How to Clean Your Custom-Made Jewelry

Firstly figure out what the jewelry you will be cleaning is made of. Is it all gold, silver, or a mixture of metals and jewels? Knowing what it is made of will give you a better idea of how you need to clean it or what you should stay away from when you do clean it.

Diamonds

Simply take some warm soapy water and a soft tooth brush and polish the diamond clean. Do not use anything else to clean the diamond for example toothpaste has been used to potentially make the diamond sparkle longer. By doing this, certain toothpaste can be abrasive to certain metal around the diamond. 

Gold

Gold can be cleaned similarly to the diamond method with the exception of the soap must be dish soap. By using general shower soaps used in the shower it will cause whatever gold that is exposed to the soap to look tarnished. When cleaning gold make sure to use soft bristles as to not cause abrasion on the item. Avoid chlorine when cleaning your gold, too high of a concentrate will also cause your gold to look tarnished. If your gold is tarnished then simply add some ammonia to the soapy cleaning solution while brushing it with soft bristles to help restore some of the original shine.

Silver

Silver is a softer metal and will scratch if anything too rough of texture scratches against it. It is advised that when cleaning silver to use a silver polishing cloth or something of similar texture. Do not use the same method to clean silver as you would gold. Even a soft bristle maybe too much for some silver jewelry. 

Pearls

When dirty, pearls are easily cleaned by using 1 teaspoon of Woolite mixed in 1 quart of water. Submerge the pearls into the solution you have made for 20 seconds remove and wipe down with a soft cloth. Once you have cleaned the pearls to their original color lay them out to dry.

What if you are afraid to clean the jewelry yourself? 

Most jewelers and big department stores will refuse to clean or even inspect anything that is not theirs. This is especially true if you hand made it yourself. If you feel it is valuable and you want to have someone professional clean it there are some stores and places that will accept the item and clean it. This may cost only a few dollars but it will be done with professional tools and cleaners. It is worth looking into if you are afraid of damaging or causing abrasions to your own jewelry.

Speak with us here at Draper's Jewelry if you're unsure of how to go about cleaning that custom jewelry or if you want us to give it a nice shine. We'd love to have you stop in! 

Why Jewelry Services are Important

Most people think only about the purchase price of their jewelry, without acknowledging that the piece is going to need maintaining over time. That’s why it’s a mistake to go for the most affordable piece of jewelry with each purchase. It makes much more sense to invest in jewelry that’s backed by a good reliable company. The right company will offer additional services like maintenance and continued care after the purchase. 

Cleaning Your Jewelry

Many of the best jewelry stores offer cleanings included with the piece sold, and many will give a discounted rate to buyers. It’s important to keep your jewelry clean, and if you don’t want to get the tools and equipment to do the job yourself, you should have a trained professional do it for you. Cleaning your jewelry regularly will ensure that it doesn’t degrade and that you enjoy the same high-quality piece for many years. 

Repairs and Adjustments

Another consideration that you need to make is for repairs and adjustments. If you buy a piece of jewelry from a low-quality location, you won’t be able to get repairs as they are needed. That means you could end up paying for a whole new piece of jewelry, or costly repairs at another location if something happens to your ring, necklace, or whatever the piece of jewelry is. Top notch locations warranty their pieces and leave you with a guarantee that you can get the help you need if something malfunctions on your jewelry. 

It's possible that you’ll need your ring sized up or down in the future as well. It’s possible to get discounts or have that service included with some purchases from the store. Think about all the extras that you could be getting with your jewelry and don’t overlook them. You may not think a free cleaning seems like much at the time of your purchase, but it’s important to maintain your jewelry and it’s nice to get maintenance services affordably as well. 

Don’t go for the cheapest jewelry, go for quality jewelry that’s backed by the store you buy it from. You’ll be happier with your purchase and will have far less to worry about as well. Sure you might spend a bit more money, but you’ll know where to bring that piece of jewelry if you ever have a problem with it, and that’s worth a whole lot. Speak with us here at Draper's Jewelry to find that perfect piece.