How to clean jewelry

[LalaLyn]

Hey ladies I have a questions! I have a gemstone ring in a heart shape that I need to learn how to clean. I try to keep it clean but somehow i always get lotion stuck on it and it gets dirty. I keep taking it back to the jewelry store to clean it but i wonder if there is a method that i can use to clean it at home. Please let me know! Thanks!

[raeanna74]

What kind of gem is it?

A mild ammonia solution and a toothbrush usually works very nicely for even my costume jewelry. Don't leave it in the solution for long. Just half a minute max is usually enough. Too long and it'll eat away at some metals. Don't ask me which. Google "jewelry cleaning" and I'm sure you'll find many home mixes as well as commercial solutions. Vinigar works well too. Just use the toothbrush to clean in the grooves.

I usually take my rings off when I put lotion on because my wedding rings collect the creams in the grooves and get the backs of the stones dirty quickly. If my hands are too swollen to get my wedding bands off I'll put the cream on my palms and the back of my ringless hand and then rotate the wedding rings and put the lotion on the back of that hand while the stones are on the inside of that hand. It doesn't get as dirty as quickly that way.

[snowy]

I looked up the Hint from Heloise (I love Heloise):

This homemade jewelry cleaner is easy to make. First, it's very important to note what this mixture cannot be used on! Do not use it on jade, opal, pearl, turquoise, coral, malachite, amber, lapis lazuli or any other soft or porous stone. If you're unsure, please ask a jeweler for advice on the best cleaning method.

Now, let's get on with making this simple formula to clean gold and diamond jewelry:

1. Decide how much you want to make -- a little or a lot.

2. Mix equal parts of plain household ammonia and cool tap water. This recipe does not call for a "smidge of liquid soap," but if you use sudsing ammonia, it has some detergent in it for extra cleaning action.

3. Store in a container with a secure lid (a clean jar works well) and clearly label.

[onthedge]

you could soak it in those cleaning agents that you can buy an using a toothbrush gently you can brush over it to remove the deposits