Keeping It Clean, or, Jewelry's Dirty Little Secrets

If you own jewelry, it needs to be cleaned. Dust, dirt, lotions, skin oils, food, glue, paint, and everything else will eventually end up on your jewelry. The best option is to bring your jewelry into Chipper’s to have it cleaned. We first inspect your jewelry to determine if stones are falling out or repairs are needed. Then we’ll use state-of-the-art skills and tools to remove the gunk, and clean and dry your items while you browse. 

Since regular cleaning is recommended, and not everyone is fortunate enough to live near Chipper’s Jewelry, here are a few tips and tricks for cleaning your jewelry, keeping your precious stones safe, and making sure you can enjoy your treasures for a lifetime. 

• First, inspect your jewelry. 

Use the highest magnification you have available to take a look at your jewelry up close. A jeweler’s loupe or digital microscope works best, but even without special tools, you will be able to see and feel most of the areas of concern. 
Broken shanks, chains, and clasps are easy to spot. Worn, bent, or broken prongs and loose stones can be a little harder to detect. Use a toothpick to see if you can move stones in their settings. Prongs and channels wear down and will eventually threaten the security of gemstones. Look for sharp edges, lifted, bent, or broken prongs, loose stones, or empty settings. 

• When in doubt, don’t.

While some metals and stones can survive almost any type of cleaning, most jewelry should be cleaned with gentle cleaning solutions and tools. If you aren’t sure, ask a jeweler before choosing a cleaning method, because even water can damage certain types of jewelry. Once you determine how your jewelry can be cleaned, proceed with caution. 

• When cleaning antique or vintage jewelry, remove the dirt, but leave the character.

Patina and tarnish can be part of what gives antique and vintage jewelry its one-of-a-kind look. Modern cleaning and polishing can permanently damage or remove finishes that have developed over decades. Proceed with caution to clean without changing the overall appearance. 

• Ultrasonic cleaners can shake things up.

Ultrasonic cleaners are a great way to loosen and remove material that builds up in hard-to-reach places. Without spending too much time on how high-frequency sound waves create bubbles that cling to dirt particles and pull them away from your jewelry, we recommend checking with a jeweler to make sure your jewelry will survive the process. 
Vibration, high temperatures, and cleaning chemicals can damage soft, porous, filled, or enhanced stones. Always verify that ultrasonic cleaning is safe for your jewelry. Tip: If your jewelry has stones that may come out during cleaning, first put the item in a small plastic Ziploc bag with some of the cleaning solution. Then, if stones come out while in the ultrasonic cleaner, they will be easy to find, and you can have your jeweler reset them. 

• The technique is more important than the cleaning solution.

While a sturdy gold or platinum ring with securely set diamonds can be dropped in the ultrasonic cleaner, scrubbed with a soapy toothbrush, and then held under the spray from the steamer nozzle until it’s practically sterilized without fear of damage, most jewelry must be treated with much more care. 
When cleaning fragile jewelry, or jewelry that is sensitive to heat or moisture, use a damp cloth or soft brush to keep from soaking delicate stones or settings. Use a soft cloth or compressed air to dry items, and be careful not to remove antiquing or patinas that give the jewelry its character. 

• Ask the experts how to keep your jewelry looking its best. 

In conclusion, a little experience and effort will help keep your jewelry clean and beautiful for many years. When in doubt, ask your jeweler about tools and techniques. Avoid damaging your jewelry by carefully following instructions, and then enjoy showing off your sparkling jewelry.