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Costume jewelry usually consists of less expensive stones and metals than those found in fine jewelry made from precious metals and gemstones. Nevertheless, many pieces of costume jewelry are still valuable, either in monetary or sentimental value, or perhaps even both. Moreover, costume stones and metals are often less durable than those found in finer jewelry, requiring the use of gentle cleaning methods. Knowing how to clean these pieces properly without damaging them will set your mind at ease.
Steps
The dry method is a safe way to clean old jewelry, since many moist or wet cleansers can leave behind a film or even cause lasting damage.
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Find a workspace with good lighting. Overhead lights in dark rooms are likely to cast shadows and should be avoided. Look for a desk with a lamp that you can direct or a clear counter in front of a window.
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Use a dry baby toothbrush or similarly soft brush to gently brush the piece's surface. Doing this will remove any dirt caked onto the surface.Advertisement -
Hold a can of compressed air an inch or two away from the surface of your piece of costume jewelry and spray. This loosens any dirt and dust that might be trapped in the crevices.
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Inspect your jewelry with a magnifying glass. Look for any additional trapped dirt.
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Use a toothpick to carefully remove any dirt you spotted with the magnifying glass. Avoid using a metal pick, since this may scratch glass beads or soft gemstones if your hand slips.
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Polish the piece with a dry, soft cloth. Doing so removes most fingerprints and smudges while giving your jewelry back a bit of its original shine.
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If there is grime that does not come off after the dry clean, step things up a notch with a gentle cleansing solution.
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Mix one part soap with three parts lukewarm water in a small bowl or glass. Use a gentle soap, since harsher soaps may contain chemicals that will damage your jewelry. [1] X Research source
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Dip the soft-bristled baby toothbrush into the soap and water solution. Alternatively, you may use a cotton swab. [2] X Research source
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Tap the brush on the side of the glass or bowl to remove excess solution. Use the least amount of solution possible on your jewelry.
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Gently brush the gems, beads, and metal of your jewelry with the brush or swab. Apply light pressure to avoid loosening any glue or enameling. [3] X Research source
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Rinse your jewelry under lukewarm water. Try to perform this step quickly. Water can damage costume jewelry, so you must not immerse it for long. [4] X Research source
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Gently blot excess moisture off the piece with a soft, dry cloth.
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Lay your jewelry out on a paper towel and finish drying it with a hair dryer. Use the dryer's cool setting, since heat can damage some costume jewelry. [5] X Research source
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Polish the piece with a soft, dry cloth.
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If both the dry and gentle cleansing methods fail to fully clean stuck-on grime, switch to a stronger cleanser.
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Obtain a non-acetone nail polish remover or a gentle jewelry cleanser. Always read the label on the jewelry cleanser. Many are not suitable for costume jewelry because they contain chemicals like alcohol or vinegar. Only use a cleanser when the label specifically states that it is safe for costume jewelry.
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Pour a small amount of the nail polish remover or cleanser into a bowl or glass.
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Dip a cotton swab into the cleanser, soaking in as little as possible.
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Tap the swab on the side of the glass to remove excess solution.
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Gently scrub any gems, glass beads, or metal elements. Avoid scrubbing around the area where the gem is attached to its backing, since even a gentle cleanser may loosen the glue.
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Quickly rinse your jewelry under lukewarm water.
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Blot off excess moisture with a dry, soft cloth.
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Lay your jewelry on a paper towel and dry with a hair dryer. Keep the drying on a cool setting to prevent heat damage.
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Polish your jewelry with a soft cloth.
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Finished.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I clean old clip on earring costume jewelry without damaging the metal or whatever it's mounted on?Community AnswerUse a toothpick to get rid of grime gently, then scrub lightly with a toothbrush and some baking soda.
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QuestionHow do I clean the crystal face of a watch without damaging it?Community AnswerIt depends on your watch. I'm assuming it's a simple watch face with a few gem interlays, in which case a simple glass cleaning cloth plus a toothpick could be of service to you.
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QuestionHow can I clean a diamond ring?Community AnswerUse crystal polish or a diamond cleaning solution.
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Tips
- Never soak your costume jewelry in jewelry solution, even if the solution is safe to use on costume jewelry. This is especially important if there are gemstones or other elements glued in place, since many cleansers will loosen the adhesive.Thanks
- Avoid using water on jewelry that contains copper or mixed metals. Water will react with the copper, damaging it in the process. Stick with simple dry methods for pieces like these.Thanks
- Put your jewelry on last and take it off first. Avoid putting your jewelry into contact with perfume, hair spray, or other chemicals.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Lamp
- Baby toothbrush
- Compressed air
- Cotton swap
- Magnifying glass
- Toothpick
- Soft cloth
- Soap
- Water
- Jewelry cleanser
- Non-acetone nail polish remover
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about watches, check out our in-depth interview with Bill Green .
References
- ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/cleaning-costume-jewelry
- ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.com/cleaning-costume-jewelry/slide3
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25736/how-to-clean-jewelry/
- ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/how-to-clean-costume-jewelry/
- ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/how-to-clean-costume-jewelry/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To clean costume jewelry using the dry clean method, start by scrubbing the jewelry with a baby toothbrush to remove any caked on dirt. Alternatively, spray away the dirt and dust with a can of compressed air, or use a toothpick to carefully remove small bits of grime. For more stubborn dirt, use a toothbrush to gently scrub the surface with a solution of soap and lukewarm water. Then, use non-acetone nail polish remover to clean any stuck-on grime. To learn how to polish your jewelry, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Using gentle dish soap is effective; baby shampoo is good too. Rinsing it quickly to avoid loosening glued in stones is a very useful piece of advice, and using the cool hair dryer setting. These could have saved some of my costume jewelry years ago!" ..." more
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"Using gentle dish soap is effective; baby shampoo is good too. Rinsing it quickly to avoid loosening glued in stones is a very useful piece of advice, and using the cool hair dryer setting. These could have saved some of my costume jewelry years ago!"
..."
more
"The part of cleaning it with a gentle soap and drying it on the cool setting of my hairdryer was helpful. My jewelry looks like new. Thank you for the excellent advice."
..."
more
"I did not know that you can take a toothpick and get the little pieces of dirt."
"Helped fix the ring my fiancé gave me from his mom. He'll be so happy."
