How To Clean Jewellery

How to clean jewellery

Let’s face it, we all love a sparkly new piece of jewellery, but we often get asked here at Hancocks, how to keep precious gemstones and metals clean and well looked after. Although we do offer a complimentary cleaning service, we understand that it’s not always easy to pop into the store.

Here are some top tips on how to give your diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and other precious metals the love and care they deserve.

How to clean diamonds:

When cleaning a diamond, you must be extremely careful with the stone, but with the proper care and attention, it will sparkle for a lifetime.

The first thing you need to do is get yourself a soft toothbrush, some mild soap and some warm water. We recommend soaking your diamond jewellery for 10 – 15 minutes in your warm soapy water. Next, gently brush the diamond with the toothbrush in the water. Finally, rinse the diamond thoroughly under warm running water before drying and polishing your diamond using a lint-free cloth.

You should do this every few weeks to keep your diamond sparkling like new. You can also clean sapphires and rubies with this method, but please ensure that the water is only warm and not too hot.

How to clean emeralds and other precious gemstones:

Great care needs to be taken with emeralds. They should be cleaned by professionals only, who know how to care for them properly with gentle brushing or rinsing methods that will not damage the gemstone’s integrity. Although, if you need to clean your emeralds at home, use mild water and light soap (it is vital to avoid any harsh detergents or hot water) on a soft toothbrush; brush very gently to avoid scratching. Ensure you do not soak the gem to prevent damage from chemicals used during the cleaning session.

Please note that Pearls and opals should not be immersed in water, as any detergent will damage the lustre of a pearl and opals can crack or change appearance if they absorb moisture.

How to clean white gold:

Cleaning white gold is an easy process! You can clean it using a mixture of dish soap and a small amount of warm water. Let the white gold soak for 10 minutes, then clean the metal using a soft toothbrush.

Ensure not to scrub hard, as this could damage the coating on your jewellery that protects its natural beauty from everyday wear and tear. This procedure will surely work wonders on your white gold, removing any stains left behind from daily wear. Finish the process by rinsing the jewellery under running water and polishing it with a lint-free cloth.

How to clean yellow gold:

Cleaning yellow gold is a delicate process that requires special care. To remove stubborn stains, mix dish soap with warm water and soak your metal in it for 10 minutes. Then clean the item using the soft bristles of an old toothbrush or cotton swabs dipped in the solution Then simply rinse off the yellow gold thoroughly under running water, and don’t forget to polish using a lint-free cloth!

Looking after platinum rings:

To keep platinum looking its best, it is important to take the right care. Soak the metal in warm water mixed with dish soap for around 30 minutes, then wipe off all the dirt and grime using a soft toothbrush or cloth. Platinum is the hardest metal that jewellery is made from and is much less likely to scratch when being cleaned.

To complete the process, simply rinse the jewellery under running water and polish the platinum with a lint-free cloth, ensuring it is completely dry.