There’s nothing quite like the sparkle of freshly cleaned jewellery. Whether it’s a dainty silver bracelet, a crystal pendant, or a treasured gemstone ring, regular care can make all the difference in keeping your pieces looking radiant and well-loved. But cleaning jewellery doesn’t have to be costly or complicated—in fact, some of the best techniques use items you likely already have at home.
In this post, we’re sharing simple, effective, and gentle cleaning hacks for keeping your silver, crystal, and gemstone jewellery shining bright, while ensuring their long-term beauty and durability.
Why Regular Cleaning Matters
Everyday wear exposes your jewellery to all kinds of elements—natural oils from your skin, lotions, perfumes, dust, humidity, and even air pollution. Over time, these can cause:
Sterling silver to tarnish
Crystals to lose their sparkle
Gemstones to appear dull or cloudy
Regular cleaning not only revives the look of your jewellery but also helps prevent long-term build-up that could affect the finish, setting, or even structure of delicate pieces.
Cleaning Hacks for Sterling Silver Jewellery
Sterling silver is beautiful but prone to tarnish due to a reaction between the silver and sulphur in the air. Luckily, it’s easy to restore its original shine with a few gentle methods.
🧽 Baking Soda & Warm Water Paste
Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part warm water to form a paste.
Gently rub it onto the silver using a soft, lint-free cloth or your fingers.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
✨ Foil & Bicarbonate Soak
Line a bowl with aluminium foil (shiny side up).
Add hot water, 1 tbsp of bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt.
Place your silver jewellery in the bowl for 2–3 minutes.
Rinse and polish with a soft cloth.
Top Tip: Always avoid using toothpaste or abrasive materials, as these can scratch the silver surface.
Cleaning Tips for Crystal Jewellery
Crystals—whether natural or man-made—require a little extra care to keep them looking bright and refractive.
💦 Mild Soap & Water Method
Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a small drop of mild washing-up liquid.
Dip a soft toothbrush or cloth in the solution and gently clean the surface of the crystals.
Avoid scrubbing too hard near settings or glue.
Rinse carefully and blot dry with a clean microfibre cloth.
Avoid soaking crystal jewellery for long periods, as it can loosen adhesive or cause clouding if the piece is not fully sealed.
Caring for Gemstone Jewellery
Different gemstones have different levels of hardness and chemical sensitivity, so always treat them with extra care. That said, most can be safely cleaned using this gentle method:
🧼 Soft Cloth & Soapy Water
Combine lukewarm water with a tiny amount of mild liquid soap.
Use a soft cloth or brush to gently wipe around the stone and setting.
Avoid soaking porous stones like opals, pearls, or turquoise.
Pat dry with a clean cloth and let the jewellery air dry completely before storing.
Pro Tip: For jewellery with multiple types of stones, clean as though you're dealing with the most delicate one.
Jewellery Maintenance Do’s and Don’ts
To keep your jewellery cleaner for longer, here are some general care tips:
✅ Do:
Store jewellery in soft pouches or lined boxes to avoid scratches and tarnish.
Remove jewellery before applying lotions, perfumes, or hair products.
Wipe jewellery gently after each wear to remove oils and moisture.
❌ Don’t:
Use harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, or bleach (especially on delicate stones or glued settings).
Shower, swim, or sleep in your jewellery—especially pieces with crystals or pearls.
Keep silver jewellery in the open air—store it in airtight containers when not in use.
Keep Your Sparkle With Minimal Effort
A little bit of regular care can go a long way in preserving your jewellery’s beauty. Whether you're polishing a pair of sterling silver earrings or refreshing a gemstone pendant, these at-home cleaning hacks are simple, safe, and highly effective.
At Silver Sensations, we believe jewellery should be cherished, worn often, and enjoyed for years to come. With the right maintenance, your favourite pieces will continue to shine—looking just as beautiful today as the day you first wore them.