How to clean artificial jewellery is something every woman should know — because just like you, your favourite pieces deserve a little refreshment too. Jewels don’t just add that extra sparkle to your look; they become your everyday companions. Whether it’s a beautiful bracelet you wear on repeat or diamond studs that never leave your ears, proper care and cleaning can help your artificial jewellery shine brighter and last much longer.

So, what is the process to maintain costume jewellery that can help you extend the life of these pieces, preserve their shine, and keep your skin happy when you wear them? In this blog post, we shall help you understand how to clean imitation jewellery to keep that sparkle alive. 

Why Jewellery Care Matters (Even For Costume Pieces)

Here’s a hard truth: You give too much attention to your valuable gold, silver, and diamond pieces. This neglect causes the artificial jewellery in your wardrobe to lose its shine and become unwearable over time. 

You can prevent tarnish by following some basic jewellery care tips. Simple, quick, and effective, these guidelines will allow you to wear the imitation jewels for a longer time across multiple occasions. 

Cleaning Basics: Materials You’ll Need and What to Avoid

A good rule of thumb before you decide to clean imitation jewellery is to gather all the materials that you will need to bring back that shine. Sit back and relax because we did the homework. Below, find everything that you will need and can avoid for this process.

• Materials You’ll Need:

1. Makeup brush or a soft-bristled toothbrush. 
2. A mild dish soap.
3. Microfiber cloth.
4. Cotton swabs.
5. Lukewarm water.
6. Airtight containers or ziplock bags.
7. Baking soda (for silver jewellery).

• Things to Avoid:

1. Vinegar or lemon juice.
2. Toothpaste.
3. Harsh chemicals such as ammonia.

How to Clean Gold-Plated and Imitation Jewellery Safely

Cleaning jewellery can be a tedious process. But we’re here to help. Wondering how to clean artificial jewellery and gold-plated pieces in your collection? Ahead, we have put together a step-by-step guide to taking care of your precious jewels.

1. First, mix a drop of the mild dish soap with lukewarm water.
2. Dip a toothbrush or a soft microfibre cloth into this water. Clean the jewellery with this and use a cotton swab for crevices. 
3. Dry the pieces with a clean microfibre cloth.

Taking Care of Silver and Oxidised Pieces (Preventing Tarnish)

The allure of silver and oxidised jewels is great, but it tarnishes over time. Both require different measures to prevent tarnish that can help retain the shine. Here’s how you can take care of your silver and oxidised jewellery.

• Silver Jewellery:

1. Begin by mixing baking soda with water to form a paste.
2. Gently apply this mixture to your jewellery with a microfiber cloth.
3. Rub across the surface to clean and prevent tarnish.
4. At the end, make sure to rinse and dry the piece.

• Oxidised Jewellery: 

1. Wipe your jewellery with a soft and dry cloth.
2. Don’t use abrasive or harsh chemicals to clean the pieces.
3. Prevent contact with water to minimise tarnishing. 

Storage Solutions: Keeping Your Jewellery Tangle-Free and Moisture-Free

Exposure to sweat, air, moisture and humidity can cause your jewellery to lose its shine, become tarnished, and also get tangled. Here are some smart storage tips to avoid this:

1. Hang your necklaces to avoid tangling.
2. Use silica gel packets in drawers and boxes to prevent moisture.
3. It is ideal to store each piece separately in a pouch or ziplock bag.
4. Make use of anti-tarnish strips in jewellery boxes.
5. Quick Fixes: Handling Green Skin or Allergies From Fashion Jewellery

Jewellery made with nickel or copper can often react with the oils in your skin to cause itchiness or a green tint. To prevent this, apply a coat of clear nail polish to the part of the jewel that is reacting with your skin. Wear it back once the nail paint has dried. This is a quick hack to avoid skin reactions.