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, exercising, showering, or in the swimming pool. Additionally, exposure to household items such as lotions, soaps, perfumes, hairspray, and dirt can cause jewelry to wear down.
Most of Palmera Polo's jewelry is made from sterling silver, gold plated silver, or stainless steel--which are materials that are anti-tarnish if properly cared for. However, jewelry can still get grimy over repetitive wear, and the build-up of oils and dirt coated over your jewelry can dull the shine over time.
Follow these simple steps to take care of your jewelry:
Polish your jewelry regularly. For a quick clean, use a damp cloth to wipe down your jewelry pieces to remove grime. Afterwards, use a polishing cloth (microfiber cleaning cloth or any lint-free cloth) to wipe down the jewelry to restore its shine.
Clean your jewelry regularly. Use a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, or jewelry cleaner/jewelry cleaning solution to gently clean your jewelry. Brushing your jewelry gently while cleaning can be helpful to brush any grime or oil from fingerprints away. Dry your jewelry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth after cleaning.
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.
Store your jewelry pieces properly in a jewelry box. Jewelry cases are designed to specifically hold jewelry, and can be helpful in storing pieces such as necklaces to avoid tangling with their clasps when not in use. Keep your jewelry out of direct sunlight (e.g., in a hot car), as prolonged exposure to sunlight can dull the color from certain gemstones, and if it gets hot enough, metal can easily bend or warp. Your jewelry should also be stored in a dry place (e.g., not in the bathroom or near the shower), as humidity can also affect the shine or luster of your pieces.
Get your jewelry professionally cleaned. Consider bringing your jewelry to a professional jeweler will clean your jewelry for free or for a small fee.
Consider investing in an ultrasonic cleaner to further enhance your jewelry care. You can find a decent one on Amazon for around ~$30. Ultrasonic cleaning works 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.
*Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner for any jewelry containing opals or for any pearl jewelry, as these can be damaged by the ultrasonic pressure.
How to get rid of silver tarnish:
If your sterling silver jewelry has discolored or tarnished, get rid of tarnish in silver using some common household products.
Follow the steps below to remove tarnish from silver jewelry:
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.
*Avoid using baking soda with foil and silver cleaner on jewelry with gemstones, as these chemicals can reduce the luster and shine of certain stones.
Will my gold plating on my jewelry wear off?
A common question that we get on our gold-plated jewelry is whether the gold will ever chip off to expose the metal underneath. The answer is yes-- depending on everyday use, if not taken care of, the metal underneath can be exposed through wear and tear. However, with proper care as listed above, the gold plating on your jewelry should last for years to come.
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.