Green Your Routine: Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean and Maintain Your Jewellery

Taking care of our jewellery in an eco-friendly way is essential not only for preserving the longevity of our treasured pieces, but also for protecting our precious, natural world. Dirt, pollution and tarnish can all eventually dull the sparkle of a gemstone and affect the surface of our rare metals, so it’s important to give our fine jewellery some extra care and attention, every now and then.

The good news is that shifting towards more regular, sustainable cleaning practices is simple and low cost, which means we can reduce our impact on the environment - all while saving ourselves the expense and health risks of chemical cleaning products. 

A core part of our philosophy at Alice Stewart Jewellery  is treading more lightly upon the planet. All my nature-inspired jewellery is hand crafted in the UK with ethically sourced, high quality materials designed to stand the test of time, creating magical heirloom pieces that can be enjoyed for generations. 

By investing time and effort, we can enjoy wearing our favourite pieces for years to come. In this blog post, we’ll explore various, simple eco-friendly cleaning methods and gentle cleaning solutions that can help us maintain our beautiful jewellery - without harming the planet.

DIY Cleaning Solutions For Your Jewellery

Looking after our jewellery doesn't have to be a chore - in fact, it can be a calming and rewarding ritual. 

By using simple ingredients that most of us already have at home - such as vinegar, mild dish soap and baking soda, we can create our own DIY cleaning solutions that are gentle on our precious pieces, yet work wonders on reducing tarnish.

When we opt for natural ingredients in our jewellery cleaning routine, we're not only avoiding harsh chemicals, but also harnessing the power of nature to bring back that beautiful sparkle.

From delicate gemstones to various precious metals, there's a natural cleaning solution for every piece. So let’s explore a few of our favourite homemade cleaning solutions and lean into the therapeutic benefits of taking care of our treasures in a calm and natural way.

CLEANING GOLD JEWELLERY:

Pour a small amount of white spirit such as plain vodka or white rum into a small dish.

Soak the jewellery in the solution for 30 minutes.

Gently scrub with a soft bristled toothbrush brush and rinse with warm water.

Dry well with a soft cotton cloth or old cotton t-shirt material.

CLEANING SILVER JEWELLERY:

Create a smooth paste with baking soda and vinegar.

Apply the paste onto the jewellery and gently rub in circular motions.

Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.

CLEANING GEMSTONE JEWELLERY:

Mix a small amount of natural dish soap with warm water.

Soak the jewellery for 20 minutes then gently scrub with a soft bristled tooth brush.

Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft clean cloth.

*Remember to always exercise caution when cleaning jewellery with DIY solutions, especially with delicate or valuable pieces. If in doubt, consult a professional jeweller for advice.

Choose Non-Toxic Cleaning Tools To Clean Jewellery

Using toxic chemicals in jewellery cleaning can be harmful to our health, or aggravate sensitive skin or allergies. Additionally, these chemicals can cause damage to the environment when they are washed down the drain and enter our waterways, harming aquatic life and polluting the ecosystem.

Instead of using toxic chemicals, there are several non-toxic cleaning tools that can effectively clean and polish our jewellery. These include microfiber cloths, soft bristle brushes, and polishing cloths. 

Natural soft cotton cloths are gentle on delicate jewellery and can effectively remove dirt and grime without the need for harsh chemicals. 

Soft bristle brushes such as an old toothbrush can help to remove stubborn dirt from hard to reach areas like under gemstones.

Polishing cloths can help to restore the shine to your jewellery.

Using these non-toxic cleaning tools not only helps to protect our health and the environment, but it also helps to protect our jewellery. Harsh chemicals can damage metal and gemstones, causing them to lose their lustre and value over time. Non-toxic tools are gentle and help to preserve its beauty and longevity.

Tips for Jewellery Storage and Maintenance

Careful storage and maintenance of jewellery is also essential to prolong its lifespan and keep it looking as beautiful and polished as the day we bought it. Here are a few tips on how to take care of our jewellery when we are not wearing it:

Store jewellery in a clean, dry place: Moisture and humidity can cause jewellery to tarnish or lose its shine. Keep pieces in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight or heat.

Use separate compartments or pouches: To prevent jewellery from scratching or tangling, store each piece in its own compartment or pouch. This will also help to maintain the original shape and design.

Use eco-friendly materials for storage: Opt for environmentally friendly options like cotton pouches which will help to protect jewellery from scratches and damage. These can then be stored inside a jewellery box to keep them safely in one place.

Choose Sustainable Jewellery

When it comes to selecting new jewellery we can look out for certifications like Fairtrade Gold, and responsibly sourced traceable stones. We can also choose new pieces made with recycled metals, and repurposed vintage or secondhand gemstones as a sustainable option.

At Alice Stewart Jewellery these are the principles around what an ethically sourced piece of jewellery means: there has been careful consideration around the impact the sourcing of the materials has had on the people mining and sourcing the materials and the environment. 

It means that new gemstones, diamonds, and metals used in your piece have been sourced and mined under fair and safe working conditions as well as contribute to supporting local infrastructure in the communities and have had a minimal impact on the environment.

From the precious metals and stones that are chosen for each collection, to the recyclable packaging, each piece of jewellery made by Alice Stewart Jewellery incorporates ethically sourced, high-quality materials designed to last. 

We hope these tips inspire you to incorporate eco-friendly practices into your jewellery cleaning routine. Making these small changes in our jewellery care habits can help protect our beautiful pieces for many years to come.