How to Make Fake Jewelry Silver Again

Co-authored by Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 9, 2023 Fact Checked

While jewelry that's made of pure silver or gold doesn't tarnish, cheaper alloys in fake jewelry will start to change colors and oxidize over time. If you have fake jewelry that's lost its original shine or color, there are easy ways that you can clean and polish it at home. You can either scrub fake silver jewelry with cleaners to remove tarnish or deep-clean it in a baking soda solution. When you're finished, your jewelry will shine like new!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Polishing Fake Jewelry to Remove Tarnish

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1
Scrub the jewelry with baby shampoo and water for a gentle clean. Mix 1 drop of baby shampoo with 1 c (240 ml) of warm water until it's sudsy. Use a cotton swab to apply the soapy water on the jewelry and clean tight spaces. Once the jewelry is clean, rinse it in cold water and pat it dry with a towel.
- You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush if you need to scrub your jewelry more.
2
Brush the jewelry with lemon juice to break down the tarnish. Mix together equal parts lemon juice and warm water to make your cleaning solution. Let your jewelry sit in the lemon juice solution for about 10 minutes before taking it out and scrubbing it with a toothbrush. Rinse the jewelry in clean water before drying it.
- Don't use lemon juice without diluting first since it's highly acidic.
- Avoid submerging any jewelry that has fake stones since the solution could loosen the glue holding them in place.
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3
Rub toothpaste onto the jewelry to make it shine again. Squeeze a small dab of toothpaste onto a soft-bristled toothbrush and use it to scrub your jewelry. Move the brush in a circular motion and work the toothpaste into any small crevices. Keep scrubbing the jewelry until it starts to shine before rinsing it off under cold water. Dry the jewelry completely so it doesn't tarnish.
- Look for a toothpaste made for teeth whitening since it usually has baking soda, which helps clean any discoloration on your jewelry.
The acidity in ketchup can help you clean your jewelry if you're in a pinch. Put enough ketchup in a plate or bowl to cover your jewelry completely. Leave the jewelry in the ketchup for about 10 minutes so it can remove the tarnish. Rinse the ketchup off completely with cold water and dry it with a towel. ^{[1]
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Tip: Wash your jewelry with soapy water after you clean with ketchup to get rid of the smell.
5
Wipe the jewelry with soapy water if it has fake gemstones. Gemstones can easily break off if they're soaked in a solution for too long. Soak a cleaning cloth in warm water mixed with dish soap and wring it out before using it. Wipe your jewelry around the edges of the gemstones to gently clean any tarnish from it.
- Use a toothpick or cotton swab to get rid of tarnish in tight crevices and hard to reach places.
6
Use metal polish to bring your jewelry back to its original shininess. Sometimes your jewelry might not shine after you've cleaned it. Apply a dab of metal polish to a cleaning cloth and wipe your jewelry with it. Work in small circular motions to buff the metal and make it shine again. ^{[2]
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- You can buy metal polish from any home care store.