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The Kitchen Table

Make your costume jewelry sparkle like new

15 years ago

Many years ago, I accidentally washed the earrings I had left in my pocket. When I picked them out of the bottom of the washing machine, I noticed how they sparkled like new.

Since that time, I will soak dulled costume jewelry in a little hot water with a few squirts of shampoo in the bathroom sink while I take my bath or shower. Swish it around a lot, rinse well, and dry thoroughly before putting it away. It will look as new as the day you bought it.

I think shampoo works best because it is so good at removing body oil, perfume oils, and hair spray. Just soaked and washed a dull necklace as I showered, and it is like new again.

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Comments (5)

mimi_boo
15 years ago
Great idea! Thanks.
jannie
15 years ago
I learned this from a jeweler: If you want to clean costume jewelry, put it in a container with water, a squirt of dishwashing liquid and a little household ammonia. Do not use on pearls, watches,etc.
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Oh Shermann! I'm swooning just thinking of it!!!!! The pt bookeeper at one of my first jobs out of HS was a retired elderly lady and she gave me all of her costume rhinestone jewelry becuase I was always going to Marine Corps Balls. Her granddaughters were never interested in it. Nearly 20 yrs. later I wore some of it for my wedding (in fact I was wearing a piece when I met then soon to be DH at a ball!). I love pave settings and found a fantastical pave necklace at a flea market for one ball. The guys booth was never open and Sunday after Sunday my mom would go w/ me to see if we could get the necklace. Nothing I have is collector worthy (or I just don't know it) but I love it. Years after after my grandmother died I commented to one of my female cousins on her gorgeous necklaces. I asked her where she got them and she said that they were our Nana's and she had gone through all of her jewelry when she died. Nobody had ever mentioned to me that they were going through her stuff. I was heartbroken! I spent alot of time living w/ my Nana when I was little and the only grandchild. Thanks for all of the links and I will def. check out Etsy!
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Comments (18)
Everyone, thanks for these useful ideas and insights. You guys are really creative. Pretty much every bit of my jewelry is costume; I only have one nice ring and it's already in the safety deposit box across town. So no theft worries. I'd be sad to lose my costume stuff, but none of it is irreplaceable. Les, your suggestions are just so spot-on re my style: would you please come out to visit and just redo my entire house while you're here? (Bring me some Frango Mints, too?) I hadn't even known those plain, mirrored jewelry cabinets existed. What a great idea. Anyone seen one with Art Nouveau or Lloyd Wright -style detailing? (: (well, a girl can dream...) Igloo, if I see any antique silverware boxes out here in the sticks, I'll emulate you. Love that idea too. You guys are great!
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Comments (1)
I've washed money and a cigarettee lighter by accident, never jewelry. I have plenty of costume jewelry, will give your tip a try. I once bought a jar of jewelry soak cleaner. It was a small plastic jar filled with water, ammonia and liquid detergent. Maybe a little color and fragrance for "effect".
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Comments (20)
I have a lot of jewelry---Kenneth Jay Lane, Joan Rivers, Kate Spade, Nadri and others. It is in the boxes. I bought two of the hangers with the pockets on each side for my closet. For each side of the hanger, I made a diagram in squares on a piece of paper showing the piece of jewelry in each pocket and I put the paper in one of the pockets. That helps me find things. I put my Honora pearl jewelry in mother of pearl embellished boxes on my dresser. The rest of my pearl jewelry is in a Chanel box because I associate Chanel with pearls. I have my silver jewelry in a jewelry box that is made for silver jewelry to reduce tarnishing. The rest of my jewelry is mostly in boxes in three drawers. I have a long clear plastic two layer tray with compartments in one of the drawers. I have A LOT of jewelry. I try to store it together by brand or type (for example, I keep all of the tortoise shell jewelry together) so that I can find things.
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jemdandy
15 years ago
I do faceting of gems and the standard cleaning solution I use is rubbing alcohol. Buy as high a proof as you can get (200 proof is 100% alcohol). The usual strength available at drug stores is 70% alcohol.

When your faceted gem becomes dull due to gunk on the back side of the stone (pavillion), clean the stone with rubbing alcohol. If there are no sensitive adhesives on the piece, the entire piece can be immersed. A q-tip is handy for getting into crevices on the backside of the setting.

A good cleaning can revive the brightness of the stone provided it is not scracthed and dulled. Much of the light return is a function of the pavillion; It behaves as a multifaced mirror. Light leak increases through this 'mirror' when it becomes dirty. The pavillion is as important, if not more so, than the crown for brilliance.
heatherinohio
15 years ago
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this tip! I have a pair of earrings that DH got me a few years ago that I absolutely LOVE. I have tried many different ways to clean them and NOTHING even came close to the results of the shampoo! They look great, and they are extra shiny! :)
sheilajoyce_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
You are welcome.

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