How to Clean Vintage Jewellery

Clean Vintage Jewellery

Vintage jewellery should be cleaned regularly to prevent build-up of dirt and grime, which can cause damage to delicate stones. Generally speaking, gold and silver pieces can be cleaned at home using jewelry cleaners, while softer gemstones may need to be professionally polished. It’s essential to always seek advice from a reputable jeweler or gemologist before trying any cleaning method on your precious treasure.

How often you should clean your vintage jewellery depends on how it is worn and what types of chemicals are in your environment. Pieces that are worn frequently, like rings, should be cleaned every few months to ensure the stone is secure and protected from everyday wear. Common chemicals like hand sanitizer, lotion, perfume and sunscreen can promote deterioration of porous gemstones, such as pearls or opals, so it’s important to clean your jewellery after each use.

When choosing a cleaning solution for your jewellery, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid any solutions that contain harsh acids or abrasives. These can damage the surface of your jewellery and leave behind scratches, so be sure to read all directions carefully before using any cleaning product.

For the most part, you can safely clean vintage jewellery at home with a combination of warm water and mild soap. The key is to not submerge the piece in the cleaning solution for too long and never use hot water, which could loosen the glue used to secure the stones. After rinsing the piece, it’s always best to dry it completely before storing it until your next wearing.

How to Clean Vintage Jewellery

To begin the process, rinse your piece of jewellery under warm water to loosen any dirt that has accumulated in between or underneath stones or prongs. It’s also a good idea to gently scrub the item with a soft brush to get rid of any remaining debris. Once the piece is clean, use a soft cloth to wipe off any excess liquid and allow it to fully dry.

Some jewellery cleaners suggest putting your items in an ultrasonic machine for a quick and deep clean, but this can be dangerous for certain vintage treasures. The vibrations of these machines can loosen or break loose stones, especially in heirloom pieces. In addition, many vintage pieces are made of mixed metals, and the different chemical compositions of these metals can react differently to varying cleaning solutions.

Another concern when using ultrasonic machines is that they can heat up your jewellery to high temperatures. This can damage some gemstones, including opals and cameos. In addition, high heat can oxidize gold and cause it to crack or chip.

If your jewelry contains any soft gemstones, such as opals, seed pearls or cameos, be very careful when using an ultrasonic cleaner or even water, and always use the gentlest methods possible. Do not use any cleaners that contain bleach or ammonia, which can be extremely harmful to your valuables. A dry lint-free cloth is usually the safest option for these delicate stones.