How to care for your jewellery?

Oxidation, the number one enemy of jewellery

It's undeniable: time and oxidation make jewelry lose their beauty. Oxidation is a natural chemical phenomenon that tarnishes metals and sometimes leaves indelible marks on your rings, bracelets and Necklaces. Without regular maintenance, your favorite pieces become unmovable and end up forgotten in the bottom of your jewelry box.

Fortunately, it is possible to give a new lease of life to jewellery that has become tarnished over time. A few tricks and a little elbow grease will allow you to give them back all their shine. Note, however, that these tips only apply to the metal parts of the jewellery and vary according to the metal. You should therefore first make sure you know what your jewellery is made of. In addition, be careful with the stones during the treatments, as certain manipulations could damage them.

How do you clean your gold jewellery?

In theory, gold is a stainless metal. However, in the world of jewellery, jewellery is never made of 100% pure gold. They are made from a mixture of gold and other metals, more or less precious, which can oxidise, blacken or tarnish over time.

To prevent your delicate gold coins from suffering from the ravages of time, they need to be cleaned regularly. To do this, there are several maintenance methods available: you can choose the one(s) that suits you best.

Tip #1: Soapy water

Here is a classic and effective method to quickly remove any black marks from your gold jewellery. Prepare a bowl of water mixed with Marseille soap and immerse your jewellery in the soapy water for two minutes. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently scrub the metal to remove any marks and impurities. To remove any soap residue, rinse your jewellery thoroughly with clean water before drying it on a cloth or paper towel. Finally, for more shine, don't hesitate to polish each piece with a soft cloth or a chamois.

Tip #2: Talc or baking powder

This method is both quick and easy. Sprinkle talcum powder or baking powder generously on your gold jewellery and rub it gently with a soft cloth. The talcum powder and baking powder will absorb any traces of oxidation. Then rinse your jewellery with clean water before wiping it dry on a clean cloth.

Tip #3: Onions

Strange as it may seem, onions are a great ally for cleaning gold jewellery. Prepare onion juice in a bowl and apply it directly to all the pieces you wish to clean. Still using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently scrub the surface of the metal to effectively remove any marks. Rinse the jewellery thoroughly with clean water before drying it on a dry cloth and polishing it with a chamois.

How do you clean your silver jewellery?

Unlike gold, silver is a metal that is quite sensitive to external influences. A number of parameters, such as air pollution, mean that this material tends to age less well. For this reason, it is very important to take special care of them.

If you don't clean your silver jewellery regularly enough, it will eventually turn black and gradually lose its shine. Don't wait until it's too late to apply our care tips! Follow the guide: your silver jewellery will be as good as new and you will enjoy wearing it even more.

Tip #1: Baking soda or lemon

The effectiveness of bicarbonate and lemon is well known when it comes to cleaning. That is why you should not hesitate to use them for theJewelry care in silver. Take a soft-bristled toothbrush and moisten it. Sprinkle a little bicarbonate on the bristles and gently rub the metal of your jewellery. The black marks will disappear in a flash and you will notice that the silver will quickly regain its shine. Once you have finished cleaning, rinse your pieces with clean water before polishing them with a chamois.

The process for cleaning with lemon is exactly the same: simply soak the bristles of the toothbrush in lemon juice and then gently scrub the metal.

Tip #2: Toothpaste

In the series of slightly confusing grandmotherly secrets, there is the toothpaste cleaning. Using a toothbrush, gently scrub the surface of the metal with a little toothpaste (be careful not to use too much). Rinse the jewellery thoroughly with clear water before leaving it to dry and polishing it with a chamois leather.

Tip #3: White vinegar or cola

Last but not least, cola or white vinegar are two great allies when it comes to removing stubborn stains.

Soak your jewellery in a bowl of white vinegar for 2 hours. As vinegar has a strong corrosive power, you will not even need to rub your jewellery to remove any traces of oxidation. Simply rinse with clean water and polish with a chamois cloth.

For cola, the process is (almost) the same. Leave your jewellery in a glass of cola overnight. As with vinegar cleaning, it will come out clean as a whistle. But be very careful when rinsing, otherwise your precious pieces may stick a bit.

How to clean your costume jewellery?

It is quite possible to clean your costume jewellery to give it a second youth. Often less durable than precious metal jewellery, these pieces are much more sensitive to time. It is therefore necessary to clean them regularly so that they do not wear out too quickly.

Tip #1: Lemon juice

Using a soft cloth soaked in lemon juice, gently rub the surface of your jewellery. It is important to be very thorough and not to rub too hard, otherwise it will be damaged. Rinse your pieces thoroughly before drying and polishing them.

Tip #2: Marseille soap or shampoo

For this method, take a damp sponge. Put a drop of shampoo or Marseille soap on it, then gently rub it all over your jewellery. Rinse with clean water to remove any product residue, then dry and polish.

Tip: for more precision, use a make-up sponge.

Tip #3: Vinegar, salt and flour

It is not uncommon for the weather to leave unsightly green stains on the surface of costume jewellery. Fortunately, it is possible to remove them with a very simple home-made recipe. In a bowl, make a mixture of 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 flour and 1/3 coarse salt. Mix everything together until you have a paste and gently massage it into your oxidised jewellery. Rinse each piece before drying and polishing.

Did you know that? You can protect your costume jewellery (non-precious metals) with a transparent varnish. Applied in a thin layer, it will prevent the attacks of time.

How to maintain your precious and semi-precious stones?

Precious and semi-precious stones are very popular in jewelry. However, they require special care to maintain their brilliance and value.

Step #1: Clean your stones

To clean its precious and semi-precious stones, use a soft, slightly damp cloth. Then dry with another soft, dry cloth.

It is also possible to soak your jewelry in cold to warm water mixed with Marseille soap, then clean with a damp cloth. Rinse thoroughly before drying with a soft dry cloth. However, be careful to rinse and dry your jewelry properly if you use this method.

Step #2: avoid scratches and bumps

Precious and semi-precious stones are prone to being scratched easily, so it is important to store them separately from your other jewelry or other sharp objects. You can also wrap your jewelry in a soft cloth or store it in individual pouches.

Also vulnerable to impact, avoid wearing them during strenuous activity or sports that could damage them. If you must wear them for a special occasion, be careful not to bump them against hard surfaces or objects.

Step #3: Seek out a professional

It is important to have your jewelry checked regularly by a professional jeweler to ensure that the stones are properly set and the settings are in good condition. Stones that are not set properly can come loose and get lost, which can be expensive to replace.