Silver help..please?

Question

Ok i have a pair of really old silver earrings with huge diamonds in.
They are really dirty and so are the butterfly backs.
Really really dirty and I would love someone to tell me how to clean them please.
I know toothpaste cleans silver but these are too small to scrub or rub.
I was thinking more on the lines of a homemade silver cleaner where i can soak them for a while.
Thanks xx

Answer 1

silver is hard to clean.... try a little bit of dishsoap in warm water - it works for my rings, although they are white gold..... But, since its just soap and water, it can't hurt.

Answer 2

Advice from a Goldsmith - "The best way, although a bit time consuming, is with a rouge cloth (also called polishing cloth or silver cloth). Your jewelry will stay brighter for a longer period of time(oxidize more slowly) than when using a ''dip''. (If you do use a dip make sure that it specifically states that it is 'safe for gems') When you use the cloth, you can't reach the deep crevices. Most people who know jewelry would say that this accentuates all of the dimensions and fine detail of a piece of jewelry. Silver oxidizes, that is it's natural state, use that to add to the beauty rather than expect some bright, forever/falsely shiny piece.

DO NOT use baking soda or any type of tooth paste on any jewellery. Not only does it cause very fine surface scratches it is nearly impossible to remove without professional help from all but flat surfaces and will not do justice to your stones either.

For gems use gems cleaners like Hagerty Delicate Jewel Clean, because it is specifically made for cleaning delicate and porous gemstones, including cultured pearls. This does not clean sterling silver or gold, it is a jewel cleaner only, but it will not harm your sterling silver or other precious metal."

Jewellers advice - "Diamonds and stone-set gold jewellery can be easily cleaned using household ammonia (approx £1.50 from your local chemist, diluted 1 part ammonia to 5 parts water) heated for 30 seconds in a normal microwave using a (1/2 pint pub glass or stoneware mug approx 1/4 full)
an old toothbrush is useful to remove debris that collects behind gemstones"

Answer 3

bring em to a jeweler. maybe they can tell you something about the earrings and they will definitely put them in an ultrasonic cleaner for 10 minutes for a small charge, like 5-10 bucks

Answer 4

Dip them in the curd whey for atleast an hour or so & then wash with soap .They will sparkle.

Now, to make curd whey, boil a cup of milk, when it starts boiling, add juice of a lime and then it starts curdling. Then, sieve it and use the cooled watery portion to soak the ornaments.

Answer 5

Go to the jewlry store and buy a jar of silver cleaner to soak them in. it helped my little ones.

Answer 6

hi there you could try this, make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda.brush it onto your earings with a toothbrush or small brush and allow it to dry. then brush it off and polish it off with a clean soft cloth or wash under warm water then dry with a soft cloth.
good luck xx

Answer 7

not 100%sure but i hear ed coke is a good jewel cleaner i think you do a glass of fizz coke and place the jewellery in there and something in the coke cleans them up but please dont quote me on that

Answer 8

Don't laugh but you have to pour pee on it (fresh urine) and let it soak then spray windex on it and it will break apart with a gentle rub with a towel.

Answer 9

Soak them in vinegar with bleach. let them sit for a few min. It worked for me

Answer 10

You can use toothpaste. Works like a charm!