Tips to Clean your Jewelry and Costume Jewelry Effectively

We tell you how to clean silver, gold, pearls, costume jewelry, remove tarnish, shine diamonds and clean precious stones.

At Enso Canarias, we are here to share some tricks on how to keep your jewelry in perfect condition , so you can enjoy its lasting shine and beauty. In this article, we will show you the steps for effective cleaning.

Cleaning Time

It is essential to understand how acids and bases interact in the jewelry cleaning process. If you're already familiar with this concept, great! If you are not, don't worry, we will explain it to you here.

When metals oxidize, a base is created. Before starting cleaning, it is important to neutralize this oxidation with an acid.

First Step: Basic Cleaning

To start, use a mild detergent, such as dish soap, and gently rub the piece with your hands for a few minutes. Then rinse under the tap. If the shine has not completely returned, it is possible that acid (sweat) has saturated the base (a result of oxidation). In that case, proceed to the second step.

Second Step: Remove Oxidation

If the first step hasn't restored the shine to your jewelry, don't worry, there is still hope. We need to remove the layer of oxide on the surface that causes that dull appearance.

The first step allowed us to eliminate acidic fats and chemical residues that could hinder this process. Now, we must look for a suitable acid, and in most homes, there are two easy to find and environmentally friendly options:

1. Acetic acid (white vinegar) : You can use wine vinegar or white vinegar for this purpose. One squirt is enough.

2 . Citric acid: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal.

Place a liter of water in a stainless steel pot and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add the lemon juice (or vinegar) and immerse the jewelry in the mixture. Make sure the piece is completely covered by the acid water. If you have several pieces of jewelry, you can clean them together, as long as they are made of the same metal. If you're not sure, do this process separately for each piece you want to clean.

Check the piece from time to time and usually 5 to 10 minutes should be enough.

Additional Tip:

For effective maintenance of your jewelry, avoid wearing it while washing your hands, showering, or applying perfume. These products can damage enamels, metal platings and leather on jewelry pieces.