How to Clean Vintage Jewelry Rock Crystals With Tarnish

Heirloom jewelry must be cared for correctly.

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Vintage costume jewelry is usually made from inexpensive materials, such as gold plating, rhinestones and mirrored foil. These items look fantastic when they are new, but they do show age more than fine jewelry, so caring for them correctly will ensure that any cleaning you need to do will be infrequent and small. If your pieces have already begun to tarnish, they may require a few additional pick-me-ups.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately ChallengingInstructions Things You'll NeedSoft clothCotton swabsRubbing alcoholToothpicksWindow cleanerLint-free paper towelsSuggest Edits1

Rub over the surface of the piece of jewelry with a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth used for cleaning eyeglasses. The cloth will remove most smudges and some of the residual oils on the jewelry pieces. Do not polish hard enough to bend any metal structures on the piece.

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Dip an end of a cotton swab into the rubbing alcohol and pat the swab onto a paper towel to remove most of the alcohol from the swab. Moisture is costume jewelry's enemy, as it can degrade the foil backing and cause tarnishing. Therefore, the cleaning process must be as dry as possible. Use the cotton swab to remove any remaining oils or hand creams, and use it to reach any dirt lurking between the stones. For this sort of cleaning, alcohol is ideal, as it dries rapidly and leaves no residue.

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Pull a bit of cotton from one end of the cotton swab and twirl it around the tip of a toothpick to create a miniature cotton swab. Use it dampened slightly with alcohol for cleaning in tight crevices in the jewelry.

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Give the stones a bit of extra sparkle by spraying a paper towel once with glass cleaner. Remove the excess moisture by folding and unfolding the paper towel, then run it lightly over the piece's surface. This should remove any remaining outer tarnish, leaving the stones sparkly.

Tips & Warnings

If the foil backing on your jewelry's rhinestones has turned black, take the afflicted pieces to a costume jewelry specialist to have the foil replaced. Unfortunately, this portion cannot be accomplished at home.

If any of the stones fall out, do not replace them with hot glue or super glue. These substances will leave the gems cloudy. Instead, invest in Gem Tac or Mirror Glue, which will provide the stones with a shine comparable to their original finish.

Apply all perfumes and hairsprays before wearing your vintage jewelry again. Such liquids contain chemicals that degrade the foil of rhinestones, making it turn black and, eventually, tarnish the stones.

Store your vintage jewelry individually in soft, breathable pouches. This will prevent the jewels from becoming coated in dust, which can destroy the luster of the stones. Additionally, it will prevent the pieces from scratching each other, keeping the stones in good condition.

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Related SearchesReferencesVintage Costume Jewels: How to Clean Rhinestone JewelryVintage Jewelry Lane: How to Clean and Care for Vintage and Antique JewelryThe Clothing Dictionary: How to Care For and Clean Rhinestone JewelryGems for Good: How to Clean Your Vintage Rhinestone JewelryPhoto Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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