A Few Simple Steps for Cleaning Antique Jewelry

If that piece of antique jewelry were just a little cleaner, wouldn't you wear it more often? But the idea of taking chemicals or some other cleaner to your grandmother's broche is just something you don't want to deal with. What sorts of materials are safe for cleaning and what should be avoided? Are there any special tips or procedures I should follow? These are the questions this article will answer, and when you've finished reading you'll be better equipped to take out that piece of antique jewelry and wear it with pride.

As you might guess, it is important to read the label of any cleaning solution you intend to use on your piece of antique jewelry. It is important to make sure the cleaning solution doesn't contain ammonia, vinegar, or any other acids or alcohols. These chemicals might harm the finish of your antique jewelry. They could also damage any stones or materials used to mount the stones. But it's not just chemicals you have to watch out for.

Although the old standby of good old soap and water might be good for some cleaning situations, it isn't the best choice for cleaning your piece of antique jewelry. Soaps can leave a residue on your jewelry, making the metal look flat and the stones look dull. Aside from that, the water might dissolve mounting materials such as glue and run the risk of losing the gems from your piece.

If the primary problem is dust, you can simply use a very soft toothbrush to clean your piece of antique jewelry. Use the softest toothbrush you can find, and of course make sure there is no toothpaste residue left on the bristles. A brand new toothbrush, set aside for cleaning your older pieces of jewelry, might be the safest bet.

A very important step in cleaning any piece of antique jewelry is ensuring it is thoroughly dried when you're finished with it. Keep moisture and dampness away from stored jewelry also, since dampness is a culprit who encourages verdigris, rust, pitting of plated metals, and other damaging conditions.

So there you have a quick rundown on the care and cleaning of your antique jewelry. Of course, if you're still a little gun shy about damaging a piece from cleaning, you could always take it to a professional jeweler to have it cleaned. Remember it is important that you don't do anything to modify a piece of antique jewelry, since doing so could drastically decrease its value as a collectible.

Wouldn't your grandmother be proud if she could see her antique broche all spruced up and ready for a night on the town?

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