How to Clean Costume Jewelry

Unlike some items made of precious materials, such as real gold, costume jewelry can tarnish . But that doesn't mean it should be thrown away! There are several reasons why these pieces tarnish or change color.

The most common problem with costume jewelry is that over time, the metal is exposed to elements in the air that cause it to oxidize . The result: a dull or discolored complexion. But don't panic! This is an easy problem to solve. Let's take a look at how to clean costume jewelry.

Why does jewelry oxidize?

If they get wet (in the shower, pool, jacuzzi, while washing dishes, etc.), this can leave dark stains that are difficult to remove . Rust may appear as a result of prolonged contact with water or in a humid environment.

If cleaning products come into contact with the jewelry, the finish can flake off due to harsh chemicals. Perfume and hairspray can alter the color for the same reason. Therefore, it's best to keep your costume jewelry away from you during a makeup session.

Can you clean oxidized costume jewelry?

It is entirely possible to clean costume jewelry effectively . However, cleaning them generally requires delicate action and mild products.

Keep in mind that costume jewelry is naturally more fragile than jewelry made of precious materials such as gold or diamonds. Diamonds are meant to last forever, while a pearl necklace in gold-plated metal is often only a few years.

There's no definitive rule about how often you should clean costume jewelry. Generally, the more you wear a piece of jewelry, the faster it's likely to wear out, and therefore the more care you need to take.

How to clean a rusty piece of jewelry?

How do you clean costume jewelry that's turned black due to rust? Whether it's earrings, a flashy necklace, or a beaded bracelet, discover the best methods to remove tarnish and rust and give new life to your favorite pieces!

1. Lemon juice

Mix one part water and one part lemon juice in a bowl to create a bath for your jewelry. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes . The magic element of this grandmother's trick is the acidity of the lemon juice.

However, if you find that the lemon juice hasn't removed all the dirt, give your jewelry a quick rinse and place it back in the mixture for a few more minutes. Once the jewelry has regained its shine, rinse it again with cold water and dry it with a clean cloth .

2. Clean your costume jewelry with baking soda

Get a plate or platter and a sheet of aluminum foil, shiny side up. Place all your dark costume jewelry on the foil. In a cup of hot water, mix one tablespoon of salt with one tablespoon of baking soda.

Pour everything into the dish. The mixture will create a chemical reaction with the aluminum foil and create bubbles while cleaning the jewelry. Rinse with cold water and dry with a clean cloth.

3. Toothpaste and an old toothbrush or cotton swab

Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto your tarnished jewelry and dab it with your finger . Once the jewelry is coated with a thin layer of toothpaste, clean it with the toothbrush, working into the crevices.

This is a great option because the slightly grainy texture of the toothpaste helps remove even the toughest dirt. Rinse with cold water and dry with a clean cloth.

4. Baby shampoo

Regular jewelry cleaners, usually intended for authentic jewelry, are too harsh for use on costume jewelry. Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to clean particularly stubborn areas. Then rinse your jewelry with water and dry it with a clean, soft towel or microfiber cloth.

Use a hair dryer on the cool setting to ensure each piece is completely dry. This will prevent rust. If you use a hotter setting, the jewelry may warp or the glue holding the pieces in place may melt.

Whichever solution you use, remember to rinse your jewelry thoroughly with clean water to ensure there is no residue or lingering vinegar odor.

5. Use soft tools to scrub

To clean your jewelry, it is recommended to use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush to remove dirt. After cleaning, it is important to dry each piece thoroughly by patting it with paper towels .

Another easy-to-use tool is a cotton swab, which can also be useful for removing dirt between stones and other elements of the jewelry.

How do you know if a piece of jewelry will rust?

It is the chemical composition of a piece of jewelry that determines whether it is susceptible to rusting or not. If you are wondering how to prevent costume jewelry from rusting, you should therefore look into its composition.

Contrary to popular belief, costume jewelry can contain precious metals . The most commonly used metals for making costume jewelry are:

• Brass
• Stainless steel
• Silver or gold metal
• 925 silver
• Gold plating
• Zamak

Costume jewelry can be gold or silver plated (a thin layer of real metal over brass or nickel), with faux diamonds or stones and pearls. Real gold or silver jewelry will not rust .

However, the most common material used in fashion jewelry is metal. It is therefore important to distinguish between classic metal and stainless steel . Unfortunately, it is difficult to differentiate them at first glance...

However, there are certain methods that can be used to differentiate between classic metal and stainless metal:

• A visual check

You can tell that the piece of jewelry you are holding or interested in is made of stainless steel if it has a specific number or code. The stainless steel code is often in the form of a coding system called AES or ASTM . It is a 4-digit code that guides you on the type of stainless steel you have.

