How to Clean Silver

Different mixtures of silver tarnish with age, whether it is a copper alloy mix or an electroplate-covered base metal. All of it including sterling silver changes in color over time.

Introductory Advice

In the beginning of the tarnishing process, only a slight discoloration is noticed. Sometimes the tarnish appears to be a yellow color that can be easily removed. However, over time metal turns light to dark brown and eventually it turns black. The more advanced of stage of tarnishing the more and more difficult it is to remove.

Therefore, you want to catch the tarnishing process more in the beginning stages, before the silver is oxidized way beyond what can make it easy to remove.

The possibility of metal oxidization that leads to tarnishing is a reason you should remove any stuck-on food or substances from your silver. For instance, wool, felt, eggs, onions, olives, fruit juices, mayonnaise and fossil fuels all can lead to discoloration of your metals.

So can any dirt that has transferred from dirty fingers to your metal. Cut flowers, latex, and other rubber could also cause tarnishing.

Here are some additional steps towards learning how to get rid of any tarnish:

1. Rinse away any loose dirt, then apply a special paste. Rinsing the dirt before applying the paste can prevent you from scratching your metal pieces.
2. However, when in the rinsing stages you should use a wet rag. This will help you clean off items that have hollow areas in them.
3. Apply a silver cloth with either your fingers or a damp sponge. The best type of polish to use is one that washes off quickly with water. These are less harsh on metals than other kinds of cleaning solutions.
4. The next step would be to rub each tarnished spot carefully until the discoloration disappears. You can do this using a thin layer of silver cream, which you would rub gently for as long as needed.
5. When rubbing silver polish you should use a back-and-forth motion rather than a circular one. Then, if you want to get further reach the dirt you should use a toothpick and Q-tip to reach the tiniest spaces.
6. Rinse, and then wipe away any polish residue with a clean sponge or cloth. You are also advised to use a dry cloth to polish the metal.
7. After you have dried the metal off then use a pair of cotton gloves to handle it. This will help you prevent from getting it dirty again by putting fingerprints on it. After that, it is highly recommended that you rub the metal surface with a rouge cloth in order to shine it up.

Additional Advice

When you clean metal bowls out, you are advised to wipe or polish the inside of the bowl out first. Then, you can wipe the outside of it.Another useful tip is to never try to use dried-up polish in a jar. It is too harsh, even if you try to water it down some. Just purchase a new bottle of chosen polish, such as Wright’s which is one of the most common solutions.

How to Clean Water Spots from Silver

Sometimes even after polishing silver plated pieces stains still remain. Sometimes these blemishes are caused by exposure to water that has not been immediately wiped off after the spill occurred.

Some Introductory Advice

Sometimes water spots might appear on your silver. This may require the use of some kind of phosphate-free detergent for the washing step. After the cleansing process is complete, you should then use a soft, thick towel to make sure all the moisture is removed from the surface.

If the above cleaning procedure does not work you may need to take additional action. First you will be shown supplies you need and steps to take for removal of the water spots. However, a different approach may be needed if you are dealing with early or late signs of tarnish.

Supplies Needed

Some items you will need for this cleaning project are shown below:

• Anti-tarnish or cotton gloves
• Weiman Silver Cream
• Water
• Cellulose sponge
• Soft cloth

Here are the steps for removing the discolorations and spots from your silver pieces:

1. If you want to protect yourself while handling silver cleaning chemicals you should put on the anti-tarnish or cotton gloves. These kinds of gloves are better than the rubber because the rubber ones have ingredients in them that tarnish the silver.
2. Dust off the surface of the silver. It should appear dirt less before you advance onto the next few steps which starts with the application of the silver cream according to directions on the label.
3. The manufacturer’s instructions given by the maker of silver cream long, straight strokes should be used to apply this product. Never use circular strokes or you could scratch the metal, and while you complete this project you should rinse the sponge frequently.
4. The next step is to remove the cream, which also should be done according to the instructions given by the manufacturer. Usually you are required to rinse the silver and then dry it off immediately with a clean, fiber-free cloth (usually cotton).

