Make your jewellery sparkle

Spruce up your silver and dust off your diamonds with Michelle Nightingale’s simple cleaning tips using kitchen cupboard staples

Gemstones

A very mild diluted soap solution should be enough to restore the sparkle of most precious and semi-precious stones – from rubies to diamonds. Simply dip the item in the mix, then use a soft cloth or soft toothbrush to gently clean your jewel and its setting. Then dip again, before gently drying with a soft cloth.

Gold

Mix a mild soap solution using a few drops of washing-up liquid and warm water. Soak your gold jewellery for 5-10 minutes, before gently scrubbing with a soft toothbrush to dislodge any trapped dirt. It’s important to only use a soft toothbrush to clean your jewels, as silver, gold or platinum can all be easily scratched by even a medium toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly, then dry carefully with a soft cloth.

SILVER

Forget fancy jewellery cleaners, baking soda is great for cleaning tarnished silver. Simply mix three parts baking soda, to one part water until it forms a paste. Using a soft cloth rub the paste into the silver. Rinse with warm water and then dry and buff until shiny. You can use the same method with regular white toothpaste, too.

Pearls

The outer coating that gives pearls that shiny lustre is easily scratched. To clean, add a drop of a very mild soap into a bowl of warm water and use a soft cloth to gently clean each pearl. Try not to submerge them and be sure to dry them gently, but thoroughly afterwards. Pearls are also easily damaged by ingredients found in beauty products and perfumes, so only put them on once these have dried on your skin.