Cleaning your jewelry

How to care for your Jewelry  

Picking out, designing, and putting your jewelry on for the first time is often the most exciting part of adding new jewelry to your collection. However, one of the most important parts of your jewelry journey is how you care for it in the following months and years. You are able to keep your jewelry looking pristine with a few simple tips and tricks. Jewelry cleaning and maintenance differ based on many factors. One of the first things that you should be aware of is the type of metal your jewelry is made of. Certain metals can withstand more than others, and the same applies to stones as well. Some stones like diamonds and sapphires are more durable than others, such as opal. As a general rule, no matter what your jewelry is made of you should be doing a cleaning every two weeks, and a deep clean every six months. However, these cleanings may differ based on your specific jewelry piece.

 

Caring for gold 

Gold is a relatively soft metal. In fact, gold rings are often a metal alloy. The additional metals make the rings stronger and less susceptible to damage. Gold jewelry can be cleaned with a soft cloth and should be wiped down fairly often - especially if you are wearing it every day. If your jewelry piece needs a more thorough cleaning you can put it in a bowl of soap and water. A gentle and preferably natural soap will be your best bet. After your jewelry has soaked for 1+ hours remove and gently scrub with a soft brush. You could do this with a soft-bristled kids toothbrush. 

You can clean your jewelry with a soft bristle toothbrush

Caring for silver 

Silver jewelry does tarnish over time and looks best when regularly polished. Again, if you are wearing your silver jewelry every day you should consider polishing regularly. Knowing the rating of your silver jewelry can help determine the amount of polishing needed. For example, silver with a .950 needs much more polishing than a .925 rating. You can polish your silver by using a microfiber cloth to gently rub areas of wear.  

Although it is often easier to leave your jewelry on than take it off intermittently, you should be aware that some activities will damage your jewelry over time. It is best practice to take off your jewelry from time to time to ensure that it receives the best care. Protect your jewelry by taking it off while doing these things:

Doing dishes and chores 
Going to the pool or hot tub (chlorine can damage metals over time) 
Hot springs - Sulphur can wreak havoc on silver
Getting ready for the day - hairsprays and other chemicals may be damaging
Showering or bathing

Caring for diamonds  

Diamonds are a very durable stone. If you care for your diamond ring according to the tips from above based on metal your ring will look great for many years to come. If you notice that your diamond is lacking shine you can make a soaking solution with soap and water, and like stated above, scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush. 

We hope that these tricks are helpful when caring for your meaningful jewelry. At Citrus Studio we believe that jewelry is meant to last, and we want you to be as satisfied 10 years from now as you were when you first started your journey with us. If you have any additional comments or questions about jewelry care and maintenance please reach out to us!