Cleaning Vintage Earrings

Cleaning vintage earrings is important - Because Jewels and Finery sells vintage earrings and other earrings that have been previously owned by someone else. This is our guide to how we clean them as hygienically as we can.

This guide can also be used to clean your own earrings - as all vintage jewellery will pick up dirt and will benefit from a little tender loving care once in a while.

Our methods of cleaning means that a piece of vintage jewellery will be cleaned several times before being catalogued for photographing and ready for sale.

• The very first thing we do is remove any old pads or pillows from clip on earrings and the backs from pierced earrings. Then we throw the old ones away. The only time we reuse backs/clutches is if they are of gold/silver/antique or are in a metal/style that is difficult to find a replacement. Once the jewellery is cleaned we replace the backs with new ones to match the metal and earring design. Or replace the cleaned original backs. We sell replacement backs/pillows and pads in earring accessories also.
• Identify what the earrings are made of. This will mean using a jeweller's lens/loop and we also use a magnified craft mirror when cleaning.
• Using an antiseptic disinfectant solution, we clean the reverse of all the earrings. Using a cloth or soft brush to get into all the crevices of the usually metal findings. If possible and if the material of the earring allows - we soak them in the solution for a short while. Dry afterwards with kitchen towel.
• Then each individual pair are cleaned according to the material it is made of.
• Note - For hygiene purposes some people remove the old hook findings or posts on earrings (for pierced ears). It does however reduce value. As this is a personal choice we leave this method to the new owner.

Then all earrings are cleaned again using the methods below:  

All metal

All metal earrings that are riveted together (not glued) are cleaned in our ultrasonic jewellery cleaner. Once dry - we will clean them using a brought specific cloth or polish according to material IE silver/gold or base metal using the cloth specific for that type. Then buff to shine.

Greening to a metal - the green colour can sometimes be seen on a piece of jewellery. This means that the metal has some deterioration. To remove use a vinegar solution and wash off afterwards and dry well (you may have to do this more than once). This has just removed the green colour - but it does still mean that the metal has deteriorated and will be in a state that it can break more easily. One permanent solution is to replace all metal parts - but we will leave that up to the new owner.

Rhinestones of glass

Using a small cotton bud and a "window cleaner" spray brought from a store (though you can use a solution of part water and white vinegar). Spray the bud and then blot onto kitchen paper until its just damp. Using the craft mirror we clean the rhinestones and all surrounding metal thoroughly. Then buff and dry with a dry cotton wool bud. Use a pair of tweezers to remove any cotton that may have got loose from the bud.

Rhinestones have foil backings. When this deteriorates, the stone becomes "yellow" or darkens. The yellow is the glue that has been used changing colour. The dark area is on unglued rhinestone and is the foil back deteriorating with the metal at the back showing through. Sometimes the "yellow" can be removed because its not behind the rhinestone but dirt (usually nicotine staining) But it is possible to restore the pieces by removing the rhinestones, cleaning and replacing them with new ones. This is something that is an art - finding the right size, shape, colour and era of the rhinestones to start can be difficult for some pieces. It will reduce value of the piece overall - but if it is to make an unwearable piece wearable then well worth doing. Its not impossible but difficult (as is replacing a single stone). So we leave this up to the new owner.   

Gemstones

Identify and clean as specific. Jewels and Finery uses a Gem-tester to correctly identify between glass and a gemstone.

Plastic types

Clean plastic beads and earrings made of any type of plastic. Use a soap solution and the cotton bud method. We usually clean all over and then dry the earring. However with celluloid pieces (they can be damaged with using water) we clean with a barely damp bud and dry straight away. Celluloid should also be stored not in a sealed plastic bag, but with air flow allowed.

With some plastics we apply a tiny amount of petroleum jelly to the final buff to give shine.

Wood

After cleaning the metal clip mechanism or findings with the antiseptic disinfectant. Use a solution of brought wood cleaner from a store. Again using the cotton bud method clean thoroughly. Most wood jewellery has a varnish or clear enamel coating but this can get worn away over time. After cleaning and drying we sometimes use a multi surface wipe (Can be brought from a supermarket) to add shine. However they are usually with a fragrance and can leave a residue. 

Paper Mache

Clean as for celluloid - as to not get water soaking into the earring if possible.

Leather

Use brought leather wipes to clean and then buff with a dry cloth.

Bone and shell including mother of pearl

If water is used it will eventually dry bone and shell out. We use a small amount of vegetable oil. It does not smell and can be used for cleaning bone and shell jewellery. Again using the cotton bud method, clean thoroughly. Leave the oil on for a short time to soak in as this benefits the bone/shell. We may do this several times until clean and the surface looks enriched. Buff dry with several cotton wool buds. then leave to air dry thoroughly before storage. Clean the metal part of a piece as all ready instructed above.

Our methods of cleaning applies to all our vintage jewellery An added bonus for the buyer is that if a piece is in a fragile state it will break whilst cleaning. Therefore we are not selling earrings that will possibly break at first wear. Using a magnified craft mirror also means that we can make sure prongs on prong set rhinestones are in place. We also tighten loose clip earring mechanisms.