Help for Ruined Jewelry - YouLookFab Forum

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Help for Ruined Jewelry

Lynette

Hi Ladies,
All my life I have stored my jewelry in a jewelry box and never had a problem. At some point I decided it would be so much better to hang my necklaces on hooks in my closet so I could see them and would be more likely to use them. This also solved the problem of having them become a tangled mess in the jewelry box. I used one of those contraptions that you would hang belts on and for a while this seem to be a perfect solution! But all of a sudden every necklace that was sterling silver and even a few pieces of costume jewelry became terribly tarnished and completely black! I have discovered after much research that this was due to a reaction between the silver and whatever metal the hooks were made out of.

Does anyone know a secret to getting tarnish off of jewelry? I have tried many methods including dipping into various solutions, rubbing with special cloths, and using creams and polishes. I have had success on some of the plain pieces but not so much on the ones that have a lot of carving or crevices. ( I have ruined a few pieces, too.) Also, you cannot use these products on jewelry with stones or gems, which accounts for most of my necklaces. And of course those are the more valuable ones.

I am feeling really sad about this as most of my jewelry has sentimental value to me, not to mention the monetary value! Any hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Zibbets

The Cat

Veteran

Sorry to hear about this. I have no immediate solution, but will follow this thread with interest. I too decided to hang my necklaces a few months ago. Right now, I am on vacation, but when I get home, I'll check whether they have become tarnished.

Staysfit

Veteran

I use once saw a post about using catsup. It sounds odd, but it does remove tarnish. I’m not sure if it would harm stones, it is acidic because of the vinegar and the tomato.

Anonymous

I just wanted to express my sorrow over this happening. I own many pieces of sentimental jewelry. It would literally kill me to have this happen.

Best to you.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I hang my necklaces on plastic hooks to avoid this happening. I am also careful when I hang them that they don’t touch each other (because the same reaction can happen).
Have you thought about one of those sonic cleaners for jewellery? I believe that they are quite effective for costume jewellery. Not recommended for precious stones. I don’t have one but I have a suspicion that my DH is getting me one for Xmas.

Marilyn

Veteran

I use the silver polishing cloths but it sound like you are beyond this. If all else fails, and pieces have sentimental and monetary value, I would say take them to a jeweler.

I store many of my sterling silver pieces in little ziploc bags. They don't get oxidized without air. You can also get little anti-tarnish squares to put in with your silver jewelry.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Anti.....B009YKA106

Mainelady

Veteran

I agree with taking your sentimental and valuable pieces to a jeweler to see what they recommend. Wishing you much luck.

Anonymous

Toothpaste works but I agree, it's probably best to take them to a jeweler.

Runcarla

Veteran

Twinkle Silver polish is a product I use on my silverware, and plain silver jewelery. In a pinch I have used a dab of toothpaste to polish up a mixed metal ring with stones.

Anonymous

You can purchase an anti tarnish cloth online that jewelers use to keep silver tarnish free. Several versions can be found on Amazon. I bought one several years ago and it works great. It is gentle and doesn’t scratch the pieces.

Echo

Veteran

I would agree about seeing a jeweler because different cleaning methods can affect stones differently. Indeed, what is safe for sapphires would not be safe for opals or emeralds, so there is no one-size-fits-all cleaner. And I would caution against hanging necklaces in general. Pearls are often strung on silk, which can stretch from hanging, and gold that isn't 18K or higher can tarnish, as well. Hanging can also stress and sometimes warp a chain if the piece weighs enough. Overall, while it may seem convenient, hanging jewelry isn't worth the risk, IMO.

Thistle

Veteran

Have you tried the cloths for cleaning jewelry? I buy them in a red plastic container, and I've been surprised what they've been able to clean. From dirty costume jewelry to silver.

Might be worth a try at this point. You can buy them at Target.

3style

Veteran

I have a sonic jewelry cleaning machine. I mostly run it with water. Occasionally with a bit of washing liquid intended for removing residue from vegetables and very infrequently with an actual jewelry cleaning solution. I’ve been able to clean just about anything.

I’ve actually had the opposite problem from you, where I’ve been overzealous with items that are supposed to have some patina, and gotten them too clean. It’s also advertised as being good for eyeglasses cleaning, but you have to be extremely judicious with that or risk removal of the anti glare coating.

The only issues I’ve had is occasionally shaking loose a stone which wasn’t set as well as it could be. But I’d rather loose it in the machine than on the street. I don’t do anything super delicate like opals or pearls in there, but everything else is pretty much fair game. I especially like it for manicure tools, tweezers and stuff like that. Gets them really clean and beats replacing them frequently.

cindysmith

Veteran

Toothpaste. Its abrasive, so try and find a less abrasive version.

I've had silver that was tarnished look new again after wearing it in the shower, especially rings.

rizamei

I recently purchased these hanging anti-tarnish jewelry bags to organize my collections. I'm delighted with how visible everything is, and how neatly it tucks away in my closet.

https://www.containerstore.com.....keeper/12d?

The Cat

Veteran

Cindysmith, agree about wearing it in the shower. I usually take my rings off before taking a shower, but this morning I was in a hurry and kept my silver rings on. Now they look very shiny.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I worked in a mostly silver jewelry shop for years. We swore by windex for removing the standard oils and fingerprints and twinkle polish (thumbs up runcarla) - I don't know if that's one you've used. Use an old (or not used) toothbrush to get into crevices and a microfiber cloth to dry it very well after rinsing. You should be careful with anything that has a set stone.

Joy

Veteran

The shower and some shampoo work well for me.

Anonymous

I use the baking soda/aluminum foil/water method that came recommended by a certain line of silver jewellery I have many pieces of. Works like a charm. Google it

crst

I’ve used the approach Lisap suggested and it works wonders.

always trying

Veteran

sorry to hear this. If nothing else works, maybe the stones can be re set into other pieces. and at least you will have them.

Style Fan

Veteran

Well, now I know why my silver necklaces started tarnishing after years of looking pristine. I bought an armoire with a rack for hanging necklaces. I have now removed all my silver necklaces from the rack. Thankfully I didn't hang the gold ones.

I will try the method Lisa recommended.

JAileen

Veteran

I have several of the cloths which work very well. Some of my things look better with a little bit of tarnish in crevices to show texture. In my jewelry class I used a product to turn silver black. When I put the piece in the sonic cleaner, it cleaned it all off! I have some hammered silver earrings that look too “in your face” until they had a little bit of tarnish.

Lynette

Wow, thanks everyone! There are some great suggestions here that I had not thought of and will plan to try. Taking my nicest necklaces to the jeweler is probably the way to go. I will post an update and let you all know how it turns out. By the way, all of my gold necklaces were just fine and did not react with the metal hooks, thank goodness!!! And I will NOT be hanging jewelry on hooks again! Thanks to those of you who suggested better alternatives.

Zibbets

Veteran

I could be wrong, but I don't think tarnish is as much a reaction with the metal hooks as it is oxidation caused by contact with air. I hang a lot of my necklaces but silver ones stay in boxes with covers to prevent tarnish as much as possible. Some silver jewelry I keep in ziplock plastic bags to prevent contact with air as much as possible.

LisaP, I'm interested to hear that the foil method was recommended by a line of silver jewelry! I tried that once with flatware and the smell made me wonder if it was too harsh. It must be okay, and it's so quick and easy.