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Cleaning Antique Jewelry : Is Cleaning Vintage Jewelry Okay?

January 15, 2015 By Shelley Zurek 30 Comments

Professional or DYI:  Cleaning Vintage Jewelry

This is a Fashionista event. 

Cleaning Vintage jewelry

I have a lot of costume and vintage jewelry. Much of it has been bought at rummage sales or vintage shops or even Salvation Army stores. Do you shop for jewelry like that?

Other pieces have been passed down through the family, and although not super valuable, they are precious to me.

Given that I wear many of the pieces frequently, the question always pops into my head. How do I clean my vintage and costume jewelry? My gems? More importantly, should I be cleaning vintage jewelry at all or take it to a professional?

Cleaning costume jewelry

DIY: Cleaning vintage jewelry, costume jewelry or valuable jewelry at home

Always take jewelry to be inspected & cleaned thoroughly by a professional. Psst…Zales offers this service for your jewelry for free!  

Zales Expert, Megan Hernandez provides these tips for the Dos and Don’ts to make your jewelry last when doing maintenance cleaning from home:

  • First, check if your jewelry is in need of repair. If so, do not clean it, take it to a professional immediately.
  • Pearls and Cultured Pearls are really delicate so handle with extra care. Take a lint free cleaning cloth and dampen the cloth with warm water (or use a cleaning solution that SPECIFICALLY says it’s safe for pearls.) Use the dampened cloth to wipe down each pearl. Reminder: Because pearls are so delicate, don’t put pearls in your jewelry box with other jewelry. Store pearls in their own box!
  • Gemstone rings, bracelets, etc. Remember different gemstones require different care, so proceed performing home cleaning with caution. When you clean at home, invest in a cleaning solution for delicate gemstones. If you don’t have that, use warm water to soak and rinse, then use a lint free cleaning cloth to dry and polish. (Amazon’s most highly rated cleaning solution)
  • Cleaning Diamonds.  Diamonds are a sturdy gemstone, so if you don’t have a gemstone cleaning solution, use warm soapy water. Let the jewelry soak for a few minutes to loosen dirt or grime. Then use a clean soft toothbrush to whisk away any remaining particles. Follow by using a lint free cloth to dry and polish. (Highly Rated Lint Free Cloth)
  • Important tip to reduce the need for cleaning. Put your jewelry on last and make it the first thing you take off. This will keep your jewels free of lotions and hair products. All of these can get on your jewelry and dull the sparkle.
  • Finally a tip from the Chief Blonde: Never remove your jewelry to protect it from the worldly elements at the risk of losing it. Dirty jewelry is better than NO jewelry. If you must remove your jewelry, always place it in your purse or back in your jewelry box.

Zales January 2015

The Chief Blonde’s Favorite Zales pieces include:  (left to right, top to bottom): Vera Wang LOVE Collection 1/5 CT. T.W. Diamond Bow Necklace ($599),  Enhanced Black and White Diamond Collar Ring (Sale $579) The Heart Within® Diamond Accent Tilted Heart Pendant (Sale $89), Vera Wang LOVE Collection 1/8 CT. T.W. Diamond Bow Bangle ($579), Diamond Multi-Row Anniversary Band (Sale $949),

Do you have a jewelry cleaning tip to share?  What is your favorite tip from above?

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Filed Under: Company Features, jewelry Tagged With: Cleaning antique Jewelry, cleaning estate jewelry, cleaning jewelry, cleaning jewelry at home, Cleaning Vintage Jewelry, DYI

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  1. Jerry Marquardt says

    February 29, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    I know that you have to take a lot of care and use quality cleaner while cleaning antique jewelry. I thank you for the great review.

    Reply
  2. Kitty Iecvan says

    February 24, 2016 at 11:15 pm

    I like the tip to put your jewelry on last and take it off first! You could also use special clothes to clean metal jewelry.

    Reply
  3. Laura says

    February 21, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    I bring my jewelry in the the jewelers to be cleaned on occasion. Probably not as often as I should. It’s hard to remember to do it sometimes. 🙂

    Reply
  4. carla bonesteel says

    January 22, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    I don’t have any antique jewelry, but I wish I did!! I would follow these rules!

    Reply
  5. rochelle haynes says

    January 20, 2016 at 6:00 am

    This is nice to know if i ever get any kind of this
    jewerly

    Reply
  6. John H. says

    January 19, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Thanks for the advice!

    Reply
  7. Dan D says

    January 19, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Bought my wife’s engagement and wedding ring from Zales. Usuall just clean it with a tooth brush.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer H. says

    January 19, 2016 at 2:14 am

    I really like the watch!

    Reply
  9. Michelle Elizondo says

    January 18, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    I would suppose so!

    Reply
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