As a product and jewelry photographer I often get to photograph my clients’ jewelry items before their customers get to see them. Occasionally, I’ve photographed estate pieces or pieces that a customer might like to sell. When these pieces come to me for photographing, the piece may have lost its lustre, but that doesn’t mean the shine and sparkle can’t be brought back, so don’t lose heart if your piece doesn’t look the way it used to!
Normal use and handling has a tendency to deposit skin oils, salts, dusts, pollen, lotion residues, makeup, and other such normal contaminants on your jewelry that can accumulate and make a piece look dull. The good news is most of the sparkle can be brought back with simple cleaning you can do at home.
Cleaning
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For most gems, a simple solution of a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl of warm water is your best method to get the sparkle back. Jewelry pieces should be left to soak for a few minutes, then very gently scrubbed with an ultra-soft bristle toothbrush in the solution to brush away contaminants.
Gold, silver and platinum jewelry can be gently cleaned with a new small soft sponge. Be sure it’s never been used to clean dishes, as particulates can scratch the metal. The key is to rub surfaces very gently. Once cleaning is complete, a rinse in clean water and drying/buffing with a microfibre cloth will bring the shine back.
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Silver and brass jewelry can be cleaned with a good polishing agent, and if there is a buildup around a setting, a visit to your local jeweller may needed for some ultrasonic cleaning. Speak to your jeweller to see if this is right for your piece as not all jewelry can be cleaned this way, or too often.
This simple cleaning approach works best and we urge caution with home remedy solutions like ketchup, toothpaste, baking soda as these can contain abrasives that can scratch your jewelry pieces.
Care and Storage
The best way to care for your jewelry pieces is to store them in dry, room temperature areas away from sunlight, that are protected from changes in humidity. Be aware that dresser tops can be exposed to damaging U.V. rays from sunlight, leading to fading. Bathrooms are not recommended for even temporary storage of jewelry as the changing humidity levels can damage settings, metals and metal coatings. Soft cloth, lint-free bags, microfibre pouches, plastic bags, and the boxes provided at purchase are the best place to keep your jewelry looking its best. If in doubt on how to store your jewelry, speak with your jeweller or gemologist. They are the experts and will help you enjoy your jewelry for years to come.
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