Aluminum
Aluminum is a soft metal, so be extra gentle when cleaning. Aluminum doesn’t tarnish, but it will pick up oils and dirt, causing it to become dull. It can be soaked in mild, non-moisturizing soapy water for several minutes then lathered with soap and gently but briskly rubbed between the palms of your hands. Rinse with clean, warm water and let air dry.
Keep your aluminum jewelry away from corrosive chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, acids and other cleaning solutions to prevent your jewelry from oxidizing and losing its luster.
Argentium® Sterling Silver
Argentium® Sterling Silver jewelry must be polished with a polishing cloth specifically designed for Argentium® to avoid cross-contamination with tiny pieces of other metals (including traditional 925 sterling) and lower the tarnish resistant qualities of the Argentium®. Argentium® Sterling Silver is highly tarnish-resistant and needs far less care than traditional sterling silver. Argentium® Sterling Silver jewelry should be able to be cleaned with mild soap and lukewarm water and its shine restored with a polishing cloth reserved for only Argentium® jewelry.
Brass
Brass is very simple to care for. While it does tarnish more quickly than sterling silver and other metals, it can be restored to its original shine easily.
Commercial brass cleaner can be used to return shine to brass jewelry. Again, be sure that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner and if in any doubt, consult a professional and/or do not use it.
Worcestershire sauce is an unlikely way to clean brass jewelry, as is ketchup! The acid in the tomato in Worcestershire sauce is great for cleaning brass jewelry. This method should not be used with gemstones or pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners, as the acid in the tomato of the Worcestershire sauce may affect more delicate stones. Using ketchup is somewhat messier than Worcestershire sauce, so apply it with a toothbrush or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly. It’s recommended to avoid getting ketchup on more delicate stones as it is possible that the acid in the tomato might affect them in the same way a chemical cleaner would.
Combining water, lemon or lime juice and salt is another way to clean brass jewelry. Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to a container of water, then add a teaspoon of salt and stir gently. Place the jewelry in the solution for a few minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly with clean water. If necessary, repeat this process. Again, avoid using this method with gemstones and pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners.
As with sterling silver and other metals, brass jewelry will tarnish slower if stored in a recloseable plastic Ziploc® bag or jewelry bag with anti-tarnish paper.
Copper
Copper is very simple to care for. While it does tarnish more quickly than sterling silver and other metals, it can be restored to its original shine easily. Copper quickly turns from a shiny orange-brown to a deep chocolate color. Exposure to air and light speeds up this process. Leave your copper jewelry out if you want it to tarnish quickly, otherwise, store it in its own Ziploc® bag.
To clean tarnish, soak in a mixture of pure lemon juice and salt for 5-10 seconds. After removing the jewelry from the mixture, lather with non-moisturizing dish soap and water and rub the jewelry briskly but gently between the palms of your hands. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a towel. Make sure your jewelry is fully dry before you return it to its Ziploc® bag.
Commercial copper cleaner can be used to return shine to copper jewelry. Again, be sure that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner and if in any doubt, consult a professional and/or do not use it.
Worcestershire sauce is an unlikely way to clean copper jewelry, as is ketchup! The acid in the tomato in Worcestershire sauce is great for cleaning copper jewelry. This method should not be used with gemstones or pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners, as the acid in the tomato of the Worcestershire sauce may affect more delicate stones. Using ketchup is somewhat messier than Worcestershire sauce, so apply it with a toothbrush or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly. It’s recommended to avoid getting ketchup on more delicate stones as it is possible that the acid in the tomato might affect them in the same way a chemical cleaner would.
Combining water, lemon or lime juice and salt is another way to clean copper jewelry. Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to a container of water, then add a teaspoon of salt and stir gently. Place the jewelry in the solution for a few minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly with clean water. If necessary, repeat this process. Again, avoid using this method with gemstones and pearls that cannot be cleaned with chemical cleaners.
As with sterling silver and other metals, copper jewelry will tarnish slower if stored in a resealable plastic Ziploc® bag or jewelry bag with anti-tarnish paper. Copper is very soft, so be extra gentle with copper jewelry.
Fine Silver (999)
Commercial silver cleaners can be used for fine silver. Check that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner before using and if in any doubt, double check with a professional or do not use a chemical cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label and if in doubt, do not use. A few gemstones unable to be placed in most commercial jewelry cleaners include: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral and turquoise. This list is not exhaustive.
Ammonia and water can also be used to clean fine silver. A light ammonia and water solution can be used with a toothbrush or soft cloth followed by rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Ammonia should not be used on pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral or turquoise. This list of gemstones is not exhaustive so if in any doubt, do not use ammonia to clean your jewelry.
A jewelry polishing cloth or sunshine cloth is another way to clean fine silver. The cloth should be used lightly to restore luster.
Tarnish can be minimized by storing your jewelry in resealable plastic Ziploc® bags, or in a commercial jewelry bag with anti-tarnish papers. As previously mentioned, pearls and opals should not be stored in plastic because they need to “breathe.”
