Ask an Expert How to Clean Your Jewelry

I've been home a lot this past year, so you can assume I've had time to organize my closets, cabinets, and sock drawers. And organizing ...... And organizing ......" Okay, we've procrastinated long enough: now it's time to get over that dirty tangle we call a "jewel box." (Open in new tab) There's a reason for that! These are the most valuable items in your wardrobe (opens in new tab) and should be treated as such. But starting it can be scary, which is why calling a friend is a good place to start.

With an obsession for jewelry, Jennifer Levitt, owner of Jennifer Levitt PR, spends a lot of time sending and returning jewelry samples to celebrities for shoots and events. Therefore, she spends a lot of time cleaning jewelry in between shipments. Lotions, soaps, and everyday dirt can get into the crevices, clasps, and settings. This can cause the jewelry to dull and discolor over time. I've even had a hair come back caught in the prongs and clasps. Terrible. But fortunately, there is an easy and accessible solution to restore the shine. I was given some basic jewelry care tips that are easy to do at home and basically fail-proof.

"Generally, to keep most gold and silver jewelry clean, a few drops of good old Dawn dishwashing detergent in warm water instead of hot water is sufficient. Soak it in that solution for five minutes and rinse with warm water. Then place it on an untreated microfiber cloth and buff it dry," says Levitt.

"If any visible dirt or grime remains, gently scrub with a new, baby-sized, soft-bristle toothbrush after removing it from the soap and water solution," says Levitt. 'Older toothbrushes may still have some toothpaste residue on them, which can cause scratches.' Rinse with warm water and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

"When cleaning silver jewelry, buff it completely dry before storing. Excess moisture will cause silver to tarnish faster, and the same goes for brass," Levitt explains.

"Don't use acidic household cleaners like witch hazel or vinegar, as they can damage certain metals and porous stones," Levitt warns.

"Baking soda can also be abrasive, scratching soft stones and metals.

"Softer stones like opals, pearls, turquoise, and coral, as well as jewelry made of natural materials like wood, mammoth, and bone, should be cleaned a little differently," says Levitt. These materials are sensitive to humidity and temperature and can shrink, expand, change color, or crack."

She adds, "The more you clean the jewelry, the better it will look.

She adds: "Until you have your stone or natural material professionally cleaned, we recommend gently wiping it with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any stains."

She adds, "If you have a stone or natural material that has been cleaned, it is best to wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth.

As for your great-grandmother's engagement ring, you may not want to use dish detergent." Levitt explains, "Certain pieces (such as heirlooms, vintage pieces in unique settings, or items of high monetary or sentimental value) should really be cleaned by a professional jeweler. "They can truly assess how your piece needs to be treated and have the cleaning solutions and equipment (such as ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners) to deal with each cleaning situation."

"They can also help you to identify the most appropriate cleaning solution for your piece.