How to clean a necklace?

Cleaning a gold necklace

Gold is a relatively hard-wearing precious metal, but it can tarnish over time on contact with cosmetics, perspiration and pollution. Regular cleaning restores its full lustre. Here is the method our jewellers recommend:

Cleaning a silver necklace

Silver is a metal that is sensitive to oxidation: on contact with air and humidity, it tarnishes and takes on a greyish or blackish hue. This phenomenon, known as sulphurisation, is natural and reversible. Here is how to bring back the shine to your silver pieces:

• Special silver cream: creams and impregnated cloths formulated specifically for silver are the most effective and the safest. Apply with a soft cloth, rub in circular motions, then rinse. These products are available in any jeweller's.
• Bicarbonate method: mix bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply on the necklace with a soft cloth, rub gently, then rinse thoroughly. Effective for light to moderate tarnishing.
• Aluminium foil method: for very tarnished pieces, line a bowl with aluminium foil, add hot water and bicarbonate. The chemical reaction transfers the sulphur from the silver to the aluminium. Spectacular results in just a few minutes.

After cleaning, always dry carefully and store in an airtight or anti-tarnish pouch to slow future oxidation.

Caring for a necklace with precious stones

Precious stones each have their own characteristics, and some are very sensitive to water, heat or chemicals. It is essential to know the nature of your stone before cleaning your jewellery:

• Diamond: the hardest stone of all. It can be cleaned like gold, with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Professional ultrasonic baths are also suitable for diamonds without inclusions.
• Emerald: a fragile, porous stone, often oiled to mask inclusions. Strictly avoid hot water, ultrasonic baths and any chemical product. A simple damp cloth is enough for gentle cleaning.
• Pearls: extremely sensitive. Never use water, ultrasonic baths or chemicals. A soft, slightly damp cloth is all you need. Store them separately to prevent scratches.
• Ruby and sapphire: robust stones that tolerate warm water and a soft brush. Even so, avoid sudden temperature changes and abrasive products.
• Opal: a stone very sensitive to dehydration. Avoid prolonged baths. Clean only with a soft, slightly damp cloth.

Storage and wearing tips

The best way to preserve the brilliance of your necklaces is to protect them when storing and to adopt good wearing habits. These simple steps significantly extend the life of your pieces:

• Individual storage: store each necklace separately in a velvet or soft fabric pouch. Pieces that touch each other can scratch each other, even precious metals.
• Avoid humidity: never store your jewellery in the bathroom. Humidity speeds up the tarnishing of silver and can dull rhodium-plated white gold.
• Perfumes and cosmetics: apply your perfumes, creams and hairsprays before putting on your jewellery, never after. The chemicals they contain attack metals and stones.
• Swimming pool and sea: always remove your necklaces before swimming in the pool or the sea. Chlorine and salt are extremely aggressive to precious metals and stones.
• Sport and shower: remove your jewellery before showering, bathing and any sporting activity. Perspiration, knocks and heat gradually degrade your pieces.
• Professional servicing: entrust your gold jewellery to a professional jeweller every 2 years for cleaning and a check of the settings. This prevents stone losses and extends the life of your pieces.