Jewellery Care 101: Earrings
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Your Ultimate Guide to Caring for your Earrings
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Earrings are a popular form of jewellery that add a touch of elegance or a splash of colour. From simple studs to elaborate chandeliers, they cater to different tastes and occasions using a wide range of materials.
However, their frequent use can lead to a buildup of dirt and grime, which can detract from their beauty and even cause skin irritation. Over time, earrings can accumulate oils from the skin, dust, and other environmental pollutants. This buildup can be particularly pronounced for earrings that are worn daily or for extended periods. Additionally, if earrings are not properly stored or cleaned, they may attract more dirt and moisture, leading to tarnishing or discolouration. To help preserve their shine and prolong their lifespan, join us today as we learn about simple cleaning and storage techniques to keep earrings looking their best and ensure maximum comfort.
If you feel like you will need to see a professional jeweller for any jewellery maintenance, such as according to Tip 5 below, book an appointment here and browse some pieces of our collection at our office while you wait for us to finish cleaning your jewellery for you.
Also check out
Jewellery Care 101: Rings
Jewellery Care 101: Necklaces and Pendants
Jewellery Care 101: Bracelets and Bangles
1: Clean the Studs and Hooks...
Perhaps the most important and universal piece of advice I can give is to use alcohol wipes on the hooks, studs or metal that contacts your ear. You may see any jeweller using an alcohol wipe on the hook before letting you try on one of their earrings. That's because in doing so, we prevent as much bacteria, grime or dirt as we can from being in contact with your ear, which is what causes redness, soreness and swollenness.
No alcohol wipes? Not a problem. You can use a soft toothbrush dipped in warm water and soap and get brushing. Try to do this once a day to at least twice a week.
Make sure that whichever method you use to dry the earrings completely afterwards.
2: At Home Deep Cleaning
The next thing to do is to soak your pieces on a bowl of warm water and a very small amount of detergent (literally 1 or 2 small drops). Putting more than the recommended amount can damage the stones so this is very important.
Whatever you do, don't wash your pieces under running water over a sink. We have seen many customers lose their earrings into a drain only for them to not be seen again.
After a brief soak, use a soft toothbrush and brush the piece entirely, ensuring that your remove any grime or oil.
Once you're done with this, rinse the jewellery with another clean bowl of cold water and use a hairdryer to dry each piece ensuring that your remove all the condensation. Make sure though, that you use cold air, as some stones or pearls may be glued on to the piece, and hot air can cause them to fall off.
If you have bought a piece from us, and one of the stones has fallen off, feel free to contact us and we can see how to repair it together.
3: Polishing and Storing
Use a microfibre cloth. These can be found when you purchase a pair of glasses or sunglasses, or would usually come with the set of earrings that you have decided to purchase.
We recommend polishing your earrings at least once a week, especially if it is made of sterling silver. The precious metals can react with any oils from your skin and the air itself meaning that it is necessary to give a consistent polish to keep the piece shiny.
To store earrings properly after daily wear, there are a few must-do habits to keep in mind. Make sure that you separate each earring into a ziplock plastic bag, and if you have a jewellery box, place the plastic bags into it. This prevents the pieces from scratching each other and minimises chemical reaction with the atmosphere of your room.
4: Tips to keep Earrings Clean for longer
There are a few tips to keep your earrings cleaner and more refined for longer. Check the space below:
Take your earrings off when deep cleaning, showering or applying face lotion in the evening. This prevents the metals and the stones from being damaged by harsh chemicals.
Invest in proper storage equipment. Jewellery boxes were invented for a reason. These prevents damage, scratches or other reactions to the jewellery.
Clean little and often: By cleaning little and often, you would maximise the shine while minimising the amount of damage caused from at home deep cleaning.
5: When to call a Professional
These at-home remedies are not always going to be the perfect solution though, so it is important to call a professional when you really need help. At Dynasty Jewelry, we offer cleaning services for your jewellery. Just book an appointment with us and browse our collection while you wait for your jewellery to be cleaned.
You should call a professional when:
You feel uncomfortable cleaning a piece of jewellery yourself due to its
You have tried these at-home remedies and they do not work.
Your pieces have started to be slightly damaged from the cleaning process
You want some advice on how to clean a piece of your jewellery.
We hope you have enjoyed this article. Please do browse our collection or book an appointment with us if you are interested in our portfolio or a bespoke service.
