly dip your jewelry in the detergent mixture and remove.
4. 4 Rinse off with warm water. Examine the frame carefully for lost stones and damage. Take the questionable pieces to your jeweler, don't try to fix them yourself.
5. 5 Dry each piece of jewelry thoroughly with a soft cloth and place on a towel.
6. 6 Finish with polishing with a soft jewelry cloth.

Method 4 of 4: Pearls

1. 1 Follow preventive cleaning measures to avoid frequent polishing of your pearls, as pearls are fragile and easily damaged by harsh cleaning methods. Always wear pearl jewelry after applying makeup and spray products. Clean immediately after sweating or in smoky areas.
2. 2 Polish and clean the pearls with a slightly damp, soft towel. Wipe each pearl gently with a damp towel, then buff with a soft jewelery suede cloth.
3. 3 Spread the pearls out evenly to dry. Return it to the box as soon as possible. Jewelers recommend storing pearls by wrapping them in fabric and laying them flat for durability.

Tips

• Jewelry retains a polished look when worn carefully. Do not clean, swim, or exercise in your favorite piece of jewelry as sweat and chemicals can affect color and damage surfaces.

Warnings

• Jewelry should not be soaked in detergent solutions or even just in water, as liquids can get into leaky areas that do not dry out completely. Polishing jewelry should consist of no more than polishing the surface with a soft, clean suede cloth.