Vintage costume Jewelry Cleaning Tips

Vintage costume jewelry is delicate and should be cleaned with care. The following are helpful tips I have picked up over the years.

• Never submerse foil backed rhinestones or cabochons in water. You can use a soft makeup brush or toothbrush and spritz with Windex for shine.
• If the piece has all unfoiled stones you can dip it in a solution of warm water, 1 tsp. of liquid dish soap and 1 tsp. white vinegar.
• Only use an ultrasonic cleaner if you are trying to remove stones or cabs with old glue.

• Simichrome polish works wonders on Miriam Haskell glass pearls, only for pearls that are not peeling. Add a small amount to a soft cloth and polish the pearls.
• White vinegar will remove verdigris (the green gunk on metal), if possible soak the affected areas, if delicate stones are nearby, use on a q-tip.
• For heavy verdigris use a dental stimudent or cuticle stick to scrape away as much green as you can.

• A gold acrylic paint pen will flawlessly touch up gold tone metal wear, especially tiny metal spacer beads and bead caps.
• Do not store you costume jewelry in plastic bags which can promote moisture.