Has your favourite sterling silver or gold jewellery lost its sparkle? Are you wondering how to get it looking cleaner and shinier without causing any damage?
Restore every item in your jewellery box to its former glory, from your wedding band and engagement ring to your favourite earrings and necklaces, with our guide on how to clean jewellery.
General tips to care for your jewellery
To help keep your jewellery in tip-top condition, we recommend that you follow these suggestions.
- Store your jewellery in a dry, cool place when you're not wearing it to avoid tarnishing.
- Use a soft (old!) toothbrush and warm soapy water to remove build-up of dirt/discolouration.
- Use a hairdryer (on a low setting) afterwards to avoid water marks on your jewellery.
- Avoid contact with harsh chemicals and abrasive materials, especially when wearing jewellery with gemstones.
- Take your jewellery off before showering, swimming, or using cleaning products.
- Use a soft cloth for regular maintenance and the removal of small marks and scratches.
- Try to avoid your jewellery coming into regular contact with perfumes, lotions and chemicals, as they can all affect the look of jewellery over time.
How often to clean jewellery to avoid tarnishing
For your favourite pieces that are worn most days, we recommend cleaning your jewellery once a month and considering having it professionally cleaned and refinished every six to twelve months to keep it in tip top condition.
How to clean silver jewellery
- Wearing your jewellery (rather than keeping it hidden away in a box) is actually the best way to avoid tarnishing on silver! Your skin’s natural oils help to form a barrier against oxidisation.
- If you find your item of silver jewellery blackens when you first wear it, follow the above method of cleaning with a toothbrush and warm, soapy water.
- You may also like to use a ‘silver dip’ which can be purchased from hardware stores.
- Initial discolouration should fade within time. It isn’t clear why this can happen to some people’s jewellery, but it seems it could be attributed to medication, diet or even pregnancy.
How to clean gold jewellery
- Mix a few drops of a mild detergent (baby shampoo works well) into one bowl of lukewarm water.
- Soak your jewellery for 10 minutes to loosen the dirt.
- Gently scrub it with a soft-bristled toothbrush, making sure you get into the crevices.
- Rinse in a second bowl of clean water to remove any residue.
- Dry and polish with a soft cloth for a sparkling finish.
A word on storage - to keep gold jewellery in tip top condition, store it separately from other pieces and metals in a jewellery box or in its original packaging, avoiding exposure to humidity, excess moisture, or liquids to prevent tarnishing.
Cleaning gemstone jewellery
If you're lucky enough to have a beautiful gemstone featured in your jewellery, like a dazzling diamond or a stunning sapphire, take extra care when cleaning this part of your jewellery.
- Mix a few drops of mild detergent (like baby shampoo) with lukewarm water.
- Soak for 10-15 minutes to loosen the dirt and oils trapped in its settings.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean around the stone and setting.
- Rinse thoroughly – use clean, lukewarm water to remove any soap residue.
- Pat dry with a lint-free cloth – avoid paper towels, as they can scratch delicate stones.
- Avoid harsh chemicals – household cleaners, bleach, and acetone can damage gemstones.
- Store separately – keep gemstones in soft pouches or lined jewellery boxes to prevent scratching.
Jewellery storage for snake chains
- Snake chains have an unusual semi-rigid form that can make them susceptible to kinking.
- Careful storage and handling is required to preserve the chain's original shape.
- We suggest you store your necklace loosely coiled or hanging up to avoid being squashed or misshapen.
Finishes
Finishes that are applied to our jewellery can alter over time, simply due to everyday wear. This is more applicable to rings and bangles; satin and frosted finished pieces may become shinier with wear and polished items can become slightly duller with time.
Complimentary refinishing service
- If you feel over time that you would like your Kate Smith Jewellery item restored to its former glory, get in touch as we offer a free refinishing service.
- We have specialist equipment that will thoroughly clean and refinish your treasured item.
- Just £8 is required to cover the return postage – please enclose this when sending your jewellery to us.
- After contacting us, please then send your jewellery (securely packaged and with a return address) to: Kate Smith Jewellery, Studio 6, 49 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6HF
- We suggest you send your item using Royal Mail Special Delivery, so that the contents are insured.
- Your item will usually be returned to you within 10 days.