More Advice

Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between water spotting and tarnishing. The tarnish usually first appears as a light discoloration and then eventually turns to a dark or black shade.

In any case, gentle cleaning is what can remove a layer of the silver. This requires the use of a delicate cream or polish. Be careful because cleaning the silver pieces too often can wear the silver down. This is especially true if the silver is plated. Therefore, be very careful and there is no need to clean your silver pieces every single day.

If you want to further protect your silver, you should also make attempts to remove any stuck-on food particles. Otherwise, traces of food set in could cause further damage.

Metal Brite sometimes can help if you want to clean off your silver. This product is especially useful for removal of tarnish and it often is combined carefully with everyday household substances to produce a shine.

How to Restore Shine to Gold

There are a number of reasons that you may need to learn how to restore shine to gold. For instance, maybe you have not worn it in awhile and it was exposed to air, water, etc. Either that or maybe you accidentally cleaned it with the wrong cleaner.

It is possible to return the shine to your dull and discolored jewelry pieces. Sometimes all you need to do is give it a good clean and polish, either by yourself or with help of a professional.

Supplies Needed

if you want to effectively clean your jewelry pieces you should use these items:

• Warm water
• Cotton swabs or cotton balls
• Cotton cloth
• Mild dish washing detergent
• Bowl
• Polishing cloth

If you want to restore the shine of your jewelry right at home follow these steps:

1. Mix together some mild dish washing detergent and warm water. If you create a sudsy enough of a solution it will help you clean your pieces without completely submerging them. Not submerging when cleaning usually is recommended if you own gold pieces that have gemstones on them.
2. If your gold has no gemstones set in it, you can immerse the pieces under water. However, this should only be done for a few minutes. You only need to do this for as long as the solution is able to work.

1. Once you have finished the soaking step, run the surface of the jewelry with a cotton swab. You also could try using a cotton ball, but these will not easily fit into small crevices and nooks. Your fingers may also work, but again the cotton swabs reach in the smallest spaces.
2. After the cleaning step, lay the gold out flat. You can let it air dry on a cotton cloth, and it should be dried completely before you continue the next few steps.
3. You can use the gold polishing cloth to restore the shine of your metal. When doing so, you should turn the cloth frequently so you can use a clean spot.
4. If the gold is still dull it could also possibly be cleaned using some kind of machine. For instance, some people have successfully cleaned their pieces using an ultrasonic, ionic, or steam machine.

More Advice

Beware that facial or toilet tissue should not be used on gold. It has in it small fibers that could scratch or damage the metal. You should also never use a toothbrush, baking soda, or scrub pad/brush on gold. These too can scratch your metal.

To further protect your precious investments you can store your gold wrapped in an anti-tarnish tissue or clean plastic bag. If you have done all of this and nothing still helps, this is the time when you should have your pieces cleaned professionally.

If you have a piece of which the gold plating was removed, this special coating may need to be applied again. This is one more task for a professional jeweler to complete.

How to Remove Wax from Jewelry

As careful as you are with candles, sometimes accidents happen. For instance, a candle could tip over on a jewelry nightstand and into a jewelry box.

This can cause necklaces or other softer materials made into jewelry to become solidified as hard as a rock sometimes. Trying to remove this wax is hard, because of all the tiny spaces and holes it can work its way into.

Removing this stiffened substance is done easier when you know which tools and solutions to use. Just take a look below at the list of supplies you might need as well as the steps outlined one particular jewelry-cleaning procedure.

Supplies Needed

If you want to clean your jewelry you will need the following supplies:

• Warm or hot water
• Old toothbrush
• Soft cloth
• Mild soap (dish soap or jewelry cleaner)

You would use the above ingredients for completing the steps below:

• Fill up a bowl or the sink with warm/hot water. Make sure the liquid is not so hot it could damage your metal, but make sure it is warm enough to be effective for cleaning. If you add dish detergent, jewelry cleaner, or other mild soap make sure the solution you create is not too soapy. Otherwise, it could leave a sticky film on your pieces.

