Vintage jewelry is a joy to collect but many pieces you might find have been neglected and are very dirty. Because they are old, you want to be careful when you take care of them.

The classic strand of pearls around the neck evokes images of Jackie O and other style icons. They always looked radiant, and so did their pearls. The reason is because they knew never to use solvents or anything harsh when cleaning your pearl jewelry. The oils from your skin normally build up on items like silver or diamonds, but on pearls they help keep them moist, something which is much needed to keep them looking their best.

Sterling silver is a wonderful metal that matches with almost every stone known to man. Due to its abundance and the fact that it is much cheaper than gold or other metals, it has become quite popular. Sterling silver is a very soft metal, meaning that it can easily get scratched and become dull. Therefore, you have to take extra precautions when cleaning your jewelry that is silver.

This could waterlog the stone and even stain it permanently. Instead, take a soft brush and use a mildly warm soap and water mixture on it, then immediately rinse dry with water and let it rest until dried.

These beautiful and timeless pieces of jewelry take a little more care than most but they are well worth it.

Keeping diamonds clean is easier than you think. Diamonds are the hardest substance on the earth. They don’t chip or scratch very easily, though you should still take excellent care of them in order to help them maintain their luster. Nothing is more embarrassing than someone wanting to admire your diamond ring and it barely sparkling because it hasn’t been cleaned.

This could waterlog the stone and even stain it permanently. Instead, take a soft brush and use a mildly warm soap and water mixture on it, then immediately rinse dry with water and let it rest until dried.

If a simple jewelry cloth won′t cut it, then try using a baby wipe or glass cleaner with a soft cloth. These are just the right amount of cleansers that should get the piece clean without stripping the metal or making it rust or turn on you.

Using even soap and water will strip the pearls of these oils, so don’t use it. Just use a dry, soft cloth to buff them a bit and you are done.

Use a soft cloth specifically designed for silver. If you must, use a cloth with warm soap and water mixture to clean first, then dry and polish.

Keep your diamonds clean by gently using a worn toothbrush or similar item with warm water and soap to remove grime and dirty that builds up in the settings, then using a soft cloth to polish the stone itself.