Q&A for How to Clean Fake Jewelry

Sorry, but the copper-gold is what happens when the plating wears off. There are some kits on the market if you want to plate the jewelry with silver or gold, but that's not always affordable or effective, depending on what the jewelry is made of. The best you can do is prevent the oxidation and wear and tear on the jewelry by coating it with clear gloss or clear nail polish.

No. If it's costume jewelry you can paint it with clear nail polish to prevent oxidation.

Try spraying your costume jewelry with a clear gloss coat enamel spray. This is the equivalent of coating your goods with spray enamel, which gives them a uniform shine and ensures that the metal won't oxidize (oxidation of copper makes your skin green). Just take a sheet of wax paper and lay it on a table outside. Place your fake jewelry on it. Shake the can of spray enamel and hold about six inches away. Spray in short bursts until you've covered everything uniformly. Do not over spray, as a light passing over is enough. Make sure the stones are covered with clear or painter's tape. Also be sure to spray the backs of your jewelry.

Use toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Gently rub on the toothpaste, then clean it off.

Yes. You could also use bottled lemon juice.

These machines can damage fake & plated jewelry. The vibrations can also damage many types of gem stones.

Sorry, but you don't. They were probably some type of plastic and the white dulling was the plastic breaking down on the surface.

You can mix lemon juice with salt or baking soda to form a paste. Rub the paste onto the copper jewelry using a cloth or your fingers, and scrub with a toothbrush. You might find this information helpful.

Using metal polish is not a good idea, as it can be too abrasive and may strip away the gold plating or damage the underlying base metal.

Yes, you can use a clear, non-toxic adhesive like E6000 or a jewelry-specific glue. Ensure the jewelry is clean and dry before applying the glue.

Mix warm water with mild dish soap, soak the jewelry for a few minutes, and then scrub it with a soft toothbrush.

Clean with water and mild dish soap in a bowl, place the jewelry inside for 10-15 minutes, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Try lightly cleaning the rusted areas with 000-grade steel wool. It’s a very soft-grade abrasive and in most cases will do the trick.

Yes, the citric acid in cola can remove rust from the surface of metal including cheap or fake jewelry.

Apply white vinegar to the oxidized metal jewelry and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the layer of rust away.

Try using lemon juice to remove the grime and rust from cheap jewelry. Scrub the cheap jewelry with a soft toothbrush.

Try soaking it in white vinegar for a few hours. After, gently scrub off any excess rusty paste from the jewelry.