With the advent of Swarovski crystals, luxury and beauty have become more accessible. Any piece of jewelry with these crystals turns into a masterpiece of jewelry. Due to the fact that the material is coated with a thin layer of gold or rhodium, which creates a decorative and protective effect, its care requires a special approach.
The manufacturer's recommendations will help you understand how to care for Swarovski crystals in order to keep the jewelry in excellent condition for a long time. Choose a convenient way to clean or care for your crystals every day.
Lint-free napkin
Non-woven cloths are quite often used in cleaning jewelry. You can use both regular cosmetic wipes and special wipes. You can buy them in jewelry stores and shops in the city.
To avoid leaving fingerprints on the crystals, wear cotton gloves. Polish the stone in a circular motion until it becomes shiny and no marks are visible.
It is recommended to clean the crystals with a napkin quite often, at least once a week when wearing the product every day. This method is quite gentle and will allow you to keep the jewelry in proper condition.
Some useful tips and notes
- Wearing jewelry with Swarovski crystals should be the last thing, that is, after makeup has been applied, the hairstyle is ready and hairspray, perfume and other perfumes have been used.
- It is recommended to remove crystals before visiting the pool, swimming in the sea or taking a bath.
- It is best to store jewelry with Swarovski crystals in a soft fabric bag, which prevents scratches and chips.
- For cleaning, do not use hard sponges or sanding material, which will quickly destroy the top layer of the crystal.
- Do not use alcohol, paste or other solutions containing abrasive substances to clean products.
- Do not soak Swarovski crystals in detergent or plain water.
- When the crystals are heated, the protective coating is destroyed.
Love your jewelry, give it the opportunity to look great without expiration date.
What methods are suitable for cleaning stones separately?
Precious stones differ not only in appearance, they have unique properties. Therefore, cleaning methods will differ for different stones. The following list includes methods for the most popular jewelry:
- Pearls, coral and amber. These stones are extremely delicate, so use only flannel chamois to polish them. This will protect your coral, amber and pearl jewelry from scratches. Also, do not use ammonia to clean them, as this will only increase the tarnish.
- Diamond, ruby, quartz, topaz, sapphire, emerald. These are hard stones, so for them you can resort to a mixture of tooth powder and ammonia solution.
- Malachite, agate, moonstone, apatite and opal are best treated with medical alcohol. Naturally, after this they need to be polished.
- There is a universal and safe remedy suitable for all types of stones - glycerin. This is especially convenient for those who do not know what stone is set in the jewelry. Use a cotton swab soaked in glycerin to wipe the stones, then polish with a soft cloth.
Why does silver darken?
According to statistics, silver jewelry darkens after six months of wear. If your chain has changed color before, this indicates poor quality of the product. After all, all factory chains are treated with a special solution (rhodium film). The main reasons for darkening of metal include:
- natural wear and tear of the protective rhodium film, after which the silver is exposed to “attacks” from the environment;
- severe sweating in the neck area, containing acids - they affect the color of silver;
- incorrect functioning of the kidneys or liver - there are more toxins in the body, which change the shade of the jewelry;
- the impact of sulfur-containing substances on jewelry - the chain can darken even when it is lying in the closet.
About 50% of the Russian population attaches magical significance to silver. In this light, the darkening of the chain speaks of the evil eye or damage caused by an ill-wisher.
How to properly clean gold or silver jewelry?
Products decorated in silver or gold are popular among women of all ages. Caring for these items does not involve any difficulties. If you do not rub the surface and use one of the following approaches, you will be able to preserve the appearance of your jewelry for a long time:
- If traditional soaking in a soap solution does not give the desired result, then you need to add a few drops of ammonia to the water and soap. There is no need to rub vigorously; the darkening should go away without problems.
- In addition, imitation gold can be treated with a soft sponge dipped in white wine vinegar. There is no need to soak the product, just rub it to the desired shine, rinse in clean water and leave to dry naturally.
- The more often preventive treatment of jewelry decorated with precious metals is carried out, the less often they will have to be subjected to intensive cleaning. You need to get into the habit of caring for your jewelry, even if it is temporarily not in use.
High-quality care of sparkling accessories is the key to their long-term service. If the manipulations do not give the desired result, then the item must be disposed of or isolated from other jewelry, otherwise the oxidation processes will spread to neighboring items.
Care Tips
In order to be as little as possible puzzled by the question of what means to clean jewelry belonging to the category of costume jewelry, you must follow simple rules for caring for such products, which are as follows:
- Before taking a bath, shower or applying cream to the face and neck area, it is better to remove jewelry to prevent its contact with water containing chlorine and cosmetics.
- To ensure that they do not lose their decorative appeal, it is not recommended to spray perfume on jewelry and prevent it from coming into contact with nail polish remover.
- After each wear, it is better to immediately check the jewelry for the presence of dirt on its surface and, if present, you should immediately take measures to clean the product.
- After cleaning jewelry using a wet method, it is necessary to thoroughly wipe it dry and not allow traces of moisture to remain on its surface, which can become hotbeds for the occurrence and spread of oxidative processes.
- If it is not possible to clean expensive jewelry on your own, it is better to take it to a jewelry workshop, where qualified specialists can easily handle this task.
