How to clean bronze jewelry?: Tips and advice for the care of delicate jewels

How to clean bronze jewelry? Have you ever wondered this? Bronze is a gold-colored alloy of copper and tin, which attracts a lot of attention and is used in different ways in jewelry. Over time, bronze is exposed to the action of elements that tarnish it and interfere with its natural shine, creating a green layer on its surface.

Although in Albert Hern we do not work with this material for our fine jewelry, we do have a lot of experience taking care of delicate pieces, and today we want to share some useful information to maintain clean bronze.

There are several techniques of how to clean bronze jewelry and how to keep bronze from tarnishing, simple and easy to apply to maintain the shine of the jewelry.

Cleaning bronze: step-by-step guide

If you're wondering how to clean a bronze necklace or a bronze ring that has lost its shine, here is a step-by-step guide. The first thing you need to do is prepare the work area to achieve better control and ensure the success of the task. For this, we will do the following:

1. Gather the necessary materials:
• Soft microfiber cloths
• Mild soap
• Warm water
• Container for mixing solutions
• Soft-bristle brush (optional)
2. Identify the type of dirt on your bronze piece
3. Ensure you work in a well-lit and ventilated area

Now, depending on how dirty the jewelry or bronze piece is, we will apply the following methods:

Basic Cleaning:

1. Fill a container with warm water.
2. Add a few drops of mild soap and mix gently.
3. Soak a soft cloth in the soapy solution.
4. Gently rub the surface of the bronze in circular motions.
5. Pay special attention to areas with more dirt.
6. Rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe the piece to remove the soap.
7. Dry immediately with a clean, dry cloth.

Intermediate Cleaning (for moderate dirt):

1. Prepare a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.
2. Soak a clean cloth in the solution.
3. Gently rub the bronze piece.
4. Rinse well with clean water.
5. Dry completely with a soft cloth.

Deep Cleaning (for very dirty or dull pieces):

a. Lemon and Vinegar Method:

1. Mix equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar.
2. Soak the bronze piece in the solution for 15-20 minutes.
3. Gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush or cloth.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
5. Dry immediately and thoroughly.

b. Baking Soda Method:

1. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a few drops of water.
2. Apply the paste to the bronze surface with a soft cloth.
3. Rub in circular motions, paying attention to dull areas.
4. Let the paste sit for 5-10 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
6. Dry the piece with a clean cloth.

Final Polishing:

1. Use a dry, clean microfiber cloth.
2. Gently rub the entire surface of the bronze in circular motions.
3. This step will help restore the natural shine of the bronze.

How do you shine bronze?

To prevent bronze garments from losing their shine and discoloration on the skin due to constant use, some simple techniques can be applied, such as special transparent enamels to cover the jewelry, which prevents the material from coming into direct contact with the skin. This technique is very useful for rings, earrings and necklaces.

Now, if a more permanent effect is desired, the jewelry can be sprayed with clear acrylic lacquer, which will create a protective layer against moisture, tarnish and the sun's rays. There are many special lacquers for cleaning bronze pieces.

How to polish bronze metal, is it necessary to use commercial cleaners?

There are some commercial brands that offer bronze cleaner options designed specifically to eradicate tarnish from parts, but they often contain very abrasive ingredients that can damage the outer surface of the parts. 

For those in the know, these products are no more effective than household cleaners and are an unnecessary expense.

Basic care for bronze garments

Bronze pieces must have special care to ensure their durability over time. 

The main care is to seal each garment with a clear gloss enamel. Sealed pieces are much easier to clean and maintain with their original luster and are prevented to some degree from developing green patina.

It is highly recommended to polish the garments with a special jewelry cleaning cloth, as is done with high karat gold or silver jewelry to maintain their particular luster. 

It should be noted that Albert Hern jewelry, even the most delicate, does not have this problem, as it is handmade with high jewelry materials such as gold and platinum:

Necklace 14kt Gold One Name Personalized

Ring 18 kt White Gold Oval Blue Sapphire & Taper Baguette Diamonds

The place where the garments are stored is also very important. 

When storing them, it is essential to keep them away from humidity, and to keep them in a space with adequate temperature, as is the case with finer and more delicate pieces of gold or silver.

Each piece should be cleaned and stored in a dry place with an airtight seal, where there are no sudden changes in temperature. This applies to all jewelry, whether they are pieces with precious stones or metals such as bronze.

Contact with chemical products that may damage the composition of the pieces should be avoided at all costs. To avoid scratches, it is advisable to store them in special jewelry boxes that have compartments with separators for each piece. Bags with airtight closures to separate them are also a good option.

Each material has its own particularity and must be cared for in a special way. In Albert Hern, you can find fine jewelry with a variety of models and options for you to choose according to your needs. Gold, diamonds, silver, precious stones, everything you need, with pieces like:

Necklace Golf Ball 14kt Gold

Earrings 14kt Gold Criss Cross Pearls & Diamonds

Ring Staking Gold with Diamonds