Every kind of jewellery requires cleaning, regardless of the material it is made of. If we don’t take proper care of our jewellery, it will lose its shine (in case of silver jewellery) or its original colour and rigidity and may slip out of the clasp (leather jewellery). Therefore, each type of material requires different measures to keep our jewellery in perfect condition.

Both gold and silver metals are extremely valuable. Therefore, jewellery made of these metals needs to be cleaned with special care. An indispensable element will be a microfibre cloth, successfully used for cleaning delicate surfaces such as DVDs or lenses in glasses. Apparently, it is also perfect for cleaning gold and silver. Due to its exceptional softness, the coating of jewellery does not scratch and the surface preserves its original aesthetic values. This is particularly important in case of oxidised jewellery, i.e. the jewellery that is coated with an additional layer, e.g. silver-gilt jewellery.

Silver is one of the most common metals used in the production of jewellery, whether silver chains, bracelets or women’s earrings. Not only is this precious metal beautiful but also delicate. Under no circumstances should you clean silver items with hard or rough objects such as a hard-bristled toothbrush. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is a better idea as it doesn’t carry the risk of scratching the surface of your silver jewellery. Under no circumstances should you use a rubber washcloth or clean silver jewellery in rubber gloves.

Gold is one of the most precious metals. That is why the cleaning of gold jewellery should be done with all precautions and according to the guidelines. Gold is as elegant and delicate as silver jewellery. The simplest method of cleaning gold jewellery is to fill the bowl with warm water with a very small amount of pH-neutral washing-up liquid. You should leave the jewellery in such prepared water for a few minutes, then clean it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and dry it thoroughly with a microfibre cloth.

Although there are many products for cleaning gold and silver jewellery on the market, no special products are needed to keep our gold or silver earrings, bracelets and necklaces in pristine condition for many years. It is worth remembering that gold does not react with other elements, apart from hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and chlorine. The most common gold impurities are relatively harmless as they come down to dust or fat. To remove this type of dirt only water and soap are needed. Unfortunately, silver reacts with other elements. That is why we often encounter ugly black spots on silver jewellery, which can be removed with salt, baking soda and toothpaste. Before soaking the jewellery in the prepared mixture, however, use the mixture on a small, invisible part to test the effect.

There is a wide variety of activities that should be avoided when cleaning jewellery. The rough and hard items are, of course, not suitable for cleaning silver and gold jewellery. Moreover, it is important to pay attention to the material used to finish our bracelet or earrings. Remember that stones and other ornaments and finishes can be made of another material which has its own properties, not necessarily corresponding to the base material, which is silver or gold. Then, a full immersion of the jewellery in the prepared mixture is definitely not a good idea. It is worth checking beforehand whether, for example, a silver ring does not have a stone of delicate material. If so, it is best to clean only the certain points of jewellery, without getting it completely wet. It is also worth remembering about the rules of storing the jewellery and activities during which it is advisable to remove the bracelet or ring. You should not expose the jewellery to water or chemicals. Also, the jewellery should be stored in bags that insulate from heat and sunlight as they prevent tarnishing. Ziplock bags made of polyethylene will work well here. Polyvinyl bags, however, shouldn’t be used as they contain sulphur compounds.

If you decide on buying silver or gold jewellery, make sure you know how to take care of it. Proper storage and maintenance will make your jewellery look perfect every time you wear it.