CZ Sterling Silver Jewelry Shopper

If you own a piece of Diamonique jewelry, or any cubic zirconia for that matter, it’s important to know the best way to care for it.  We found the following information on the QVC site, which owns Diamonique, about how to clean Diamonique jewelry.  They do offer a “cleaning system” for Diamonique which costs under $15, but we think this free method is great.

Cleaning and Caring for Diamonique® Jewelry

• Materials

Clean bowl
Lukewarm water
Mild dishwashing liquid or a mild jewelry cleaning solution
Fine mesh plastic or stainless steel strainer
Soft, clean, dry cloth (any dust or dirt on the cloth may scratch the piece)
Small, soft-bristled toothbrush or brush
Toothpick

A word about jewelry cleaners

If you are using a commercial jewelry cleaner, always follow the directions for that particular cleaning product. It is also very important to maintain the freshness of the cleaner by storing it in a tightly-sealed container. A stale or contaminated cleaner may be ineffective or even damage your jewelry. Check to see if your jewelry cleaner indicates a shelflife or expiration date.

• Preparation

  For older items with gemstones, check the setting(s) to make sure that the stone(s) is secure. Dirt and residue can fool you and act as a “cement,” keeping the stone in place even if the setting has been rendered weak from wear. If this is the case, and the residue is removed when cleaning, the loose stone may fall out. If working over or near a sink, plug the drain.

• Cleaning

If using a mild jewelry cleaning solution, pour into a clean bowl. You can also make your own solution by combining lukewarm water and mild dishwashing liquid.(2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid to 1 quart of water).

Place the piece in a strainer and put the strainer on top of the bowl so that the solution comes through the strainer and completely surrounds the piece.

Soak the item for 10 to 20 minutes. It’s important to soak the piece long enough to soften and loosen any residue and dirt.

Place the strainer on a large towel and inspect your jewelry to make sure that all the stones are intact.

Thoroughly, but gently, brush the top, sides, and bottom of the piece with a soft brush to remove the softened residue. Also brush the underside of the stone. Use a toothpick to reach crevices.

Rinse with clean water.

Thoroughly dry with a cloth that is soft, dry and clean. If you store the piece immediately after cleaning, leave the piece on a towel for an extended period of time to ensure it’s completely dry.

If all residue has not been removed, repeat the above steps as needed.

Some things are better demonstrated in video than words. This is a great video on how to clean and care for your sterling silver jewelry.

We provide lots of information on how to clean your cubic zirconia gemstone jewelry.  But oftentimes, cz is set with multiple stones, each of which may require their own methods to keep them looking their best.

The cleaning method depends partly on the hardness of the stone. Some gemstones such as malachite and apatite can be cleaned with soap and water.  Others, like cubic zirconia and sapphires should be steam-cleaned.  Also, some gemstone surfaces scratch easier than others, so it’s important to use the right kind of cloth.

This site lists the most popular gemstones organized by how they should be cleaned.  It’s a very handy reference to keep your gemstone jewelry looking gorgeous.

Safe Cleaning Methods for your Gemstones – Jewelry Collecting.

Glitzs provides solid information on how to delicately and effectively clean your cz silver jewelry.  Special diamond cleaner works, but is not required.  You can simply wipe the cubic zirconia with a soft damp cloth.  Use a dry, cotton cloth for polishing the silver or other precious metal.

A few other tips:

“Cleaning the CZ stones set in your silver jewelry is a delicate process with several important steps:

• Make sure that the stone is not loose before you clean it. If you can wiggle it with a toothpick, you should get it repaired before you clean it.
• Never immerse a stone in water or any liquid if it is foil-backed, or the foil will disengage.
• Use a solution of a drop or 2 of ammonia and 2 or 3 drops of dishwashing soap in half a cup of warm water on a damp cloth to clean each piece meticulously.”

Cleaning Silver CZ Jewelry.

High-quality sterling silver is an essential part of your cz piece.  The .925 indicator is a sign you’re getting pure silver.  But many product descriptions of cz sterling silver rings, earrings, and pendants often mention that the sterling silver is “rhodium-plated” or “rhodium electroplated.”and wonder if this is good for the jewelry piece or not.

Rhodium is a precious metal that is quite shiny.  So, when it is applied to white gold, it helps preserve the finish and adds a shine that white gold does not always have on its own.  Sterling silver has abundant shine, however the rhodium-plating helps to prevent the silver from tarnish and scratches.

Rhodium-plating can be a good way to protect your sterling silver jewelry.  However, it does not last forever. With frequently-worn rings such as a wedding band, you’ll find that the rhodium-plating wears off in 1-3 years. When this happens, simply take your piece to a jeweler to have it plated again.  This small investment will help preserve your jewelry for years to come.