With no doubt, every woman out there owns and wears fake jewelry. Who said that flaunting cheap jewelry is shameful? Most people prefer mixing up fake jewelry with classy costumes today. It not only looks stunning and graceful but also doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket. Come on, you can easily find a substitute for that silver necklace that you cannot afford. Also, you can go for fake jewelry when you just need to try out new trendy jewelry but are not sure whether you are going to love it or not.
On one hand, when pure jewelry such as silver and gold doesn’t tarnish, fake jewelry easily starts to discolor as well as oxidize with time. Yes, it is sad that fake jewelry is easily ruined after some wear. You will eventually see that the thin silver or gold plating on your favorite fake ring as well as the necklace is wearing off quickly. In addition to this, one can easily see the nickel or brass underneath, tarnishing occurs and even discoloration.
Also, we all have had rings, which turned our skin green or silver jewelry which looks like a penny after some wear. Major bummer & super annoying, right? Luckily, we have got you covered! Do you know that you can clean off tarnish as well as fake cheap jewelry and turn it into brand new jewelry? Before getting into the DIY recipe, let’s know why your fake jewelry tarnishes and discolor!!
Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion on metals. This corrosion is caused due to the reaction to air, moisture, or chemical compounds. And this appears as a dark discoloration to the jewelry. Every type of jewelry that is not 100 percent pure gold or 100 percent pure silver will tarnish. All fine jewelry that is composed of 9k, 14k, 18k gold, or sterling silver will tarnish, no matter how much care is given to them. Do you also have cheap jewelry that is black or has been darkened? NO, don’t throw it away! Keep reading!!!
How to Clean Fake Jewelry and Clean Off Tarnish? [DIY Method]
- An aluminum plate or aluminum foil
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Water
- Access to a microwave
- A tidy rag
Now that you have collected all the needed items, let’s get started!!
Step 1
If your cheap jewelry has any gemstones, then you need to be a little careful- don’t get that portion too wet. This is because the water can melt the glue underneath the gemstone, leading it to fall off. Be careful!
Step 2
Get a deep aluminum bowl or plate, something like a pie plate. In case, if you do not have one, then you can also use a normal bowl or plate and wrap it with aluminum foil. Also, if you go with the latter, ensure that the aluminum foil does not tear off.
Step 3
Now, pour 1 tablespoon of baking soda and salt on the plate. Mix it well.
Step 4
Then, heat water (1 cup) in a microwave. Do not boil it, just a little hot. Hence, heat it for less than 2 minutes. Now, pour this hot water into the baking soda & salt mixture you made earlier.
Step 5
Now, stir the jewelry cleaning mixture thoroughly so that the ingredients fuse and vanish all the clumps. Then, wait for 1 minute and let the mixture dissolve.
Step 6
Put your jewelry in the mixture. This will let the baking soda, salt as well as water mixture oxidize the tarnish off the fake jewelry. Also, the silver from the aluminum plate or foil will re-plate the damaged areas on your jewelry.
Step 7
Once the tarnish is gone, take out your jewelry from the mixture. Now, this can take some seconds to 2 minutes. You need to be a bit patient. Gradually, you will notice that your jewelry is turning shinier. With no time, it will regain its hue!!
Step 8
Use a dry, clean and soft rag to remove the little bit of tarnish left on the cheap jewelry by gently wiping. There you go!! You have brand new jewelry. You’re welcome!!!
Fake JewelryBottom Line?
Take a little time out of your busy schedule (maybe a weekend) and follow the below-discussed effective DIY recipe to treat your ruined cheap jewelry. It is time to get all those ruined fake jewelry back into the wardrobe as soon as possible!
Also Rea: Comprehensive Guide To Cleaning Jewelry
