There’s nothing worse than reaching for your favorite piece of jewelry only to realize it’s lost its shine. Jewelry needs a little love to stay looking fresh, and the good news is, you don’t have to go overboard to get it sparkling again. Whether you’re dealing with gold, rose gold, silver, or diamonds, each type of jewelry deserves a little special treatment. Here are some practical yet effective tips for getting every piece in your collection back to its best self!
This article is sponsored by Colonial Jewelers
You Might Also Be Interested In
- Tips for Finding the Right Gemstone
- Taking Care of Your Fine Jewelry
- Boss Lady Style Tips: How to Dress Like a Million Bucks
- 5 Fashion Tips From a Personal Stylist
Gold Jewelry: The Classic Shine
Gold is the queen of metals—timeless and elegant. But it’s also a little high-maintenance and can scratch easily, so it needs a gentle approach.
How Often to Clean: Every 2-3 months should do the trick, but if you’re wearing it every day, a quick wipe-down every few weeks will help prevent buildup.
How to Clean: Grab a bowl of warm water, add a few drops of mild dish soap, and let your gold jewelry soak for about 15 minutes. Use a soft brush (a toothbrush works great) to give it a gentle scrub, especially around any crevices. Rinse well with clean water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Pro tip: Avoid anything abrasive. Baking soda, toothpaste, or hard-bristle brushes are a no-go for gold!
Gold-Plated Jewelry: Handle with Care
Gold-plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold on top of another metal, so it needs a softer touch to keep that thin layer from wearing off.
How Often to Clean: Every 3-4 months to keep it from dulling, and avoid over-cleaning so you don’t wear down the gold layer.
How to Clean: Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe down gold-plated pieces. No soaking, no scrubbing—just a gentle touch. If it’s looking especially dull, you can add a drop of mild soap to the cloth and give it a once-over, then rinse quickly and pat dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Storage tip: Store it separately to prevent it from rubbing against other pieces and losing its luster.
Rose Gold: Pretty in Pink
Rose gold’s unique color comes from copper, which can tarnish or darken over time. But with a little care, you can keep that romantic glow going strong.
How Often to Clean: Every 1-2 months, or weekly if you’re wearing it daily (and who can blame you, rose gold is gorgeous!).
How to Clean: The gentle approach works best. Add a drop or two of mild soap to a bowl of warm water and let your rose gold piece soak for 10-15 minutes. Use a soft cloth or brush to clean it off, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Avoid anything abrasive; copper doesn’t like rough treatment.
Pro tip: Due to the copper content, rose gold can react with chemicals. Keep it away from lotions, perfumes, and sweat. Remove it when you’re getting ready to avoid buildup.
Sterling Silver: Tarnish’s Favorite Target
Sterling silver has a bit of copper mixed in, which means it’s not exactly tarnish-proof. No need to fear! Keeping it shiny doesn’t require a chemistry degree.
How Often to Clean: At least once a month, especially if you see tarnish starting to appear. If you wear it daily, a quick wipe every couple of weeks helps keep it looking fresh.
How to Clean: A silver polishing cloth works wonders! These cloths are made to remove tarnish without scratching. For a DIY fix, make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it gently, and rinse. Just make sure to avoid over-scrubbing. After you’re done, rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Storage tip: Store sterling silver in anti-tarnish pouches or cloths to minimize exposure to air, which speeds up tarnishing.
Pure Silver (Fine Silver): Extra Care for Extra Purity
Pure silver, or fine silver, is 99.9% silver. It doesn’t tarnish as quickly as sterling, but it’s also softer and more prone to scratches, so a light touch is key.
How Often to Clean: Every few months should be fine for pure silver. If it’s worn daily, consider a gentle wipe-down every couple of weeks.
How to Clean: Use a few drops of mild soap in warm water and gently rub with a soft cloth. Avoid anything abrasive or chemical-based—pure silver is delicate and needs gentle care. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots.
Storage Tip: Just like sterling, pure silver is best kept in a separate, lined pouch to avoid scratches.
Platinum: The Strong and Silent Type
Platinum is the rockstar of metals: strong, durable, and almost tarnish-proof. It can get a little dull over time, so regular cleaning will help it keep that high-end look.
How Often to Clean: Every 2-3 months to maintain shine. If you want to keep it looking mirror-like, consider an annual professional polish.
How to Clean: A simple soap and water solution works wonders. Soak it for a few minutes, then use a soft brush to remove dirt. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth. Platinum is durable, but harsh chemicals like bleach can weaken it, so avoid those.
Pro tip: If you love the high-shine look, a jeweler can polish it once a year to remove scratches and bring back its natural gleam.
Diamonds: The Sparkle Factor
Diamonds tend to pick up oils from your skin, which can dull their sparkle. Keeping them clean will help them keep their glimmer, and fortunately, it’s quite simple!
How Often to Clean: Monthly for everyday wearers; every few months if you only wear them on special occasions.
How to Clean Diamond Jewelry: For diamonds, mix one part ammonia with six parts water. Soak for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a soft toothbrush (especially around the setting). Rinse with water and dry with a lint-free cloth. Keep in mind, if your diamond piece includes softer stones, stick to mild soap and water to protect the more delicate gems.
Final Tips for a Flawless Jewelry Collection
Store Separately: Jewelry boxes lined with soft fabric or individual pouches keep your pieces from scratching each other. For tarnish-prone metals like silver, anti-tarnish pouches are a lifesaver.
Skip the Lotions and Perfumes: Chemicals in these products can dull metals and stones. Put jewelry on after getting ready to keep it in top shape.
Professional Cleaning Once a Year: Jewelers have specialized tools that can remove deep-set dirt and polish out scratches. For especially precious or complex pieces, an annual cleaning is worth it.
With these tips, your jewelry will be ready to shine, whether it’s for a big night out or just another day at the office. No magic, no fuss—just a little love and care to keep every piece as stunning as the day you got it.
Subscribe so you don’t miss a post
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates!