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by Robin Neorr
Anyone who collects vintage jewelry, whether through inheritance or the purchase of estate jewelry, knows how beautiful these treasures can be. Crafted over 100 years ago, these jewelry pieces were often handmade by skilled artists. Having acquired these items, you want to take care of them. Whether it is a prized family heirloom or an estate-sale find, any piece of antique jewelry needs to be cleaned with great care. Occasionally, you will need to take your items to a professional jeweler, but with these few steps, you'll find that cleaning antique jewelry at home is easy.
Older jewelry needs some preventive care to stay in good condition. When you first acquire a piece of antique jewelry, take it to a jeweler who specializes in repairing older jewelry to have it inspected for loose stones and damaged settings or clasps. Then let the jeweler clean the piece, removing tarnish from metals if you wish. Always inspect the jewelry before you clean it and take it to a jeweler if it needs repairs. Pieces worn daily should be cleaned bimonthly. Pieces worn rarely should be cleaned after each use.
Use a brush to clean your antique jewelry. Gently brush your item with a soft-bristle toothbrush to loosen and eliminate dust. Dip the toothbrush in clean water and continue to clean. Do not soak the jewelry. Dry the item with a lint-free towel. Use this method when you're cleaning antique jewelry that has gemstones or pearls.
Use these alternative cleaning methods on gold and silver. For gold jewelry that doesn't contain any jewels, prepare a solution of one part ammonia to two parts water in a glass bowl. Quickly dip the jewelry in the solution, brush with a soft-bristle brush and dry with a towel. For silver jewelry that doesn't contain any jewels, make thick paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub the paste on the piece with a cloth. Rinse the jewelry with water and dry it. Then, using a soft toothbrush, gently brush the entire piece.
Make sure the jewelry is dry before you put it away. To thoroughly dry the jewelry, place it on a dry towel and leave it overnight. After it is completely dry, store your antique jewelry in a fabric-lined box or in a glass display case.
Do not use a cleaner that contains vinegar, acids or alcohols on antique jewelry; they can damage the finish, especially on gemstones. For instance, the delicate details and precious stones that make the item shine can be tarnished forever if acid-based products are used on it.
