A DIAMOND expert has debunked the viral hacks that can damage your valuable jewelry.
She also shared a “thorough” cleaning method that removes dirt and grime.
Shields Diamond expert Kylie Pitt has revealed that investing in a cleaning device is the easiest way to restore shine to your jewellery.
While DIY solutions are trending on TikTok, she warned that many of them can be harmful to certain gemstones and metals.
MASSIVE MUST
ULTRASONIC JEWELRY CLEANER
When it comes to cleaning your jewelry effectively, Pitt recommended an ultrasonic cleaner to remove dirt in hard-to-reach areas.”
“Be sure to opt for an ultrasonic cleaner designed specifically for jewelry,” she advised.
While the product is safe to use on most jewelry, the expert also issued a warning for the product.
“Avoid using this method for finer items with delicate settings or non-diamond gemstones, such as emerald or opal,” she said.
MASSIVE CHAOS
There are several online hacks for maintaining your jewelry that are making waves, and Pitt shared his top five to avoid because they can do more harm than good.
NO MORE REFRIGERANT
While viral posts about soda as a jewelry cleaner have nearly 140,000 combined TikTok views, Pitt suggested avoiding soda when cleaning your jewelry.
Coolant is very sticky, so it can attract more dirt and grime.
This is because acids and sugars can damage and leave residue on your jewelry.
“While it can clean certain metals like copper, it can be harmful to most metals and gemstones,” she explained.
KETCHUP
Ketchup emerged as an unexpected cleaning agent on TikTok, which has almost 180,000 views on the topic.
“Ketchup can be used to clean and remove tarnish on copper-based jewelry, but it is messy and not effective or suitable for other types of materials,” Pitt explained.
She added that its acidic properties can also damage metal and precious stones if used for a long period.
“Additionally, ketchup should not be used on lab-grown diamonds or any diamond jewelry, as the acidity can damage the metal settings and remain ineffective for cleaning diamonds,” she warned.
SALTY WATER
Salt is an item that can be easily found in most homes, so it makes sense that TikTok users would try it as a cleaning solution.
“Salt has minimal benefits for cleaning jewelry and is ineffective at removing dirt and grime on jewelry – what’s more, it can cause corrosion and tarnish metals,” Pitt said.
She said it “does not provide significant benefits” and will only damage the metal in your jewelry.
“I also will not recommend using salt water to clean lab-grown diamonds as it can corrode the metal settings and will not be effective for proper cleaning,” she added.
TOOTHPASTE
Toothpaste is another popular choice, but Kylie doesn’t recommend it because of its texture.
“While toothpaste is great for removing surface dirt from metals, it contains abrasive agents that can cause micro-scratches and damage the finish on metals and stones,” she explained.
She recommended using only a gentler cleaning solution designed for jewelry.
LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice is another jewelry cleaning trick that’s gone viral, with a whopping 1.8 million views on TikTok.
Pitt said it can be used to clean tarnish marks on copper and brass jewelry, but there are some drawbacks.
“Its acidic nature can cause harmful damage to your pieces, such as discoloration and weakening the hold of metals and precious stones,” she explained.
For pieces with “porous or soft gemstones” like pearls or turquoise, she suggested avoiding them altogether as they are too hard for everyday wear.
The acidity of lemon juice can also have negative effects on lab-grown and natural diamonds.
She suggested using mild soap and water to safely clean lab-grown jewelry.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
