Leth Metal Designs
General Care of All Jewelry
by Bill Leth
All jewelry is susceptible to the same types of "Dirt" and they are from three main sources. The Body itself, Soap films, and Tarnish. Then there are the categories of jewelry that these "Dirts" or a combination of them cling to.
Fine Jewelry: This is primarily made of solid yellow and white golds, platinum, sterling silver and "Art Jewelry". It is set with stones that are Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, and a long list of crystal based semi precious stones that include man-made (glass/crystal) or synthetics (zirconia). Real pearls are also included in this category
Costume Jewelry: This category is complicated because it contains all types of plated and gold filled jewelry that is widely manufactured and sold in a variety of department and retail stores which is even set with some of the precious stones. It also borders into some very fine craft areas where special techniques require specific cleaning procedures.
Children's and Other Jewelry: This category is the place where jewelry made from a "white" base metal or coated plastics is placed. Often children's jewelry or play jewelry is made from materials that are of little value but still require cleaning.
Cleaning Fine Jewelry and Prescous Stones
While many people either take their jewelry to the jewelers to be cleaned or use one of the many commercial jewelry cleaning solutions on the market, I prefer a home remedy. I just pullout the bottle of household ammonia and make a 50/50 solution with warm water and let the rings or chains and bracelets soak for 20 - 30 minutes. I then take an old tooth brush, with soft or worn bristles, and a drop of dish washing detergent on it, to scrub behind stones and between links. This will remove the body oils and dead skin cells that build up behind stones as well as remove the wax from bar soaps that accumulates on the back surface of the stones and links which dulls the shine and sparkle.
Cleaning Pearls
Saltwater Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, and Cultured Pearls require special care in their cleaning. Harsh chemicals, ammonia, abrasives and solvent cleaners are not to be used when cleaning pearls since they damage their surface and luster permantly. Since pearls gain a "personal color" by absorbing the body oils of the wearer they should only be cleaned only with a soft, clean lint free dry or damp cloth. Pearls that have been soiled by makeup can be washed with a mild soap (Ivory Flakes) and water solution. Damp pearls should be allowed to dry before storing them away.
Cleaning Opals, Pearls, and other Porous Stones
A mild solution of luke warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush is the only way to clean Opals and Turquoise. Then dry it immediately with a soft cloth. Also do not soak them in the solution or keep them immersed in water. Do not use chemicals, ammonia, abrasives, toothpaste or ultrasonic cleaners to clean Opals or Turquoise. Opal and turquoise rings should not be worn while cleaning dishes or showering as sudden changes in temperature may damage them.
Other Porous Semi-precious stones include: Amber, Coral, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Marcasite.
Cleaning Titanium and Niobium Jewelry
Cleaning these metals only requires an ammonia or a detergent and water solution. It is more important that the solution be safe for the stones that are with these metals. The colors on the metal can't be washed off with thinners or cleaners of any kind, but they can be scratched with abrasives or by other metals and cleaning pads. This will cut through the oxide surface and reveal the silver-gray color of the metal underneath.