Selling your jewelry can be a challenge. You want to get the highest sale price, especially because you know how much you originally paid. Even if you’ve taken good care of your jewelry, some pieces can dull with age. Exposure to perfumes, lotions, dust, dirt, and even moisture in the air can damage your jewelry over time.
While you can easily get your jewelry cleaned by a nearby jeweler, you typically need to pay. As you’re trying to get the most return on your sale, paying a small fee only takes away from your profit. Thankfully, there are a few ways to clean your jewelry at home and save the money of paying professional jeweler. Let’s discuss.
At-Home Solutions to Clean Your Jewelry Before a Sale
If your bling has lost its shine, here are some easy ways to restore the luster and give your jewlery a clean look. The results are amazing and you’ll get a better deal when it’s time to sell.
1. Dish Detergent
Believe it or not, a few drops of mild dish soap often does the trick. Place a few drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of hot water. Mix it up and soak your jewelry in the bowl for about 15 minutes. When you take the jewelry out of the soapy water, place it on a dry cloth. Take an old toothbrush and gently rub the jewelry clean. Make sure you don’t soak your jewelry in hot water for longer than recommended because it can cause damage.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda works is a great option for heavy tarnish. Mix one part baking soda with three parts water in a bowl. Apply the paste to your jewelry with a soft cloth and let it sit for 5 minutes. With the same cloth, gently wipe off the paste. The tarnish will come along with it. Finally, wash your jewelry with clean, cold water and then buff it dry.
3. Anti-Bacterial Cleaner
A multipurpose antibacterial cleaner also works as well as any expensive jewelry cleaner. Pour some multipurpose antibacterial cleaner into a glass bowl. Add your jewelry and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. Remove the jewelry and wash it under cold water. Dry the jewelry thoroughlywith a soft satin cloth, before putting it away.
4. Ammonia
If dish detergent and baking soda do not work, then you can try ammonia to get rid of heavy tarnish. Take half a cup of clear ammonia and mix it with one cup of lukewarm water. Stir the mixture well until it dissolves. Lay your jewelry pieces in the ammonia mixture and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Remove the pieces and wash them thoroughly with cold water. Dry with a soft cloth.
5. Aluminum Foil
Another effective method of cleaning your jewelry is using aluminum foil. This process uses science to create an ionic change that removes tarnish. Stains are removed, and the jewelry is restored to its pure form. To use this method, mix one tablespoon of salt with one cup of hot water in a bowl. Cut four strips of aluminum foil and place them at the bottom of the bowl. Soak your jewelry in the mixture for five minutes. Remove the pieces. Wash them with cold water and dry them with a soft satin cloth before putting them away.
If you’re looking for a place to sell your jewelry at the most competitive prices, our Loma Linda pawn shop is the place to go. Contact us to get a quote for your items.