• The color

From what you can see, stainless steel appears as a very shiny, silvery metal with silvery fractures.

• The magnetic test

Stainless steel is magnetic (but not always). Therefore, one of the most obvious tests to verify the authenticity of stainless steel involves magnets.

To do this test, place a magnet on the piece of jewelry you want to test. If the magnet adheres firmly to the metal, chances are you're dealing with stainless steel.

If it doesn't stick or there is only a weak magnetic attraction between the piece under test and the magnet, it means you are dealing with another metal like aluminum or silver .

Therefore, if your jewelry is made of good quality stainless steel, it should be non-magnetic or partially magnetic.

Although this test is a good indication, we recommend that you supplement it with other methods to determine whether a piece of jewelry is genuine stainless steel or not.

• The weight of the jewel

Since some stainless steel jewelry is actually made of aluminum, you may want to check its weight. The specific gravity of stainless steel is 7.5, compared to 2.7 for aluminum . Therefore, stainless steel is much heavier than aluminum.

Stainless steel jewelry is heavier than alloy jewelry and lighter than precious metal jewelry. If you have several types of jewelry, you will distinguish them by their weight.

Recommended reading: Our opinion on zinc alloy jewelry .

• Determine the real from the fake in your jewelry box

Not sure if your gold is real or fake? It's simple: real gold never tarnishes, while fake gold—or gold-plated metal—does. If your jewelry needs cleaning, it's not real gold. If you're still unsure, take it to a jewelry store for help identifying its exact composition.

How to keep costume jewelry clean?

To extend the time between cleanings, it is important to care for your costume jewelry just as you would precious metal jewelry.

This will even avoid asking yourself the question of how to clean costume jewelry! You must start by storing them properly in their little home, in your jewelry box .

For extra protection, feel free to wrap them in a soft cloth before storing them. You can go even further by storing them in anti-tarnish bags for extra protection.

Also be careful to avoid contact between your jewelry and cosmetic products . It is best to spray perfume or apply lotion before putting on your jewelry.

By following this order, you'll limit the amount of substance that can be deposited on your jewelry. The same goes for perspiration: get into the habit of removing your jewelry before a workout!

It is important not to use acidic products such as vinegar or baking soda.

Since costume jewelry is very fragile, using an aggressive product or one containing a lot of acid could damage it instead of restoring its new appearance.

If you have copper necklaces or bracelets, be sure to check out our article on how to clean copper jewelry .

What jewelry doesn't rust?

Many metals can be used to make stainless steel jewelry. These metals are gaining popularity in the jewelry world. Some of the most common include:

• Platinum

It is a precious metal known for its silvery white hue . Although platinum is widely used in jewelry today, it was already one of the most popular jewelry metals in the early 20th century.

Platinum is now commonly used in wedding bands and engagement rings, among other types of jewelry.

Platinum does not react with water or oxygen in the air, and does not lose its shine. It does not tarnish, oxidize, or discolor.

• Stainless steel

It is undoubtedly one of the most used materials in the world of jewelry and watchmaking.

However, it is not a pure metal, but an alloy of steel and metal composed of at least 10% chromium . Although there are different grades of stainless steel, 316 stainless steel is the type used in jewelry making. It is silvery white and has a mirror finish.

Like platinum, stainless steel does not tarnish and retains its silvery, shimmering finish forever. Because of its natural shine, stainless steel is easy to clean. It is also durable, scratch-resistant, and corrosion-resistant .

• Titanium

Another metal that is rapidly gaining popularity in the jewelry world is titanium. Titanium is the hardest natural metal in the world , but also the lightest material used in jewelry.

This pure element is also very durable, and it is one of the best materials for wedding rings.

Titanium has a beautiful silvery white color , but its main drawback is that it is not scratch resistant.

• Palladium

Belonging to the same group of metals as platinum, palladium is known for its bright white color , as well as its strength and purity.

It's also one of the affordable metals that makes excellent jewelry. Palladium is composed of 95% palladium and 5% ruthenium, but it doesn't require plating.

• Ceramics

Due to its unique character, it is an ideal material for jewelry making. Ceramic is lightweight, ultra-versatile and heat resistant .

It is not only durable but also scratch resistant . Ceramic jewelry is affordable and can come in many colors.

• Cobalt

This material is made from a highly resistant alloy. Durable and lightweight, cobalt is one of the best metals for jewelry making. It is also hypoallergenic , making it suitable for sensitive skin. Besides the fact that it does not tarnish, it closely resembles white gold.

Whether it's to re-gild a piece of costume jewelry or give it back its proper shine, it's entirely possible to give a new lease of life to our favorite pieces of jewelry!

However, the best thing to do is not have to worry about how to clean costume jewelry. A few simple tips and good habits will help you keep your little gems in perfect condition.