In this blog, we will talk about cleaning vintage earrings. Vintage earrings are earrings from days gone by and have already endured a lot, so it is important to maintain them properly so they can last for years again. Because over time, dirt can get on the earrings through daily use, skin grease and dust, for example. Only it is important to know how best to clean the earrings then without damaging them. Below, we will elaborate on cleaning and care so that the earrings can last for years and years to come.
The material of my vintage earrings
Before we will go into how best to clean vintage earrings, it is important to know what material the earrings are made of. For instance, the difference between gold and silver jewellery is already a first step you should pay attention to:
- Cleaning gold earrings: When cleaning gold jewellery, some caution is occasionally needed to maintain its shine and quality. Aggressive cleaning agents, for instance, are not good for your jewellery, as they can damage and discolour the gold, e.g. bleach or ammonia. We also advise against abrasive brushes or rough cloths, as these can cause scratches. Therefore, with gold earrings, always choose a mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft cloth to clean your gold jewellery safely and effectively
- Cleaning silver earrings: Silver jewellery requires a different approach than gold jewellery, but again, it is best not to use harsh detergents or abrasive brushes to avoid scratches. You can clean silver jewellery superficially with a silver polishing cloth, which will remove a lot of dirt and make your silver jewellery shine again. If silver jewellery contains gemstones, you can also very easily remove the dirt with a toothbrush, lukewarm water and some dryer. If all this would not work or you still find it a bit exciting, you can always take your jewellery to a jeweller in the area, they will know what to do.
- Gemstone earrings: As mentioned above, it is also important to know what kind of stones are used in your jewellery. This is because different gemstones need different treatments, as some can be damaged by heat, water or chemicals. For example, opals and turquoises cannot stand water, this makes them sensitive and can cause them to crack or break. Pearls are sensitive to chemicals as well as water, these are best wiped with a lint-free cloth. And sapphires and emeralds can break under tremendous heat or vibration due to their inclusions. There are so many more gemstones, if you are not sure how best to clean your gemstone, you can always give us a call or we recommend googling online.
What makes keeping vintage earrings clean so essential?
So whether you like colourful gemstones or simple designs without stones, vintage earrings get dirty over time when you wear them (regularly). Not only dust and skin grease, but also hairspray and perfume are culprits that cause dirt to build up on your vintage earrings. This can affect the beauty but dirt and bacteria also cause skin irritations. So apart from maintaining the beauty of your jewellery, it is also very hygienic to do a more thorough cleaning every 3 months.
Additional tips from Vintage Jewellery:
- Carefully inspect earrings first: Before you want to start cleaning your vintage earrings, we recommend taking a quick look at them for damage, such as loose stones or loose legs. If you notice this, it is advisable to stop by a jeweller or goldsmith to reattach or tighten them.
- Rinsing and drying : After cleaning the earrings with a mild soap on special chemicals, it is important to rinse them well with lukewarm water. Then dry them well with a soft lint-free cloth. Try not to use kitchen roll or other paper towels to avoid scratches.
To preserve the value of your vintage earrings, regular cleaning is highly recommended. However, it is important to consider the characteristics of your jewellery, such as the material and which gemstones are incorporated in it.When cleaning, only a certain caution is needed to avoid scratches and damage, this will allow your vintage earrings to last for generations to come.