1. After you have removed all the wax, it is time to dry the piece off with a soft cloth. After that, you can use a jewelry cleaner for removal of any residue.
2. You should then place the jewelry in the water an allow it to soak until the water heat softens the wax. Then, you can wipe the softened wax away with a cloth.
3. If you want to clean out smaller holes and designs you would use a soft-bristled brush. Using an old toothbrush also would help you as you attempt to brush the wax bits out.
4. When all the wax is removed, it is time to then dry your jewelry with a soft cloth. After that, a jewelry cleaner will help you remove any residue from each piece, and it will also help restore the shine.

More Advice and Cleaning Tips

If you apply too much heat to the jewelry the pieces could lose their shape. Therefore, be careful. Using too hot of water could also tarnish your pieces, and incidentally so can using too cold of water.

When you brush each piece of jewelry you should do so lightly. This will help prevent you from damaging the designs of the pieces, and the easiest way to do this is by using plain water.

In fact, water can be used on almost any type of metal or jewelry material. However, the key is that your jewelry should be dried completely right after being cleaned. This will prevent film or spots from accumulating on it.

You could also successfully clean your pieces using the mild soap or the silver cleaner. However, it is not as easy to do so without the possibility of soap residue accumulating on the surface of the metal.

How to Remove Odors from Costume Jewelry

The brassy odor from costume jewelry can really reduce the pleasantness of wearing it. Unfortunately, even some new costume jewelry smells this way.

The main cause of it is the fact that costume jewelry is made of inexpensive metals that often corrode very quickly. As a result, these rather inexpensive pieces react to the natural oil or sweat in your body. This is part of what causes odors that you should really attend to right away so the problem does not worsen.

The steps you see below should work whether your jewelry is new or used. Just gather the supplies first and then follow the procedures given to you in the rest of this article in order to complete this job thoroughly.

Supplies Needed

If you want to be able to clean your costume jewelry the right way, you will need one or more of the following items:

• Plain white toothpaste
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Water
• Dry towel

If you wish to remove odor from your jewelry, you should use the following steps:

• You should always remove your jewelry before you clean it. Washing it while you are wearing it would be a bit of a challenge. You probably would not be able to do as good of a job.
• Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto your toothbrush, and use this brush to rub the paste onto the jewelry. While you do this, make sure you get every nook and cranny.

 

1. Rinse the jewelry using running water. Then, take a brush and use it to help you remove all the toothpaste.
2. Make sure you remove as much of the moisture as possible from the jewelry you just washed. Do this carefully by blotting the pieces dry instead of wiping. This will help prevent streaking.
3. If you want to dry your pieces, you can set them out to air dry. It is highly recommended that if you do not wear your costume jewelry for very often you should clean it after each use.

More Tips and Advice

A good cleaning usually is the best solution. It even helps eliminate odors from brand new jewelry. The main reason is because of the number of times it was handled in the store, but it could also be that the store itself was very humid.

You might also try an alternative method of cleaning that requires no rinsing of it under water. All you need to do is rinse the toothbrush until the toothpaste is gone. Then, you can use it to clean the paste from the jewelry, and then afterward you can wipe it clean with a paper towel and allow this to dry.

An alternative method for cleaning your jewelry pieces would be to drop the items in a cup of vinegar. This works for some of the more intricate pieces that would be harder to clean otherwise. This cleaning substance also helps get rid of the smell, but you would need to polish it dry with a soft cloth.

How to Remove Gold Plating from Silver Jewelry

Sometimes people decide to have their silver jewelry dipped in gold. However, later on they may want to learn how to remove gold plating from silver jewelry.

This is not an easy task, as gold is hard to dissolve once it dries on. In fact, gold resists most chemicals. However, the success of removal is usually dependent on how thick the gold plating actually is. Regarding this, you may have to use some discretion when trying to decide if the jewelry you own can be fixed.

