Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Cory Schifter and by How.com.vn staff writer, Savannah Vold. Cory Schifter is a Jeweler, Certified Jewelry Appraiser, and the Owner of Casale Jewelers in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York. Casale Jewelers is known for its selection of fine jewelry, designer brands, engagement rings, certified diamonds, custom-made jewelry, and watches. Cory has over 10 years in the jewelry industry and is a certified jewelry appraiser. Cory was featured on NY1 News “Got it Made in New York” for Casale Jewelers’ custom design business and Casale Jewelers was recognized by American Express and Facebook in 2012 as one of the top five small businesses in the nation.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 23,630 times.
You go to reach for your favorite Alex and Ani bracelet, and as you slip it on your wrist, you notice it’s starting to tarnish. The horror! Luckily, cleaning your jewelry couldn’t be easier, so you’ll be back to accessorizing and expressing yourself in no time. In this article, we’ll teach you how to clean your Alex and Ani bracelets effectively and provide jewelry-cleaning alternatives and maintenance tips to ensure your jewelry stays looking as good as the day you got it!
Steps
Using a Polishing Cloth
Download Article
Rub your bracelet with a polishing cloth. Pick up your bracelet of choice and rub it back and forth across your polishing cloth. As you rub your bracelet, you’ll begin to see brown to black grime build up on your polishing cloth. Rub your cloth around the bracelet until you see little to no residue come off on the cloth.[1]- The Alex and Ani website recommends using their signature polishing cloth made from 100% cotton flannel to clean their pieces effectively.
- Polishing cloths are multi-use, so you’ll be able to clean all the jewelry you’ve collected that’s looking a little worse for wear.
Buff-dry your bracelet with a microfiber cloth. Most polishing cloths are pre-treated with a cleaning solution that can leave a light, powdery residue on your jewelry after use. Wipe off your bracelet using a microfiber or soft cloth to remove this powder.[2]- Make sure your cloth is soft to the touch and has no abrasive elements. An overly abrasive cloth can leave small scratches on your jewelry.
Liquid Jewelry Cleaners
Download Article
Use a jewelry cleansing foam on delicate jewelry. Jewelry cleaning foams are an excellent alternative to polishing cloths and pads because they’re safe for use on all types of jewelry. Simply apply a pump of foam to your piece and wait 30-60 seconds. After the allotted time has passed, rinse your piece in lukewarm water, pat dry with a soft cloth, and you’re good to go![3]
Try using a toothbrush and mild soap to clean your jewelry. Mix a few drops of soap into a bowl of water. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in the mixture and gently scrub your jewelry with it, making sure to get in all the nooks and crannies. Rinse the piece under lukewarm water, then pat it dry with a cloth. [4]- Jewelry with elements like rafaelian (eco-conscious matte silver or gold) might need the extra wash even after using a polishing cloth. Plus, a toothbrush makes it easy to get between cracks and crevices. No more nasty build-up in hard-to-reach places!
Soak your jewelry in vinegar for 15 minutes. Good old vinegar can be an effective cleansing agent for cleaning metals like silver and copper. Pour vinegar into a bowl and let your jewelry sit in the solution for around 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove your piece and rinse it off with lukewarm water before patting it dry.- Vinegar is too abrasive for use on jewelry with materials like pearls, tortoiseshell, amber, ivory, or jet.
Use an ultrasonic jewelry bath for jewelry with hard-to-clean details. These baths utilize a liquid cleaning agent, ultra-sonic pulsations, and sometimes heat to lift the grime right out of your jewelry. Place your jewelry in the ultrasonic bath, turn the device on, and let it do its magic until the timer goes off. Remove your piece from the bath and pat dry with a soft cloth.[5]- Ultrasonic baths are not safe for use on delicate jewelry containing pearls, tortoiseshell, amber, ivory, or jet.[6]
Expert Q&A
- QuestionWhat type of fabric prevents tarnish?
Cory SchifterCory Schifter is a Jeweler, Certified Jewelry Appraiser, and the Owner of Casale Jewelers in Dongan Hills, Staten Island, New York. Casale Jewelers is known for its selection of fine jewelry, designer brands, engagement rings, certified diamonds, custom-made jewelry, and watches. Cory has over 10 years in the jewelry industry and is a certified jewelry appraiser. Cory was featured on NY1 News “Got it Made in New York” for Casale Jewelers’ custom design business and Casale Jewelers was recognized by American Express and Facebook in 2012 as one of the top five small businesses in the nation.
Jeweler & Certified Jewelry AppraiserLook for silver cleaning cloths online, as they take off a lot of the dirt and the tarnish (especially with older silver jewelry). You can use them with a silver cleaning solution; or, you can call your jeweler and see if they can clean your jewelry professionally.
Tips
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about making jewelry, check out our in-depth interview with Cory Schifter.
References
- ↑ https://www.alexandani.com/blogs/the-wire/how-to-clean-alex-and-ani-jewelry
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion/how-to-clean-jewelry
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion/how-to-clean-jewelry
- ↑ https://www.alexandani.com/blogs/the-wire/how-to-clean-alex-and-ani-jewelry
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion/how-to-clean-jewelry
- ↑ https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/gems-ultrasonic-cleaners/
- ↑ https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/843/oxidized-surface-steel
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/fashion/how-to-clean-jewelry
- ↑ https://www.kstonehillcreations.com/gemstone-education-and-guidance
About This Article
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
