How to clean and care for costume jewelry?

How to remove oxidation from costume jewelry?

Over time, costume jewelry tends to oxidize. Nothing serious, this phenomenon is completely normal. All it takes is a little care and a good cleaning to make your most beautiful costume jewelry last.

There are many ways to clean your costume jewelry. But in the first instance, prevention is better than cure! Before going to the extreme, a simple daily routine is essential:

• Remove your costume jewelry before applying cosmetics to your skin, using household products or playing sports. Sweat, skin acidity, heat, perfume and make-up can alter their color and radiance. If you use creams or perfume, wait until they have dried before wearing your costume jewelry.
• Avoid contact with water as much as possible, whether you're washing your hands, showering or bathing.
• Proper storage is absolutely essential for the longevity of your jewelry. Separate them and place them carefully in boxes or cases... to avoid rubbing or tangling, and keep them in a dry, temperate place. Keep them out of damp places like the bathroom.

Next, recognize the materials: do you know what your jewelry is made of? Silver, gemstone, brass, gold-plated, stainless steel, mother-of-pearl... Depending on their composition, they can be cleaned differently. Be careful when treating costume jewelry adorned with natural stones, as some are porous.

How to clean blackened costume jewelry?

1 - A damp microfiber cloth

This is the gentlest and safest way to restore shine and sparkle to your most delicate costume jewelry. Gently rub your costume jewelry with a soft chamois-type cloth to remove black spots and traces of dirt.
Very effective on jewelry with mother-of-pearl, gemstones, natural pearls and/or crystals, which don't like overly aggressive chemical solutions and don't appreciate contact with water.
Remember to do this regularly on all your jewelry to remove dust - it can't do them any harm!

2 - Soapy water

Fill a container with lukewarm water and add a few drops of Marseille soap. Soak your jewelry for a few minutes in the soapy water solution. Then gently scrub hard-to-reach areas with a soft-bristled toothbrush (you can also use a toothpick or cotton bud). Finally, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
You'll be delighted with the results on gold filled, mother-of-pearl, stainless steel or silverjewelry. This method is equally effective on resin, micro-macramé and glass beads or synthetic pearls.

3 - Baking soda

Using bicarbonate of soda can be formidably effective against black marks without damaging your costume jewelry. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply it to your jewelry and rub gently with a soft cloth. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.
Use on jewelry made from silver or stainless steel.

4 - White vinegar or lemon juice

Soak for 15 minutes in a container of lemon juice diluted in water, or for 2 hours in a reasonable quantity of white vinegar. Rinse thoroughly with clear water, then wipe dry with a soft cloth.
This method is ideal for shining silver jewelry without rubbing.

5 - Toothpaste

Gently scrub your jewelry with a soft-bristled toothbrush (or soft cloth) and a dab of toothpaste. Don't forget to rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft cloth!
It's a real miracle on silver jewelry, gold filled jewelry and stainless steel jewelry.