Tips to Save Your Jewellery from Tarnishing or Fading

Jewellery, whether it is the real thing, simulated or costume jewellery, can be ruined if not cared for correctly. Jewels may fade and metals may tarnish over time, but there are some tips you can follow to prevent this from happening.

At Tru Diamonds™ we firmly believe that prevention as they say, is far easier than curing the damage once it has been done!

Here are some of our tips to keep your Tru Diamonds™ jewellery looking shiny and new, as well as some practical solutions to reverse the damage should it occur.

Prevention Last On, First Off

The general rule of thumb with jewellery is that it should be the last thing you put on before leaving the house, and the first thing you take off when you get home. This minimises harmful contact it may make with chemicals in the air or on your skin.

Wipe Down After Every Use

Sweat, moisturisers, perfumes and sunscreens can all cause chemical reactions in your jewellery if they come into contact for prolonged periods of time. The best thing you can do to prevent this corrosion is to take it off whilst you are using a harmful chemical, but then you stand the risk of forgetting to put it back on. Failing this, be sure to wipe down your jewellery with a dry cloth after using substances that might be harmful to it. Gemstones should always be kept clear of chlorine, bleach, hand cream or any other harsh chemical that can erode the polish off the stone.

Store Plated Jewellery in Airtight Plastic Bags

The biggest contributing factor to tarnishing is moisture. There is moisture in the air around us that can be really harmful to plated metals. You can keep your jewellery pieces safe by storing them individually in small plastic bags (like Ziploc bags – if out of the sun/heat or a drawstring fabric bag). Remember to squeeze out all the excess air before closing. You can get these bags from jewellery shops, bead shops or even your local stationers.

Keep Out of Reach of Water

This rule is also fairly self-explanatory. Remove all jewellery before showering, washing the dishes or swimming to avoid water damage.

Sunlight and Heat Are Not Your Friends

Direct heat and sunlight can spell disaster for your jewellery pieces as they may cause them to fade prematurely. Gemstones in particular will become dull after extended periods of exposure. Keep your jewellery far away from sunshine through a window or heat from a radiator.

Use Clear Nail Varnish on Plated Rings

Some rings can turn your finger green with repeated use. This is due to a chemical reaction between the sweat under the band, chemicals on the skin and the metal in the ring. Copper is the main culprit, even when used as an alloy. Sterling silver may also cause this reaction. A clever way to prevent this common problem is to coat the inside of your ring band with a thin layer of clear nail varnish. You won’t be able to see or feel it, but it will act as a protective barrier, saving your finger from an embarrassing green stain, and your ring from tarnishing.

Removal

• As a first step, use a polishing cloth to buff up your jewellery and remove any residue that may be on the surface.
• If you notice there is a heavy build-up of oils on one of your pieces of jewellery, you should wash the item in warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly afterwards. Mild dish washing liquid is a great grease cutter. Do not submerge your jewellery in the water if it contains pearls or gemstones. Instead, use a cotton bud or swab to wash only the metal parts. Be sure to rinse off any soap residue before drying.
• If this is still not enough, you should look for a professional cleaning solution, such as the Sparkles Jewellery Spray Cleaning Kit, available from Tru Diamonds™.
• Don’t use silver polish on plated jewellery as it can strip the thin plated layer completely.
• For extreme damage, it is best to seek professional assistance for more advanced equipment and techniques.