Protecting & cleaning jewelry increases the value


Cleaning Jewelry and protecting your fine Antique Jewelry and estate jewelry by storing it in the best possible condition, makes it more sought after and therefore more valuable. However cleaning fine jewelry is fraught with danger especially for the over-enthusiastic new collector.

Some of the cleaning jewelry tips on this page are from the book, by Judith Miller,"How To Make Money Out Of Antiques", 1995.

AMBER
Gently wash in warm soapy water. Thoroughly rinsed and dried. wipe on a little olive oil with cotton wool, then wipe off.

AQUAMARINE
Cleaning jewelry with aquamarine involves gently washing the stones with tepid soapy water, then rinse and dry.

CAMEOS
Clean Cameo jewelry by first removing grease with a small artist's brush dipped in white spirit. Then brush over the affected area with a solution of warm soapy water plus a couple of drops of ammonia. Rinse by brushing on clean water, before drying with a piece of chamois leather.

CORAL
Remove grime with cotton buds dipped in a solution of warm water plus a little detergent. remove stubborn deposits with a paste of crocus powder and water, again gently applied with a cotton bud. Finally, when cleaning jewelry with real coral rinse with clean water.

DIAMONDS
Wash in warm soapy water removing stubborn grease and grime by brushing on a little methylated spirits and ammonia.

EMERALDS
Gently wash in a solution of warm soapy water and a few drops of ammonia.

IVORY
Wipe down with a soft sloth moistened with warm water and a little detergent. The wipe with clean water and dry thoroughly. Finally, wipe on a little almond oil and leave for a couple of minutes and wipe off.

JADE
Clean with a soft cloth moistened with warm soapy water and a couple of drops of ammonia.

JET
Clean by gently rubbing with pieces of fresh bread. This unusual method really brings out the shine!

OPALS
Clean opal jewelry with cotton buds dipped in warm, soapy water. Rinse, applying clean water with cotton buds dry.

PEARLS
Cleaning pearls is a subject in itself. Click here for cleaning and caring of Pearls.

RUBY - RUBIES
Clean ruby jewelry by gently rubbing with cotton wool bud dipped in warm soapy water. Then rinse and dry thoroughly, before lightly wiping down with a piece of chamois leather moistened with alcohol.

SAPPHIRES
Clean in the same way as Rubies (above).

TORTOISESHELL
Build Your Own Website! Wash with warm soapy water, rise and dry thoroughly. Then, either apply a fine, white wax polish or wipe on a little almond oil.

TURQUOISE
Clean with a cotton bud dipped in methylated spirits.


Read more in our Antique Jewelry Glossary




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