For proper jewelry care, you must know what you’re cleaning and how to clean it. The brand of jewelry cleaner we normally recommend is Connoisseurs. They make 3 different dip cleaner jars for precious, Silver, and delicate jewelry, as well as other jewelry cleaning products.

 

Fine: Gold, Diamonds, and Precious Stones

  • Comes in a red jar with a gold accent label on the front.
  • Use it at least once a week or more.  (Depending on how dirty your jewelry may be)
  • A soft bristled brush is recommended to scrub the jewelry. (Upon purchasing the cleaner it will come with a brush and a little basket to set your jewelry in.) 
  • The longer you soak the jewelry, the cleaner your jewelry may get.
  • Some examples of Precious stones include: Diamonds, Sapphires, Emeralds, and Rubies.

Silver: Sterling Silver Jewelry 

  • This also comes in a red jar, but has a silver accent label on it.
  • Use this as often as you wish, once again depending on how dirty your jewelry may be. This mixture is only for Sterling Silver jewelry, it may tarnish any other type of jewelry.
  • This jar will also come with a brush and basket.
  • Soaking time is the same as the previous jar.

Delicate: Semi-Precious Stones & Pearls

  • Comes in a red jar with a pink accent label.
  • Similar rules as the previous jars. Soak time must be shorter as Semi-Precious stones are more delicate.
  • It is possible that the stones or Pearls are held in your jewelry by glue, and the cleaner may eventually wear away at that glue causing the stones to become loose.
  • Some examples of Semi-Precious stones include: Pearl, Black Onyx, Opal, Blue Topaz, and Moonstone.

Tips for Cleaning

  • Perfume, sweat, body oils, lotion, soap, hair spray, etc., are not good for your jewelry and make it look cloudy and dirty.
  • Do not wear your jewelry in a situation where you can make your jewelry dirty. i.e., washing the dishes, getting ready in the morning, washing your hands, gardening, etc.
  • Anything like a diamond engagement ring should not be worn when putting lotion on or any action from the above bullet.
  • Avoid touching the top of your diamond engagement ring at all costs. The oil from your skin creates a film which makes it looks super cloudy and dirty. If you do, use a polishing cloth to wipe away the oils.
  • We recommend at least once a year to get your engagement ring professionally cleaned, polished, and dipped in rhodium (if they’re white gold). Also get the prongs around the  diamond (and if you have diamonds on your band) checked!
  • We work with a few repair shops down the hall from us that do yearly cleanings for us.

If you’re interested in getting your jewelry professionally cleaned give us a call at (412) 424-6007. Or just stop in and we can give them a quick dip and steam them off for you!