1. Platinum and Diamonds – Baking Soda, Salt, Warm Water, Soft Tooth Brush
Line a bowl with a piece of foil and fill with warm water, salt, and dish soap. Dip your soft-bristled toothbrush into water and then into the baking soda creating a paste. Scrub pieces lightly. Ultrasoft bristles or a soft, lint-free cloth will let you stay on the safe side—that super old band t-shirt of your ex’s will work fine. This method can be used on harder stones and metals, like diamonds and platinum, but should be avoided for softer metals like silver and gold, as well as for pearls.
2. Silver Jewelry in Hot Water
Baking soda again makes an appearance here, as soaking silver in a mixture of the poder and hot water is a great way to get rid of tarnish. Remember to line your bowl with foil, though, as the water will get clouded with the tarnish thanks to the ion exchange. No scrubbing needed– just grab a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe away any remaining tarnish.
3. Gold Jewelry
Gold at it’s purest is called 24k gold. If your jewelry is less than 24 karats, this means it’s mixed with other metals (alloys). Contrary to what you might think, that’s not necessarily bad– it simply means it’s harder and more durable. Gold by itself is very soft and prone to scratching, so mixing it with 10 or more parts alloy increases its longevity.Â
You’ll want to keep this in mind when cleaning your gold, and make sure you check for a mark indicating its makeup. A jewelry cleaning solution specifically created for gold is a safe and effective way to keep your pieces in good shape, but you can make your own recipe for an at-home shine:
Using gloves, mix a gentle dish detergent (we recommend Dawn) in warm (not hot!) water. Add a few drops of ammonia, and carefully brush with a new, baby-size soft toothbrush. Place in lukewarm water to rinse, then air dry or carefully towel-dry with paper towel or regular cloth.
