Handcrafted jewelry adds a unique, personal touch to your collection, and proper care ensures each piece remains as beautiful as the day you got it. Since different metals require specific attention, here is a guide for cleaning and protecting your gold-filled, sterling silver, bronze, and gold-plated jewelry.
General Jewelry Care Tips
No matter the metal, a few simple habits will go a long way in preserving your handmade pieces.
- Put jewelry on last: Wait until you have finished applying lotions, perfumes, hairspray, and makeup to put on your jewelry.
- Avoid water: Remove your jewelry before swimming, showering, or engaging in activities where it may get wet. The chemicals in pools and salt in the ocean can be particularly damaging.
- Store it properly: Keep jewelry in a cool, dry place. A lined jewelry box or individual anti-tarnish pouches are ideal for preventing scratches and tangles.
- Wipe it down: After each wear, give your jewelry a quick wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oils, sweat, and dirt.
Gold-filled jewelry
Gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal, making it more durable and tarnish-resistant than gold-plated jewelry.
How to clean gold-filled jewelry
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of lukewarm water.
- Soak your piece for about a minute.
- Use a very soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub away dirt from any intricate areas.
- Rinse with clean, lukewarm water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
What to avoid with gold-filled jewelry
- Harsh chemicals: This includes household cleaners and abrasive solutions.
- Over-polishing: Too much polishing can eventually wear down the gold layer.
Sterling silver jewelry
Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper, which is why it can tarnish over time.
How to clean sterling silver jewelry
- Create a paste by mixing two parts baking soda with one part water.
- Use a soft cloth to rub the paste gently onto the silver.
- Let the paste dry, then rinse with warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth.
- For heavily tarnished pieces, soak for two to three hours in a solution of ½ cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
What to avoid with sterling silver jewelry
- Chemicals with sulfur: These are found in some cleaning products and foods like mustard and onions, which can cause tarnish.
- Harsh rubbing: Vigorous scrubbing with abrasive cloths can scratch the surface.
Bronze jewelry
Bronze is an alloy of copper, which naturally darkens and develops a patina over time. It can also cause a temporary green mark on your skin due to a harmless reaction with your skin's chemistry.
How to clean bronze jewelry
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into warm water.
- Use a soft cloth to gently scrub the jewelry.
- For a deeper clean, mix equal parts lemon juice and baking soda to form a paste. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
- To restore its shine, a commercial liquid metal polish can be used, but note that this removes the natural patina.
What to avoid with bronze jewelry
- Abrasive materials: Avoid steel wool or harsh chemical cleaners.
- Leaving it wet: Always dry your bronze pieces completely to prevent corrosion.
14kt gold-plated jewelry
Gold-plated jewelry has a very thin layer of gold over a base metal, making it the most delicate of these materials. With proper care, it can last for years, but the plating can wear off over time.
How to clean gold-plated jewelry
- Use a mild soap and warm water solution and a soft cloth for gentle cleaning.
- Soak the jewelry for just a few minutes, as prolonged soaking can weaken the plating.
- Rinse and dry completely with a soft, lint-free cloth.
What to avoid with gold-plated jewelry
- Harsh chemicals: Bleach, chlorine, and some household cleaners can strip the thin gold layer.
- Abrasive cleaners: Never use baking soda, toothpaste, or harsh polishing cloths, as these can scratch off the plating.
- Excessive cleaning: Because the layer is thin, it's best to clean only when necessary to preserve the plating.