Jewellery Cleaning 101: How to Clean Your Jewellery At Home - Tips from a British Jeweller

At John Garland Taylor Jewellery, we get asked one question more than any other: “How do I clean my jewellery?” After over 35 years of experience working with 925 sterling silver and 9ct gold, our expert jewellers, John and David, have the answer, and it's easier than you think! 

Our jewellery is more than just an accessory; it holds sentimental value and represents those special moments in life. Whether you own one of our gold bangles, a silver ring or a heart necklace, we want you to enjoy your jewellery for years to come.

So let David and John share the secrets to maintaining the brilliance of your favourite jewellery items;

Understanding Jewellery Care Basics: Key Tips for Longevity

• Store Jewellery Properly: Keep your silver and gold jewellery, in a clean and dry place, preferably inside individual jewellery boxes to prevent scratching and tarnishing. 
• Avoid Exposure to Harsh Elements: Always remove your jewellery before engaging in activities that may expose it to chemicals, harsh conditions, or potential damage, such as showering, applying sunscreen, or cleaning.
• Apply Cosmetics First: Apply cosmetics, perfumes, and hairsprays before wearing your jewellery to minimise contact with harsh chemicals and preserve its shine. 
• Remove Before Physical Activity: Take off your jewellery before swimming or engaging in sports and strenuous activities to avoid physical damage or exposure to chlorine.

Cleaning Gold and Silver Jewellery: Simple Solutions for Shiny Pieces

Gold and silver jewellery can lose its shine over time due to exposure to dirt, oils, sweat, and environmental factors. Fortunately, maintaining its brilliance is easier than it sounds!

• For silver jewellery, we recommend using a Silver Polishing Cloth. This time-tested product removes imperfections and is infused with anti-tarnish agents that give your pieces a long-lasting shine. Whether you need to restore your stacking bangle, chunky silver ring, or a silver pendant necklace, the cloth is reusable and designed to provide consistent results. 
• For all gold jewellery we have a Gold Polishing Cloth which is specially designed to safely clean and maintain the shine of gold bangles, gold rings, and gold pendants. Unlike the silver polishing cloth, which focuses on removing tarnish from sterling silver, the gold polishing cloth is formulated to gently buff and polish your gold pieces, helping to maintain their radiant, golden shine without causing damage to the metal.

Professional Polishing: The Best Way to Restore Your Favourite Pieces

• For jewellery that has been heavily tarnished or features an intricate design, we recommend professional cleaning. At John Garland Taylor, we offer complimentary cleaning and re-polishing services for all of our pieces, ensuring that your jewellery is restored to its original beauty.
• Our skilled team will bring your sterling silver rings, gold earrings, and other precious pieces back to life, so they continue to shine bright, just like the first time you wore them - just pop in store or contact us for more details. 

Have Questions? Get in Touch with Us! We love hearing from our customers. If you have any other jewellery care questions or want more tips on maintaining your pieces, feel free to send us a message.