Just like any type of metal, jewelry can lose its shine or even become tarnished after repetitive wear. This is especially if you wear your jewelry everyday and never take it off-- wearing it while riding, showering, or in the pool.
Most of Palmera Polo's jewelry is made from sterling silver, gold plated silver, or stainless steel--which are materials that are tarnish-free if properly cared for. However, jewelry can still get grimy over repetitive wear, and those oils and dirt coated over your jewelry can dull the shine over time.
Follow these simple steps to ensure your jewelry is looking at its best:
1. Clean your jewelry regularly.
Use a small toothbrush and a solution of mild soap and water (liquid dish soap is fine), or jewelry cleaner to gently clean your jewelry. Dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. Brushing your jewelry gently while cleaning can especially be helpful to brush any grime or oil from fingerprints away.
2. Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals.
Harsh chemicals can include bleach, chlorine and ammonia, which can damage the metal and cause discoloration. Chlorine is especially harsh to silver. If your jewelry comes into contact with chlorinated water, rinse off your jewelry with fresh water after your swim to ensure the chlorine does not dry onto the metals or gems.
3. Store your jewelry properly.
Keep your jewelry in a jewelry box or small compartment to avoid scratching or tangling. Keep your jewelry out of direct sunlight (e.g., in a hot car) - prolonged exposure to sunlight can dull the color from certain gemstones, and if it gets hot enough, metal can easily bend or warp.
4. Polish your jewelry occasionally.
Using a polishing cloth, wipe down the jewelry to restore its shine.
4. Get your jewelry professionally cleaned.
Most jewelry stores will clean your jewelry for free or for a small fee.
5. Consider investing in a jewelry cleaner.
You can find a decent one on Amazon for around ~$30. These jewelry cleaners work by using a high frequency (ultrasonic) pressure wave and passing it through a solution. The pressure wave causes the solution to form bubbles on the surfaces of the jewelry, and the bubbles scrub the surface clean removing grime, grease and dirt. However, keep in mind that these cleaners will not remove tarnish. Removing tarnish requires scrubbing and polishing with a chemical compound.
6. If your silver jewelry has discolored or tarnished, get rid of tarnish in silver using some common household products.
Some methods to remove tarnish from silver jewelry include:
- Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a paste, and use a small toothbrush to gently scrub the tarnished areas of the jewelry. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly.
- Line a bowl with aluminum foil and add hot water and a tablespoon of baking soda. Place the tarnished silver jewelry in the bowl, making sure it touches the foil. Let it sit for a few minutes, then remove the jewelry, rinse with water, and dry thoroughly.
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste (opt for simple white paste, no gel) to a soft cloth and gently rub the tarnished areas of the jewelry. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly.
- Use a silver polish specifically designed for jewelry, and follow the instructions. Rinse the jewelry with water after polishing and dry thoroughly.
For any gold-plated jewelry, a common question that we get is whether the gold will ever wear off to expose the metal underneath. The answer is yes-- however, the wearing-off process often takes many years after repetitive, everyday wear. The shine of your gold-plated jewelry should last for years to come, with proper care.
For old jewelry that has had their gold plating wear off, the gold re-plating process is simple and budget-friendly. Most jewelry repair stores can quickly and easily re-plate the gold for a small fee.
