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Gold and silver are commonly used material when it comes to making jewellery because they are ideal for smithing. Gold, for instance, is flexible and easily moulded – it also doesn’t tarnish. When properly cared for, gold can last forever; it doesn’t oxidize or corrode, and only a handful of substances can damage it.
Silver, on the other hand, is valued for its beautiful sheen as well as its availability. It’s used in a number of items besides jewellery, particularly because it conducts heat so well (which is one of the reasons why it’s used in batteries). Unlike gold, this precious metal does tarnish, and it’s not as good for metalworking.
That being said, despite even gold’s best qualities, both metals need to be cared for in order to maintain their condition and ultimately their value. This is why regular cleaning and proper care of your jewellery is important, and also why Muzeum wants to help you keep them in tip-top shape by offering free jewellery cleaning services!
Free cleaning and free evaluations are all a part of the Muzeum experience – we want to be a place that people can trust to offer them the best service and best advice around. Our store isn’t just about buying and selling gold, silver, coins, bullion, jewellery, memorabilia, etc., it’s also about creating a space for people to share their passions and learn all there is to know about the collector’s world!
When selling gold jewellery you’ll get the most money for your pieces when they’re in good condition. This is on top of the many other factors that go into determining a piece’s value, for instance:
But it’s not only about maintaining its value – you also want your pieces looking their best, especially if it’s something you treasure or if it’s a wedding or engagement ring that you wear every day. If a piece of jewellery can be resold – it has a much higher purchase value than something that will be refined and used for the scrap metal. Cleaning your jewellery helps bring back their shimmer and shine, and keeps them looking as good as the first day you bought them.
When you don’t clean your pieces, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause allergies, skin irritation, or discolouration and degradation of metals. Gunk can also cause harm to gemstones by scratching them or causing them to deteriorate.
So how often should you clean your jewellery? It depends on how often you wear them. Jewellery that gets worn daily should be getting a gentle scrubbing every two weeks, and then a more thorough clean at least once a month. Every six months is when you should take it to our store for a professional clean done by experts who really know what they’re doing!
It’s never advised to use hard chemicals when cleaning your pieces; in fact, they can end up doing more harm than good. Abrasive chemicals will erode metals as well as gemstones, and harsh scrubbing can also do just as much damage.
That’s why it’s important to be gentle when cleaning your precious pieces, and that you also stick to using a simple mix of dish soap and water. There’s lots of misinformation out there about cleaning jewellery – like for instance that toothpaste is an effective cleaner. This isn’t the case at all!
Toothpaste can leave gunk that gets stuck underneath the setting and other hard to reach places. These can become a pain to clean and the chemicals in the toothpaste (while fine for teeth) don’t actually work well on metals or gemstones. Go figure!
Instead, use a soft cotton cloth and a light mixture of soap and water to gently clean your jewellery. Be sure to rub away any areas with marks or tarnishes. It’s generally not recommended to soak jewellery or else you risk tarnishing or rusting on the metal (especially in the case of silver).
Use a small toothbrush for those hard-to-reach places like underneath a gemstone or in between the claws. Make sure you gently remove any debris and gunk that may be present. This is the only time you should be doing any mild scrubbing.
When it comes to pearls, note that they can degrade much quicker than other kinds of stones. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on them and make sure that they are regularly cleaned and maintained. A great option for a cleaning solution is a fresh make-up brush dipped in shampoo and water. Once you’re done, use a clean damp cloth to rinse them thoroughly.
In regards to drying, simply leave them on a towel to naturally dry. This way you’re not scrubbing or irritating the pieces more than they need to be.
A lot of people think that maintaining your jewellery stops at proper and regular cleaning, but this isn’t the case! You also need to make sure that you are properly storing your jewellery and avoiding putting your pieces in situations where they can be damaged.
When it comes to storage, use something like a jewellery box to make sure that your rings are held in place and not bumping into each other whenever you go looking for something or if you’re moving the box. If you have any loose gemstones, store them in a soft velvet bag so that they don’t get roughed up or chipped.
In regards to necklaces, always close the clasps, especially if you intend to store them in a box – that way you can prevent them from tangling and getting damaged. The best way to store necklaces, though, is to have them hanging – like on pegs that are mounted on a wall or dresser.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with unwanted jewellery then you should bring them to our store! We buy all sorts of gold and silver pieces, even ones that are broken or in scrapes. You can also sell your used watches at our store – our expert staff will be able to evaluate your items on site and let you know how much they are worth.
So the next time you are thinking of selling jewellery or watches, be sure to stop by – you won’t be disappointed!
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