Clean fake (costume) jewelry that has turned black by gently cleaning with mild dish soap and water or using a baking soda paste. For stubborn tarnish, line a bowl with aluminum foil (shiny side up), add 1 tbsp each of salt and baking soda, pour in hot water, and soak pieces for 1–2 minutes, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
Lay all of your darkened costume jewelry on the foil. Mix one tablespoon salt and one tablespoon of baking soda and mix with one cup warm water. Pour into the dish. The mixture will create a chemical reaction with the foil and bubble as it cleans the jewelry.
Toothpaste is less problematic when it comes to cleaning jewelry. Just apply the toothpaste to a brush, and rub it on the piece of jewelry. This method can be used on different forms of fake jewelry, such as bracelets.
The answer includes a long list of common household items that can do more harm than good. Avoid using bleach, ammonia, toothpaste, baking soda, vinegar, and abrasive materials like scouring pads—these can scratch metals, wear down finishes, and discolor gems.
Dawn dish soap is safe and effective at cleaning jewelry. Just add a few drops to a warm basin of water and let your jewelry soak for 15-30 minutes. Then remove it from the basin and gently brush with a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush to get grime out of the grooves. Finally, rinse and dry.
Take a half a cup of white vinegar and mix it with two tablespoons of baking soda in a shallow bowl. After mixing the solution so that the baking soda is dissolved well, you can place your jewelry in the bowl and leave it there for 2 to 3 hours. When your jewels are nice and clean, rinse them and dry with a cloth.
The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with the silver, leading to oxidation. This process forms a layer of silver sulfide on the surface, which appears as a dark or black tarnish. While this might sound alarming, tarnishing is a natural occurrence for real silver and is actually a sign that your jewelry is genuine.
You should not clean delicate surfaces like electronics, glass (mirrors, screens, cooktops), wood, aluminum, marble/natural stone, painted surfaces, or gold/silver-plated items with baking soda, as its mild abrasiveness can cause scratches, dullness, or damage finishes and patinas. It's best used for tougher grime where its abrasive quality helps, but avoided on anything requiring a delicate touch or specific sealant.
If your jewellery is made of sterling silver (925/1000) and does not have a protective surface treatment such as rhodium plating, platinum plating, or another finish, it will naturally react with its environment. This process is commonly referred to as tarnishing, and it can make silver gradually darken or turn black.
Soak your tarnished silver in a baking dish lined with aluminum foil with a solution of baking soda, salt, white vinegar, and boiling water. After letting the silverware sit for five minutes, simply buff each one with a microfiber cloth.
Apply a bit of toothpaste to a microfiber cloth. Rub the silver until the tarnish is removed. Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
If you'd like to disinfect your jewelry, you can use regular household isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as long as the jewelry is solid gold or platinum and is only set with diamond, ruby, or sapphire. Take care with any other kind of stones and use a gentler form of cleaning.
Counterfeit gold may, however, exhibit discoloration, turning green or black due to a chemical reaction with the lighter flame. Residue: Real gold won't leave any residue behind after the lighter test.
4 Things You Should Never Use To Clean Jewelry
Using white vinegar is another alternative method for keeping your fashion jewelry clean. It may be considered as an 'old wives tale' but it really does work! Add your jewels to a shallow bowl of white vinegar and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Swish the pieces around occasionally, making sure all the metal is coated.
Combining Baking Soda and Vinegar
Let it sit for about five minutes. The reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will help break down stubborn tarnish. After soaking, rinse your jewelry thoroughly under warm running water. As a final step, use a soft cloth to dry and buff your jewelry to bring back its sparkle.
Baking soda and vinegar are effective for various household cleaning tasks. The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar creates carbon dioxide gas, which helps dislodge dirt and grime, making it easier to clean surfaces and unclog drains.
The best way to clean tarnished silver jewelry at home is by using what we call the Medium Wash method: In a shallow bowl, mix ½ cup white vinegar, or witch hazel, with 3 drops of lemon essential oil. Gently place your jewelry in the bowl. Let the silver soak for five minutes.
Don't use Windex, vinegar, baking soda, or peroxide.
You may have heard that it is okay to use Windex if you're trying to clean your jewelry at home, but it's a no-no. The ammonia in Windex can damage precious metals over time. Vinegar is too acidic and can damage jewelry, too.