If you are unsure, you should seek a professional jeweler’s help. Otherwise, you can use the procedures you see in the next section for cleaning off most thinner-coated metals.

A thinner layer of gold can be removed more easily using these steps:

1. Gather your supplies. You will need a mild scrubbing pad. Scotch Brite is a perfect example of one that would work just right. You also need a felt cloth, Tripoli compound, jeweler’s rouge, silver polish, and soft cloths.
2. Scrub off the gold. Use the mild scrubbing pad and apply some pressure as you move the pad back and forth. You will need to hold the piece firmly and carefully in one hand as you do this. In time, all the gold will be dislodged from the surface as you scrub back and forth with the pad.
3. Remove the scratches. This requires the use of a felt cloth and Tripoli, which would be used to buff the surface of the metal clean. The end result usually is smoother metal, which you can shine up using the next step.
4. Polish the buffed metal. You can use the jeweler’s rouge for this step. Just rub some of this substance on the surface of the jewelry gently, while using a soft cloth. This process should produce a healthy shine, thus making your silver pieces look just like new.
5. Wipe away excess polish. For this you can use a clean soft cloth. If necessary, you can use a small quantity of the silver polish as recommended. Brasso or Wright’s Silver Cream are two metal polishes that have been used in removing thin layers of gold.

Removal of Thicker Gold Layers

Getting rid of a thicker layer of gold plating is much more challenging than just removing a thin gold layer. Unless you know what you are doing you are advised to consult a professional who can perform this task for you.

Remember also that gold plating often serves a protective purpose, not just a decorative one. It may be used to protect the metals covered underneath it. Therefore, you may want to think twice about removing this coating.

If you do bring jewelry that has thicker coatings of gold on it, you may be able to just have a professional jeweler buff it. This service is usually very inexpensive and can be done for a small fee.

When in doubt, make sure you consult a professional jeweler regarding help for cleaning your jewelry. Usually the cost is minimal to you. Yet, the prevention of damage is great.

How to Clean a Watch

Watches are used every single day, and because of this they lose their shine. The main culprit is too much dirt, oil, and debris buildup. Lotions and creams also can cause watches to become dirty or grimy, and worn looking.

Introductory Advice

Even if you own a water resistant watch, you should remove it from your wrist. This is to make sure you do not damage the watch itself. As you remove your watch, realize that the band of it may be made from a special material that requires special attention.

Supplies Needed

If you want to effectively clean your watch you can use the following supplies:

• Mild dish detergent
• Small bowl
• Jewelry brush or baby toothbrush
• Soft lint-free clothsWhite vinegar (works well on leather bands)
• Water (for use on metal, vinyl, or plastic bands)
• Rubbing alcohol (not for use on all watch materials, especially not for gold)

You can use one or more of the above supplies to follow through with this cleaning process:

1. If the band or bracelet of your watch is removable, you should detach it from the watch itself. Either way, make sure you are careful not to damage the watch as you could permanently ruin it.
2. Take the bowl and fill it about half full with water. Then, add a few drops of the mild dish detergent. The exception would be if the bands of your watch are leather, add a small amount of vinegar instead of dish detergent.
3. If the watch bands are lightly soiled, place them in the water and let them sit for a few minutes. If the watchbands are heavily soiled you may want to leave the band soak for up to two hours. Be sensitive to the type of band material, though.
4. Brush away the dirt with a soft cloth or brush. Do this gently so you do not leave scratches on the watchband surface when attempting to remove the dirt.
5. Rinse the watchband off, then dry. Either wipe it gently with a clean, damp cloth or run it under clean water. You can use the lint-free cloth to wipe it off to provide a shiny polished effect. Do not allow any moisture to remain in the band. If necessary, try a cotton swab to get water out of small spaces.
6. Put the watch back together, wipe, and dry. Once the band is attached back to the watch, gently wipe of the front and back of the watch with a soft cloth. Then, dry it off with a soft cloth and get it ready for use.

