|
For use on |
Not for use on |
Notes and How to |
|
|
Polishing cloths |
Sterling silver, gold, gold-filled, brass, bronze, copper, glass/mirrors, and more Pieces with a polished finish or where a polished finish is desired. |
Plated metal. Pieces with a matte or brushed finish - cloths may overshine these finishes. |
Simply rub the cloth on the material you’re hoping to clean or polish. Polishing cloths take a little elbow grease. Don’t be afraid to put some oomph into it. Cloth will turn black as it removes tarnish and can continue to be used even when it appears very dirty. In our shop, we basically use them until they're in tatters. If cloth stops polishing, it's time for a new cloth. Each cloth is impregnated with special chemical cleansing agents and non-scratching micro-abrasives and should not be washed. |
| Dry microfiber cloths | Acrylic. |
A clean microfiber cloth is safe for any piece of jewelry. |
Gently rub away any fingerprints or smudges. While acrylic can come into light contact with water, it's best to keep them dry and away from heat as much as possible. |
|
Warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush or non-abrasive cloth |
Sterling silver, gold, gold-filled, brass, bronze, copper. Pieces with a matte finish. |
Pieces with a high polish finish - even the softest toothbrushes and cloths can leave micro abrasions which can dull jewelry with a high polish finish. Plated metal may also be damaged by soft toothbrushes. |
Let your piece soak in warm water and gentle soap for at least 15 minutes, then use a soft non-abrasive cloth (100% cotton or microfiber) and/or a soft toothbrush to gently wipe and clean metal and stones. Dry thoroughly. |
|
Windex and a soft, non-abrasive cloth |
Plated metal. Won’t hurt other types of metal, but the methods above will likely be more effective. |
Softer or porous stones. |
Apply a squirt of Windex to the metal. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth (100% cotton or microfiber) to wipe clean. Plated metal is difficult to clean. Remember we’re here to help if you’ve got stubborn patina. |
General notes:
- None of the tips we’ve given here will damage your jewelry beyond repair, but clean your jewelry at your own risk. Take special care around fiber or leather components, and painted or epoxied areas of jewelry. These tips are meant to be safe for metal and most stones, not other materials.
- Cleaning is not equivalent to refinishing. In fact, some of these cleaning methods may result in a brighter or duller finish than your piece originally came with. Bring refinishing jobs to us.
- Do not attempt to clean chemically oxidized surfaces (darker metal parts).
- Do not use polishing cloths on plated metal as they can be damaged by the abrasiveness of the cloth.
- Don’t use chemical dips. We don't recommend it and we cannot be responsible for any damage caused by dip polishing your jewelry. We've seen chains become brittle and break after being dipped. Additionally, dip can react in unpredictable and sometimes unfortunate ways with oxidized, wax-sealed, and painted surfaces.
- Be careful with other home remedies you may find on the internet. Not all cleaning methods are safe for all materials. We don’t share cleaning methods that are safe for some materials and could damage others. When in doubt, get in touch with us first.