At Narrow-Gauge Designs, I create jewelry inspired by historical places that have endured hundreds of years. To ensure your pieces also stay beautiful for years to come, follow this simple guide for cleaning and caring for your jewelry.
General Jewelry Care Tips
- Store your jewelry in a dry place, away from moisture. A jewelry box with anti-tarnish material built in or anti tarnish strips is ideal. Although not very attractive, I have found that simple plastic bags help prevent tarnishing short term.
- Avoid exposing your jewelry to harsh chemical like perfumes, lotions, and cleaning products. In a recent discovery, thanks to a customer, we found that even a nightly Magnesium lotion can be harmful to your jewelry.
- Wipe jewelry with a soft cloth after wearing to remove body oils and dirt.
Cleaning Different Types of Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver naturally tarnishes over time, but regular care can keep it shining. To clean:
- Use a soft polishing cloth to remove tarnish. (I love Sunshine polishing cloths and prefer the blue as it is less abrasive for plated jewelry)
- For heavier tarnish, and after using a polishing cloth, mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush (or let sit for 5 minutes first for the heavily tarnished pieces).
- Rinse and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. I tend to use microfiber cloths as they absorb unwanted moisture and are gentle on the jewelry.
- Polishing compounds found at many general stores can be helpful for solid Silver pieces but should be avoided on jewelry that has any intricate designs (hint: your Narrow-Gauge designs) as the compound can become trapped and alter the look of your jewelry piece.
- Store in an airtight bag with anti-tarnish strips or place in a jewelry box to slow tarnishing.
- Silver dips and harsh cleaners are usually not needed and best to avoid.
Gold-Filled Jewelry
Gold-fill is durable but still needs care to maintain its luster. To clean:
- Mix mild dish soap with warm water and soak for a few minutes.
- Use a soft toothbrush (only used for your jewelry of course) or a cloth to gently clean.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth. As I mentioned above, I prefer a microfiber cloth.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners or rough cloths that can wear down the gold layer over time.
Brass & Copper Jewelry
Brass and Copper naturally develop a patina over time, giving them an antique look (which I absolutely LOVE). However, if you prefer a bright finish: To clean:
- As mentioned a few times above, a gentle polishing cloth (like a Sunshine polishing cloth) will work wonders here followed by a mild dish soap and microfiber cloth.
- I've heard that lemon juice and baking soda made into a paste works for heavy tarnish but I've not tried this one yet. Have you?
- Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, as it accelerates tarnishing.
Gemstone Beads
Many gemstones are delicate and can be damaged by chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners. To clean:
- Wipe beads with a damp, soft cloth.
- For a deeper cleaning, once again the mild dish soap and lukewarm water works very well ( I still used the soft toothbrush to clean of oils and dirt). Then dry with your microfiber cloth.
- Avoid soaking porous stones as water can damage them. Some porous stones include: Pearl, Opal, Emerald, Turquoise, Lapis, Amber, Coral, Agate, and Onyx. Water and harsh chemicals (sunscreen and perfumes, etc.) can cause these stones to lose their luster over time.
Final Tips
- Wear your jewelry often! The natural oils from your skin can help prevent tarnish on metals.
- Collect silica pads from your packages or parcels and reuse them in your jewelry boxes or bags to absorb unwanted moisture.
- If you love the aged patina look (like I do), let your Brass, Copper, or Silver develop character over time.
- When in doubt, clean gently - less is more when caring for handcrafted jewelry. You can also reach out to me if you have further questions.