Watch Face Scratch Removal

It is possible to get rid of minor scratches from a watch. Of course, you could have a professional jewelry cleaner take on this task. However, there are ways you can do this yourself.

If you own a metal watch, you can find a stainless steel cleaner. It will remove or reduce all marks and indentations.

Usually this process can be done using a few simple steps. One thing you need is a double-sided jeweler’s cloth. Pioneer or Shino are brands of polishing cloths that are perfect for this purpose.

You also may need some additional supplies, such as Never Dull cleaner, plain white toothpaste, soft clothes, fiberglass brush, and fingernail polish block. You also might need latex gloves, and an instructional guide to help you along. Please see other info about removing scratch from metal watch surfaces.

How to Clean a Sterling Silver Ring with Aquamarine Stone

Sterling silver itself is not that hard to clean. However, it can be more of a challenge to learn how to clean a sterling silver ring with aquamarine stone.

However, if you learn to clean your silver and aqua ring, necklace, or earring the right way you can preserve both the metal and the stone. Different techniques are used for cleaning the silver as would be used to clean the stone.

Some Issues

You should realize that silver jewelry cleaner can ruin stones and settings. However, you could create and use a home cleaning solution that will polish both your silver and gems. These solutions are not only effective and gentle enough for everyday use, but they are also less expensive than the harsher jewelry cleaners.

Supplies Needed

To clean your silver and gems you should gather these items:

• An old toothbrush
• Some water
• Baking soda toothpaste
• Soft cloth
• Strainer or dishpan

If you want to clean your ring you should use the following steps:

1. Cover any open drains and/or use a strainer. If you have drain stopper you can use this to plug the sink. You could also use a strainer or dish pan in which to set your jewelry, especially your rings. This will stop you from losing your precious investment.
2. Wet the ring. When you do so, you should use clean water. You could use gentle water pressure to help you get rid of some of the dirt and debris. Just be careful not to use too much pressure and do not use too cold or too hot of water.
3. Apply baking soda to the brush, and scrub. Use the toothbrush to carefully scrub the ring. The main spots you should pay attention to is the crevices near the setting of this piece of jewelry.
4. Once clean, rinse the toothbrush and the ring. Clean water should be used for this step, and no toothpaste. Rinse until all the past residue is gone from both the ring and the toothbrush.
5. Scrub the ring again. This time you would do so without using any toothpaste. Just use the brush to carefully run over the surface of the ring and/or around the gemstone.
6. Rinse and dry. Cool water would be the best temperature of water to use for the rinsing step. Then, when drying use the soft cloth and be gentle to avoid scratching the metal or loosening the stone.

More Advice

For this cleaning project you should use a non-gel toothpaste that has any whitening ingredients in it other than baking soda. Never use any paste that has peroxide or tartar control substances in it. You should also never use a toothpaste that has in it any other harsh chemicals that could damage the silver.

Also remember that using a soft-bristled toothbrush would be best. The other alternative would be to use an older, more worn out brush. Either is fine, but be warned that a semi-hard or stiff-bristled brush could scratch the silver surface of your jewelry.

How to Clean a Silver Pendant with Black Engraving

It can be tough to clean a silver pendant without removing the color from the engraving. However, you might have to learn how to clean a silver pendant with black engraving. This may be especially necessary if your necklace has been sitting for awhile in the event you have not worn it.

Important Facts

Silver is a soft metal that can be very easily scratched. Cleaning it requires the right tactics and tools that can be used to preserve the color of your jewelry. Of course, learning how to clean a silver pendant with black engraving may require just reading this article. Still, you will find some very useful pointers for preserving your precious metals.

Supplies Needed

If you want to clean silver all you really need for the method described below is a polishing cloth. This may not always work for every single cleaning case. However, it will work in the event the kind of cleaning you need to do is as described below.

Alternatively, you might want to secure both a damp and dry cloth. That way, you can wipe more of the dirt off and then polish it dry. This is further explained in the instructions presented to you in the next few sections.

