Keeping My Jewelry Clean

The Pearl Republic staff has tried to cover below every circumstance that might arise, but no doubt you may have a special situation or need. In this case, address an e-mail to info and mention Lauren at the top of your question. She is the person with the most expertise, or she may forward it to another individual who can provide the answer.

[For a special purchase polishing cloth click here. This is a dual purpose, treated cloth. Use the white for cleaning, and the blue for polishing. Presto! Your valuable jewelry looks like new. While they last this polishing cloth is only $5.50. Save $9.50. (A $15 value.)]

Our staff also recommends printing this entire document for future reference. And feel free to forward it to family, friends and acquaintances. You and they will find it to be the most complete jewelry cleaning guide on the Internet

Applicable to All Types of Jewelry

Store your jewelry in the Pearl Republic pouch and in a clean dry place.

Keep each piece stored separately and in separate compartments to avoid scratches. This is particularly important with pearl jewelry. Pearls can scratch easily when metal or gem stones are rubbed against them.

We recommend that each piece be wrapped in tissue to avoid scratches. And, when traveling, store each wrapped piece in a sealed plastic bag. (Exception: Leather. (See below)(Also see box below)

Remove your jewelry when doing heavy work such as house cleaning or gardening. Even durable gemstones are susceptible to chipping. And strong detergents, chemicals and bleach can be harmful to both the metal and the gemstone.

Remove your jewelry when entering a pool or spa tub. The sudden temperature change and/or pool chemicals can be harmful to your jewelry.

Remove your jewelry when applying hair spray, spray deodorant, body lotions or perfume/cologne. These items can cause your jewelry to become dull.

Check your jewelry often as normal wear can cause prongs, mountings or strings to loosen or wear. If this occurs, any jeweler will be able to tighten the fastenings or re-string the necklace. A local crafts store may be able to restring.

NEVER use toothpaste to clean any of your jewelry. It is too abrasive and can be harmful to both the metal and the gems.

Pearl and Mother of Pearl Jewelry

Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free 100% cotton cloth as soon as you take them off. This will remove any perspiration or oil that may have come from the skin. Do not pull as you may break the string. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry on a clean towel before putting them away in your storage pouch.

If the pearls are dirty, they may be cleaned with a mild soap (such as Ivory liquid soap) and mild tempered (NOT hot) water.  Do NOT soak the pearls and do NOT use a toothbrush to clean. Just swish them quickly in the mild soap and tepid water solution and then clean gently with a soft lint-free 100% cotton cloth. NO abrasive cloths, polyester cloths, or paper towels because these can contain wood fibers or synthetics which can scratch your jewelry. Leave pearls to dry on a soft lint-free 100% cotton towel for an extended period of time to ensure that the pearls are completely dry.

DO NOT use a steamer, an ultrasonic cleaner or any cleaning solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents. This can wear away the nacre and/or cause color change.

You may store your pearls in zip-lock plastic, but leave a little space for air entry. Better still, just store your pearls in the pouch, again allowing air entry. Pearls are organic and need to “breathe.” This is the reason you should never store your pearls in a safe-deposit box or air-tight container. They may become brittle and crack.

Sterling Silver Jewelry (without gemstones)

After every wear, wipe your jewelry with a soft, lint-free 100% cotton cloth. Gently rub each piece clean using the soft pads of your fingers. Sterling silver is a very soft metal and can be easily marred by a fingernail or an abrasive fabric pushed roughly around the metal surface.

To help retard tarnish that occurs on Sterling Silver when it is exposed to air, wrap the clean piece in tissue paper and place it inside a plastic zip lock bag and seal. 

To remove fingerprints or tarnish, use a jewelry polishing cloth. These are inexpensive and can be purchased at any fine jewelry store. Again, the cloth needs to be clean and applied gently to the jewelry to avoid scratches. Click here for Polishing Cloth, just $5.50 (you save $9.50).

For jewelry that needs more intense cleaning for the removal of such things as dirt or grease, your jewelry may be cleaned by soaking it in a solution of warm water and a very small amount of mild soap such as Ivory liquid soap. Leave your jewelry in this solution for no more than two to three minutes.  If necessary, rub gently with 100% cotton cloth. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely before storing in an air tight plastic bag. Use only 100% cotton cloth. Do NOT use a paper towel as this could scratch the silver.

Sterling Silver Jewelry (with gemstones)

For those pieces of jewelry that contain gemstones, a little extra care needs to be applied.

For a light cleaning of the jewelry, wipe your jewelry with a clean jewelry polishing cloth. Do NOT use any jewelry dips as they can be harmful to both the silver and the gemstone.

For jewelry that needs more intense cleaning for the removal of such things as dirt or grease, soak the entire piece of jewelry, including the gemstone, in a solution of warm water and a very small amount of mild soap such as Ivory liquid soap. Leave your jewelry in this solution for no more than two to three minutes.  To lift any dirt that may have formed around the gemstone, rub gently with a 100% cotton cloth. Or, for more stubborn dirt, gently apply a clean, soft non-bristled brush (such as a SOFT toothbrush) to loosen the dirt. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Dry completely before storing in an air tight plastic bag.

Cubic Zirconia

Soak your jewelry in a solution of warm water and a very small amount of mild soap such as Ivory liquid soap for no more than two to three minutes. Use a SOFT brush (such as a SOFT toothbrush) if necessary to remove any dirt.

Gently swish the jewelry around in the water solution to assure that it is thoroughly clean.

Rinse in warm water. Dry using a 100% lint-free cotton cloth.  Make sure the jewelry is completely dry before storing.

Leather Necklace

Hold the necklace by the leather itself, NOT by the rings or clasps, and then gently wipe the necklace with a clean and slightly damp 100% cotton cloth. Do NOT soak in any water solution.

Store in tissue only. Do NOT store in a plastic bag as leather needs to “breathe”.

Store in a cool, dark place away from any intense heat or sunlight.