Jewellery Care

 

There are many ways of cleaning and looking after your copper and sterling silver jewellery; one of the quickest ways is to use some good old Coca-Cola. All you need is a bowl, a tin or bottle of Coca-Cola and a microfiber cloth, see the two videos below

 

Or you can use an ultrasonic cleaning tank with some ultrasonic cleaning solution. I use Carbusonic Oxide Remover Concentrated Cleaner Formula. You can purchase this on eBay and Amazon 

 

How do ultrasonic cleaning tanks work?
 
The vibration generated by the ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the cleaning liquid through the cleaning tank wall so that the micro-bubbles in the liquid in the tank can keep vibrating under the action of the sound wave, destroying and separating the dirt adsorption on the surface of the object.

 

Always remember to remove your copper jewellery before getting in the bath or using the shower and washing up. 

Copper tarnishes significantly faster when it gets wet. While dry copper reacts slowly with oxygen in the air over months, moisture acts as a catalyst that speeds up the oxidation process, causing noticeable tarnish or water spots to appear, sometimes within hours.

Does Fairy Liquid clean silver?

 

Yes, mild washing-up liquid like Fairy Liquid is excellent for cleaning silver as it's a gentle, non-abrasive way to remove dirt and tarnish, using warm water and a soft cloth or toothbrush for a safe, effective clean. 

It's a recommended household method for bringing back the shine to silver jewellery by lifting grease and grime. 

Instructions

  1. Create a solution: 
    Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with warm (not boiling) water in a bowl. 
     
  2. Soak: 
    Place your silver items in the solution and let them soak for 10-15 minutes. 
     
  3. Gently scrub: 
    Use a soft cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub away dirt, paying attention to crevices. 
     
  4. Rinse: 
    Rinse thoroughly under running water. 
     
  5. Dry & Polish: 
    Dry immediately with a clean, soft cloth, then polish with a silver polishing cloth for extra shine.