Follow the rules
Stones in gold jewelry quickly become dirty. If you decide to do the cleaning yourself, follow the basic rules:
- An aqueous solution of ammonia 1:6 will help remove dirty deposits The method is suitable for cubic zirconia, citrine, zircon, ruby.
- Do not soak in aggressive solutions - if the stones are glued, they will fall off.
- Do not use ammonia or abrasive substances when cleaning soft stones: coral, pearls, turquoise, amber, hematite, etc.
- Do not clean gold with stones with sharp objects : a needle, a toothpick.
- Do not wash transparent stones (aquamarine, alexandrite, etc.) with soapy solutions - the shine and play of light disappear. They are cleaned with starch, microfiber, flannel.
- Maintain regular care - jewelry that is worn every day should be cleaned monthly.
Jewelry will become dirty less often if you follow the recommendations:
- Remove jewelry when coming home, taking a bath/shower, going to the beach, solarium, or any place exposed to sea water, UV and sweat.
- Protect from contact with perfumes and creams.
- Store away from ultraviolet radiation, moisture, on soft pads/velvet.
Expensive gold items with half-hidden stones, including diamonds, are best left to a specialist. The cleaning service is inexpensive and guarantees safety.
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Why do silver things turn black?
Silver is easily subject to oxidation; this feature is inherent in the metal. If the proportion of silver in the alloy is small, then the jewelry will turn black very quickly. This occurs as a result of a chemical reaction.
In addition, rings and chains, pendants and earrings made of silver turn black when exposed to moisture. Jewelry made from 925 standard is considered to be of the highest quality. They are less likely to tarnish and are more durable, so when purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the alloy.
In order for the jewelry to continue to delight the owner with its beauty, it is necessary to clean the metal on time.
Rules for storing jewelry
- Buy a special jewelry box for your jewelry. It cannot be stored in the bathroom, as high humidity has a bad effect on it. For stone products, purchase separate bags made of soft fabric.
- Do not put on or remove jewelry with dirty hands. If you have used a rich cream, wash your hands with soap to avoid leaving stains.
Before swimming in a pond or shower, jewelry must be removed. Prolonged contact with water negatively affects its appearance.
Costume jewelry requires special attention. If you want to maintain its appearance, take proper care of it. And then you won’t have to look for ways and means to clean it.
Perhaps you have your own opinions on the topic “How to clean a watch with rhinestones”? Write about it in the comments.
Plastic and glass jewelry
Plastic products can be easily cleaned with liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. The solution is prepared in a bowl or any other container. Decorations are also dropped here and left for a while. At the end, they should be rinsed under the tap and lightly wiped. Washing powder is also suitable for cleaning. The solution should not be very concentrated so that there are no white marks left on the products. To add shine, wipe glass items with a solution of ammonia, the recipe for which is described above.
Gems
Precious stones, like metal, can become dull and stained. To restore the original shine to diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, soak your jewelry in sparkling water overnight.
The metal alloys from which jewelry is made may contain particles of silver and copper. When in contact with air and sebum, they oxidize, and they develop an unsightly green or red coating. You can remove it with lemon essential oil.
Take a deep container and fill it 1/3 with water. Add a few drops of essential oil to the liquid. Place jewelry in it and leave for 5-10 minutes. After this, polish the metal with a soft toothbrush (preferably one that has already been used for its intended purpose many times) and a fleecy towel.
How to store
Along with the question of how to clean jewelry, the question of how to store it at home is always relevant. There are special cases and jewelry boxes that are advisable to use. They are equipped with hooks, compartments, and shelves that allow you to properly arrange items, preventing them from touching and damaging due to constant friction. Such cases are also good because you can easily find the thing you need in them without digging through a heap of earrings and chains.
Choose a dry, but not hot, place away from sunlight for storage. Jewelry must be removed at night, before visiting the sauna, shower, bath, or before going to the pool. It is advisable to touch its surface only with clean hands.
Cleaning items made from Swarovski rhinestones
When cleaning Swarovski jewelry, accessories or interior items, you need to remember two basic requirements:
- Some Swarovski crystals are glued very close to each other, which causes the space between them to become clogged with dust and the rhinestones to fade. Such areas should be washed regularly using lukewarm water. Then the jewelry is wiped dry with a soft cloth.
- The surface of products is often coated with gold or rhodium, that is, a platinum group metal, to protect against mechanical damage. This coating itself is very durable and has a bright natural shine. Accordingly, it is enough to clean it with a microfiber cloth or a dry piece of flannel cloth.
The main condition for cleaning is a ban on chemical cleaning products. Most often, Swarovski crystals are cleaned using a crystal soap solution and a special small soft brush.
Metal jewelry with gold plating
Gold-plated jewelry looks beautiful and expensive, but it is very important to care for it properly. Fill a small container with water at room temperature and lower the products into it. If the items are too dirty, dilute a little liquid soap or detergent in water. Finally, wipe them with a sponge or cloth. To restore the “golden” shine, wipe the jewelry with a cotton pad soaked in a solution of ammonia and water. For a liter of clean water you will need 2 small spoons of the product. If you have natural wine vinegar on hand, use it for wiping.