“Jewelry is the most transformative thing you can wear,” said the late, great fashion icon Iris Apfel. How to clean jewelry, then, should be an easily answerable and well-attended to question within your fashion vocabulary.
Whether an ornate, gemstone-studded broach, a simple set of gold hoops to wear every day, a family heirloom necklace, or ‘MOM’-emblazoned knuckle rings: Your special pieces deserve to be kept tarnish-free, sparkly, and clean. It doesn’t have to be so complicated, but there’s a few hard and fast rules to stick to when it comes to keeping your jewelry shining. You should first determine exactly what material your jewelry is made from: Gold or gold-plated? Silver or sterling silver? Brass or gemstone? This may affect how you approach your cleaning process, and how often you do it. You can check in, too, on your jewelry manufacturer to see if they have any specific recommendations (brands like Pandora and Mejuri do) or products they advise to use with their pieces.
It’s also good to remember that storing your jewelry correctly is just as important for keeping them tarnish-free and intact: Separate your pieces, keep them cool, and keep them out of direct sunlight. Andraya Kenon, founder and creative director of brand Celeste Starre, says: “Store your pieces separately to keep them gleaming for a lifetime.”
I sought out Emily Nunns, founder of British brand Ballinger (and former Vogue senior strategist), which creates statement, demi-fine jewelry that’s inspired by vintage family heirlooms and all about jewelry that would last. “I wasted lots of money over the years on earrings that would tarnish quickly or rings that would turn my fingers green after just a few wears!” she says. “I’m not even talking about cheap jewelry either, I was buying from expensive brands. Creating Ballinger’s first samples involved lots of trial and error. I work with a father-and-son duo based in Istanbul to bring my jewelry designs to life. The final technique we decided on using is called physical vapor deposition (PVD) which involves vacuum-coating a thick layer of 18 carat gold on top of our base metals. (We use sterling silver and also brass). This technique makes jewelry 10 times stronger than standard gold-plating, so it dramatically enhances its durability. We’ve even run rigorous tests on Ballinger pieces, such as running them through the dishwasher and soaking them in various substances, such as salt water, and we’re yet to find something that has damaged our pieces.”
Here’s someone with hardy knowledge on how to clean jewelry and craft pieces that last. Before we’ve even got to breaking down your jewelry cleaning regimen, a precautionary top tip from Nunns is to put your jewelry on after—not before—applying body lotion, perfume, oils, or SPF. “This will make any type of jewelry easier to clean after wear and generally help to protect it,” she says.
What causes your jewelry to get dull and dirty? It’s usually going to be soaps, lotions, and body oils that create that cloudy, hazy affect. Also, there’s the environment: Pollution, dirt, and dust. Your everyday activities, from swimming to showering, gardening, and just being out in the world can collect grime.
Below is your failsafe guide for how to clean jewelry.
How often should you clean your jewelry?
“Little and often” is Nunns’ rule. “I would recommend wiping down your jewelry a few times a week if you wear it every day,” she says. “Then, once a month, you can do a deeper clean of your favorite pieces. All you will need is warm water, dish soap, a soft toothbrush, and a cloth.” Nunns advises to stay away from alcohol-based cleaners. “I would generally steer clear of using alcohol to clean jewelry. It isn’t necessary and can damage certain materials. Alcohol can also dry out the natural oils in gemstones causing them to look cracked.”