If you want to remove the marks from your silver you can use the steps as you see below:

• Clean the surface of the silver. You can do this by using the polishing cloth. As you gently wipe your silver you should switch to a clean spot on the cloth often.
• Continue above procedure. You would do this until the silver is shiny and new, and all the dust and dirt has been lifted.
• If necessary, dampen the cleaning cloth. An alternative approach to using the dry polish technique is to dampen a cloth and then use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the silver dry.

Note: The important thing here is to make sure you wipe the silver as soon as you have dampened it, or you could leave streaks. Also remember, you should never use a soaking wet cloth on your silver pieces.

More Advice

Some cloths that are sold today have built in them an anti-tarnish treatment. If you want to learn more about this kind you can talk to your jeweler about it after inspecting each piece. One basic premise regarding this is that you use the cloth with the built-in solution that is appropriate for use on the metal you wish to clean.

Furthermore, if you want to clean your silver without damaging it a bath is not recommended. On the other hand, realize that a tarnish removal cloth may not work if the piece is very heavily discolored.

Just do the best you can when it comes to cleaning your jewelry. One piece of news regarding this is that tarnished silver is actually a more acceptable style nowadays. Therefore, even if you cannot make it as clean and shiny as you hoped, it will still be usable.

How to Clean a Diamond

Diamonds can be very hard to clean, but they sometimes are easy targets for grease, grime, dirt, and other debris. This can be discouraging if you have just gotten the ring and now you have to learn how to clean a diamond.

The right maintenance instructions can help you preserve your diamond for a lifetime. Before you receive these instructions, you will first be given a list of supplies needed for this project.

Supplies Needed:

• Ammonia-based glass cleaner (i.e. Windex or comparable brand)
• Mild detergent (any with hand lotion in it, such as the kinds made by ivory or Palmolive)
• Small dish, warm water, and small straine
• Soft-bristled brush, rubber gloves, and lint-free cloth

You would use the above supplies while performing the following cleaning process:

1.  You can close the sink or place a strainer or dish pan in the drain. This will prevent you from allowing your jewelry from falling down the drain.
2. Fill up the sink with hot water. The temperature of this liquid should be as hot as you can possibly stand it. If necessary, put on the rubber gloves because they can protect you from becoming burnt.
3. Place some of the water in a small bowl or dish pan, or place the piece of jewelry you want to clean in the strainer set in the sink. It is your preference exactly how you want to carry out these steps. The key is to place the item(s) you want to lean in a contained basin so you do not lose them.
4. Allow the ring (or other diamond jewelry) to soak in the detergent water for up to 10 minutes. Then move the ring into another dish filled with window cleaner for 10 minutes. (You may want to rinse the soap from the rings before you place them in the window cleaner.) You are advised to cover the ring entirely with this cleaner.After you have let your ring or other jewelry soak, you can gently begin brushing off all dirt and build-up. While you do so, make sure you do not scratch the metal settings and pay very close attention to the back of the diamond. It is the back of this precious gem that usually experiences the most accumulation of debris.
5. After you have cleaned the diamond, you should place it back in the detergent and water solution. Then, you should swish it around to remove any loose dirt.
6. Rinse the jewelry off thoroughly under hot running water. When you do this, remember to keep the drain plugged. Either that or you should use the strainer to keep from dropping the jewelry down the drain.
7. After you have completed the above steps, you should allow the jewelry to air dry. Otherwise, you can dry it with a lint and/or fiber-free cloth. The end result should be your diamond ring or other jewelry looking like new.

More Advice:

You can use toothpicks to help you remove dirt from within the prongs of the ring that hold the diamond down. One other thing you can do is keep your diamonds away from the bleach because it could damage the metal and weaken the diamond settings.

Furthermore, you should be aware that you can remove heavy build-up of dirt. It may require a little extra effort, which may include use of a dental Water Pik.

Be careful too, as cracks otherwise known as inclusions could break as a result of a sudden temperature change. This could happen if you place the gems in the hot water too fast, and the advice here is to use warm water first versus hot right away if your diamonds are cracked.

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