QuestionI soaked 2 gold rings with stones, 1 gold necklace w/ gold charm. 1 gold necklace w/ 3 small diamonds each set in a bezel, (1) multi-diamond platinum ring. The solution was equal parts vinegar to water plus there was a large safety pin in the solution. All pieces were soaking for almost a week. The gold pieces turned a bronze-like color and the platinum ring seemed to have lost the platinum color. What should I do?!
AnswerHi, Janet.
I believe you have some backing up to do, perhaps wishing you had not soaked the jewelry in the vinegar solution. Where did you hear this was a good thing to do, perhaps something someone else suggested?
The best home cleaner for jewelry is mild household ammonia with water added and perhaps some mild dish detergent. Do not use ammonia on silver or porous stones such as turquoise, pearls, etc. Do not soak. Only swish the jewelry around and use a soft brush to wipe and clean then rinse well. If you have any stones or pearls you fear may be damaged by household ammonia with water, simply clean with a gentle dish detergent, rinse well and pat dry.
In you situation, you might try rubbing with your fingers with a wet paste of baking soda. If this does not remove the discoloration, the jewelry should be taken to a jeweler to be buffed and polished. I am sure the discoloration is only a surface effect but might be too hard to remove yourself.
I hope this works for you. Try the baking soda first. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