Gold
Commercial gold cleaners can be used to clean gold jewelry. Check that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner before using and if in any doubt, double check with a professional or do not use a chemical cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label and if in doubt, do not use. A few gemstones unable to be placed in most commercial jewelry cleaners include: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral and turquoise. This list is not exhaustive.
Ammonia and water can also be used to clean gold jewelry. A light ammonia and water solution can be used with a toothbrush or soft cloth followed by rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Ammonia should not be used on pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral or turquoise. This list of gemstones is not exhaustive so if in any doubt, do not use ammonia to clean your jewelry.
A jewelry polishing cloth or sunshine cloth is another way to clean gold. The cloth should be used lightly to restore luster.
Tarnish can be minimized by storing your jewelry in resealable plastic Ziploc® bags, or in a commercial jewelry bag with anti-tarnish papers. As previously mentioned, pearls and opals should not be stored in plastic because they need to “breathe.”
Gold Fill
Commercial silver cleaners can be used for gold fill jewelry. Check that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner before using and if in any doubt, double check with a professional or do not use a chemical cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label and if in doubt, do not use. A few gemstones unable to be placed in most commercial jewelry cleaners include: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral and turquoise. This list is not exhaustive.
Ammonia and water can also be used to clean gold fill. A light ammonia and water solution can be used with a toothbrush or soft cloth followed by rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Ammonia should not be used on pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral or turquoise. This list of gemstones is not exhaustive so if in any doubt, do not use ammonia to clean your jewelry.
A jewelry polishing cloth or sunshine cloth is another way to clean gold fill jewelry. The cloth should be used lightly to restore luster. Only light pressure should be used when polishing 14 karat golf filled so that the gold surface is not damaged.
Tarnish can be minimized by storing your jewelry in resealable plastic Ziploc® bags, or in a commercial jewelry bag with anti-tarnish papers. As previously mentioned, pearls and opals should not be stored in plastic because they need to “breathe.”
Nickel (German) Silver
Nickel Silver (sometimes referred to as German Silver) does not rust or tarnish. However, over time it can look dingy and form a green patina (owing to its copper content). To brighten up your nickel silver jewelry, wash with warm water and a mild detergent to remove dirt and dry thoroughly before using and of the same chemical cleaners that are safe for silver.
Some commercial silver cleaning polishes will also work on nickel, although you will not get a high gloss finish on nickel. Check that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner before using and if in any doubt, double check with a professional or do not use a chemical cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label and if in doubt, do not use. A few gemstones unable to be placed in most commercial jewelry cleaners include: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral and turquoise. This list is not exhaustive.
A jewelry polishing cloth or sunshine cloth is another way to clean nickel silver. The cloth should be used lightly to restore luster.
Tarnish can be minimized by storing your jewelry in resealable plastic Ziploc® bags, or in a commercial jewelry bag with anti-tarnish papers. As previously mentioned, pearls and opals should not be stored in plastic because they need to “breathe.”
Plated Metals
Plated metals are a base metal (such as brass or copper) with a very thin layer of a more precious metal (such as gold or sterling silver) coated on top of it. Plated metals have a certain lifespan and require proper care and maintenance to prolong their life. The lifespan of plated metal jewelry depends on a number of factors:
- Thickness of the plated layer.
- Exposure of the jewelry to wear and tear and/or rough surfaces
- Direct contact with harsh chemicals including solvents such as hairspray
Simple ways to care for your plated metal jewelry include avoid bumping or scratching it on hard or rough surfaces and removing it if you need to work with a hard surface or tools. Avoid direct contact with chemicals, grease including a large amount of sweat or very high temperatures. Plated jewelry should be removed during exercise.
To clean your plated metal jewelry, use a soft cotton cloth and warm water with a tiny drop of liquid soap if needed. Do not use jewelry cloth or chemical cleaners as they usually contain chemicals that will scrub off the plated surface.
Steel
Sterling Silver (925)
Commercial silver cleaners can be used for sterling silver. Check that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner before using and if in any doubt, double check with a professional or do not use a chemical cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label and if in doubt, do not use. A few gemstones unable to be placed in most commercial jewelry cleaners include: pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral and turquoise. This list is not exhaustive.
Ammonia and water can also be used to clean sterling silver. A light ammonia and water solution can be used with a toothbrush or soft cloth followed by rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Ammonia should not be used on pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral or turquoise. This list of gemstones is not exhaustive so if in any doubt, do not use ammonia to clean your jewelry.
A jewelry polishing cloth or sunshine cloth is another way to clean sterling silver. The cloth should be used lightly to restore luster.
Tarnish can be minimized by storing your jewelry in resealable plastic Ziploc® bags, or in a commercial jewelry bag with anti-tarnish papers. As previously mentioned, pearls and opals should not be stored in plastic because they need to “breathe.”