EDUCATION

HOW TO CLEAN JEWELRY

Banter sells jewelry of all types, including gold, sterling silver and titanium, with natural and synthetic stones including diamonds, gemstones and pearls. This Care and Cleaning Guide will help keep your jewelry looking shiny and new.

JEWELRY CLEANING ESSENTIALS

Specially designed to safely clean and polish gold and silver jewelry, Banter™ by Piercing Pagoda jewelry cleaning products are great to have on hand for even your most delicate jewelry pieces.

Banter™ Professional Jewelry Cleaner

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Banter™ Professional Polishing Cloth

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CLEANING TIPS

GOLD & STAINLESS STEEL

Prevent scratches by avoiding contact with any hard surfaces.
When placing jewelry in a box or case, separate the items to prevent any chance of scratching.
Bathing will not harm gold, but ordinary soap and water will leave a film on its surface.
Use care when applying make-up, scents, and hair products. These chemicals can harm the finish of the item.
Clean gold jewelry with Banter Jewelry Gold Cleaner on a regular basis. Rinse thoroughly and dry with soft cloth. Or, use a Banter Jewelry Cloth.
Clean gold-filled jewelry and mixed metals using a Banter Jewelry Cloth.

SILVER

Sterling silver reacts with ozone and sulfides, such as hydrogen sulfide found in the atmosphere around many industrial cities, forming a black film of silver sulfide—the tarnish seen on silver jewelry.
Each person tarnishes silver differently, depending on the acids in the skin and what part of the body the jewelry touches.
Store silver in plastic bags when not being worn.
The best recommendation is to clean using a Banter Polishing Cloth.

TITANIUM

Titanium is a hard metal but can still be scratched. Use care when wearing.
Use a Banter Cleaning Cloth to wipe titanium jewelry and return it to its natural shine.

CHAINS & BRACELETS

A clean chain or bracelet will wear longer than one that is dirty. Dirt adds to the friction between the links in the chain and will cause it to wear faster.
Gold Jewelry Care sold at Banter is an excellent product and should be used to clean gold chains and bracelets. Silver chains and bracelets are enhanced by using the Banter Silver Care Polish. We also have a Banter Jewelry Cloth that works well for both.

CHARMS

Charms and charm bracelets must be cleaned regularly. Dirt and oils on the bracelet will wear the metal and compromise the durability.
Gold Jewelry Care sold at Banter is an excellent product and should be used to clean gold charms. Silver Care is an excellent product for silver charms but should never be used to clean gold jewelry. The Banter Jewelry Cloth works well for both gold and silver.
Care must be used when cleaning charms with stones. Some stones must never be placed in a jewelry cleaner.
- Opals
- Emeralds
- Pearls
- Turqoise
Charms should be stored in dry, cool areas and kept separated by compartments or pouches to avoid scratches. To prevent damage to charms, they should be removed when bathing, doing homework, playing sports, and applying make-up.

RINGS

Lotions and soaps can dull and damage rings. Therefore, rings must be cleaned regularly to keep them bright and shining.
Care must be used when cleaning rings with stones. Some stones must never be placed in a jewelry cleaner.
- Opals
- Emeralds
- Pearls
- Turqoise
Cleaning cloths should be used primarily on the metal part of a ring. Some jewelry cloths are imbedded with polishing compounds that can damage absorbent gems.
The polishing cloths sold at Banter are safe for gold and silver.
Rings should be stored in cool areas and kept separated by compartments or pouches to avoid scratches. To prevent damage to rings, they should be removed when bathing, doing homework, playing sports, and applying make-up.

EARRINGS

Many people do not remove earrings from their ears for extended periods of time. They can become coated with body oils, shampoo, and soap residue. It is important that earrings are removed and cleaned regularly.
Care must be used when cleaning earrings with stones. Some stones MUST NEVER be placed in a jewelry cleaner.
- Opals
- Emeralds
- Pearls
- Turqoise
Use Banter Gold and Silver Cleaner to clean earrings.
Remove when bathing, doing homework, and applying make-up.

DIAMONDS & CUBIC ZIRCONIA

The more often diamond and cubic zirconia jewelry is cleaned, the better it will look.
Clean stones appear newer and brighter. Simple cleanings can enhance the stone's appearance and increase enjoyment of the piece. Jewelry should be cleaned if it is worn every day to keep a just-purchased appearance.
Diamonds and cubic zirconia are very hard, so they are easy to clean.
The care of diamond and cubic zirconia jewelry varies depending on:
- What metal your diamond or cubic zirconia is set in.
- What other gemstones are set with the diamond or cubic zirconia.

COLORED GEMSTONES

Storage
- Keep in a dry place and avoid extreme temperatures. Keep jewelry separated in individual compartments or pouches to avoid scratches.
Handling & Wear
Jewelry is special and must be treated as such. Without proper handling, it can be damaged, dulled or even lost. Observe common sense precautions to avoid the most common dangers. This way you can keep it safe and beautiful for years to come.
- Film build-up can be avoided by removing jewelry before bathing. Soap film diminishes the liveliness and beauty. Remove jewelry before using make-up, powder, or hairspray.
- Avoid wearing jewelry while doing yard work and around chemicals.
- Avoid wearing jewelry while participating in vigorous sports.
- Never boil jewelry to clean it.
- Avoid extreme temperatures.
Special Tips for Cleaning
- You can use a commercial jewelry cleaner in its container. Read instructions on which gems can be used in the solution. You can also use a small, soft brush.
- Ultrasonic cleaners clean jewelry using vibration in a cleaning solution to loosen dirt. That vibration can be very harmful to most gemstones. The only gemstones suitable to be in an ultrasonic cleaner are Diamonds, Rubies, and Sapphires. (Just think: red, white, and blue.)

OPALS & EMERALDS

Opals: Do not use commercial cleaners or an ultrasonic cleaner. Clean using mild, warm sudsy water and be gentle. Rinse in clear, warm water and gently pat dry. Since opals have a high-moisture content, you need to keep them hydrated by storing them with a moistened cotton ball.
Emeralds: By nature, emeralds usually have a high number of internal inclusions called jardins ("gardens" in French). Consequently, emeralds are fragile and very susceptible to damage from a knock, heat, or vibration. Be very careful when cleaning emeralds.

PEARLS

Cultured pearls should be treated with attention to their care and, they can last for generations.
They should be kept in a soft, separate pouch or jewelry case to protect them from scratching. They only rank 2-2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so if exposed to other metals and stones, they can scratch.
One saying to remember for pearls is, "Pearls are the last thing you put on and first thing you take off." Hairsprays, cosmetics, and perfumes can be very damaging to pearls. Acids are created, which eats away at the nacre and luster.
To clean pearls, you should wipe them down after each use with a damp cloth moistened with water. Wipe dry with a soft cloth. Do not soak or wear pearls in shower. The silk thread can deteriorate in the strand or the epoxy holding the pearls can lose its ability to adhere.
Have your pearls restrung regularly.