Your jewelry is a priceless, shining collection of your special moments and memories. That’s why it’s critical to keep your treasures glittering brightly as the day you first wore them. The best way to do this is through proper cleaning. With the wonder of the internet, it’s easy to find a ton of information about cleaning jewelry. But a lot of that advice is frighteningly false and will damage your precious pieces. At Meritage, we know a thing or two about caring for fine jewelry. Plus, we love breaking the rules … but not your valuables. So, let’s shatter the top three common myths about jewelry cleaning so you don’t harm your cherished pieces.
Put Down the Toothpaste
Plenty of websites will suggest that you use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. Now, we’ll have to stop you right there. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive, meaning it’s basically like sandpaper. Now, imagine taking sandpaper to a treasured gold piece. It wouldn’t be a pretty sight. Toothpaste can scratch softer metals such as gold and silver, thoroughly ruining your prized valuables.
Step Away From the Boiling Water
Another myth is that you should plop your timeless treasures into boiling or hot water. For some reason, people believe this will shake dirt loose from hard to reach places. They would be terribly wrong. Boiling water will actually cause damage to gemstones and metals. First off, gemstones can experience shock when being dropped suddenly in hot water, creating small fractures. Second, the heat causes metal to expand, loosening its hold on stones. So, best not dunk your jewelry in boiling or hot water.
Say “No” to Chemicals
Last but least, you’ll get a lot of advice online that advises using various household items to clean your jewelry, such as white wine vinegar, baking soda and alcohol. Just because it’s a household item doesn’t mean it should be used. Why? Because many products tarnish and ruin your jewelry. And in the case of alcohol, it actively dries out certain gemstones and causes cracking.
Say “Hello” to Soap and Water
You may find yourself asking “Well, what should I use to clean my jewelry?” That’s an excellent question and one we can most definitely answer! The best way to clean your jewelry is simply with some mild dish soap, warm water, a very soft toothbrush and a cleaning cloth. With pearls, all you need is the cleaning cloth to gently wipe them off, since they are very delicate.
Yes, it’s really that simple!
Of course, you should also take your fine jewelry into Meritage every six months to be professionally cleaned and inspected. We’ll not only get your jewelry shimmering like new, but we’ll also do a full inspection and tighten any stones that might be loose.
Break the Rules with Meritage
Now that you know how not to clean your jewelry, you can hopefully make your treasures glimmer for a lifetime. That’s certainly why we decided to break these common myths, because we’d hate to see your gorgeous pieces harmed. And when you’re ready to add to your collection, stop by Meritage. We have an extensive selection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry for you to explore. Plus, we’re no strangers to fun. After all, we’re the only jewelry store in the area with a bar. So visit us at 1620 York Road in Lutherville.