We often get asked how to keep jewellery clean at home. There are lots of ways you can do this depending on the type of jewellery you are cleaning. Here are a few tips to help you maintain the sparkle between the professional polishes we can do for you at Thorpe & Brown;
Diamonds & Fine Jewellery
We find that the best way to keep diamonds sparkling in between polishes is with a (spare!) soft toothbrush & soap, such as hand wash. Simply brush gently with the soap, and rinse well in clean water. Pat dry with kitchen towel, and voila! Your diamonds will shine bright again. Of course, this won’t polish the metal, and we would recommend you have your fine jewellery checked at least once a year, so pop in to see us and we can carry out a full clean & polish for you. This is also a great time to update that all-important valuation.
Silver Jewellery
Silver jewellery is prone to tarnish, but there are several ways to combat this. Store your silver separately to your costume jewellery, and ideally, you would keep it in its own pouch or box to minimise tarnish. Inevitably your jewellery will need cleaning from time to time, so in between the professional polishes we can carry out for you, we would recommend using one of our silver polishing kits to brighten your jewels. The polishing cloths remove tarnish, just gently rub the jewellery and you should see it working straight away. For more intricate pieces our silver dip works a treat. You should also be aware that chlorine & harsh chemicals accelerate the tarnishing process, and we would advise applying perfume before you spray on your perfume.
Pearls & Delicate Jewellery
We would recommend cleaning your pearls with warm water and a gentle detergent. If they are in need of a really good clean, you can soak them for a while in a bowl of warm soapy water, or you can use a soft cloth to gently wipe them. Once cleaned, rinse them well, and pat them dry. It’s a good idea to let them fully dry by laying them flat for at least a few hours. To keep your pearls clean on a daily basis be sure to put them on last, after you have applied any creams, make up and perfume. Give them a wipe before putting them away, and store them away from anything that could damage them. You can also keep the lustre of your pearls by wearing them often; this will help stop them from drying out. You can use this method with other delicate jewellery too, such as beads, opals, and moonstone.
Thorpe & Brown offer a wide variety of jewellery services here at the design studio in Burbage, Leicestershire. If you have any questions, just get in touch – we’re a friendly bunch!