Anti-tarnish jewellery needs very little cleaning. Most of the time, a wipe is enough. When it does need more, gentle beats strong every time. Here is the simple way to do it at home.
What you need
- A soft cloth (a spectacle cloth or an old cotton T-shirt works)
- A small bowl of lukewarm water
- One drop of mild soap or baby shampoo
- A dry towel
That is all. No special dips, no powders.
How to clean it in 4 steps
- Wipe first. Gently rub the piece with the dry cloth to remove sweat, dust and fingerprints. Often, you can stop here.
- Clean only if needed. If the piece looks dull or sticky, dip a corner of the cloth in the soapy water and squeeze it nearly dry. Wipe the piece gently. Don't soak it.
- Wipe off the soap. Wipe again with a cloth dampened in plain water.
- Dry it completely. Pat it dry with the towel, then leave it on the towel for a few minutes. Make sure the chain links and the stone settings are dry before you put it away.
For pieces with stones, go slowly around the settings and don't pull at the stones.
What never to use
- Toothpaste. It is slightly gritty and scratches the finish.
- Baking soda, lemon or vinegar. Popular home tips for silver, but too harsh for a gold-tone finish.
- Silver dips and metal polish. Made for other metals. They can strip the colour.
- Hot water or long soaks. They wear the finish and can loosen stones.
- Tissues or rough cloths. They leave scratches and fibres.
Store it dry
Most damage happens in storage, not while you wear it.
- Keep each piece in a small pouch or a closed box.
- Keep it out of the bathroom. Steam and humidity speed up tarnish.
- Lay chains flat or hang them so they don't tangle.
- In humid weather, a silica gel sachet in the box helps.
The rule that matters most
Perfume first, jewellery last. Put on perfume, lotion and hair spray, let them dry, then put on your jewellery. At night, take it off before you wash your face. Take it off before a long bath or a swim.
If you are new to anti-tarnish jewellery, our post on what anti-tarnish means explains the finish itself.
Shop pieces made for every day
All NuNu jewellery has an anti-tarnish finish in gold tone. Look through our earrings, bracelets or all jewellery. Delivery is free across India and takes 3–7 days.
Questions
How often should I clean anti-tarnish jewellery?
A dry wipe after each wear is plenty. Do the soap clean only when a piece looks dull, maybe once a month.
Can I use a jewellery cleaning liquid?
Most are made for gold, silver or diamonds and can be too strong. A soft cloth and mild soap are safer.
My piece has a dark spot. Can I fix it?
Try the gentle clean above. If the spot stays, the finish has probably worn through there. Rubbing harder will make it worse.