How to Clean Silver and Pearl Necklace

Silver requires a delicate touch, but cleaning techniques appropriate for silver can be too much for pearls. Cleaning a piece of jewelry with both silver and pearls can pose a bit of a challenge, especially with intricate silver pieces featuring “nooks and crannies” that are difficult to clean by hand. Although some silver dips are marketed as being safe for pearls, pearls are porous, and therefore, submersion is not recommended. The ideal solution is to take the necklace to a jeweler. If you choose to do it yourself, you won’t get the same results, but you should see an improvement.

• Silver polishing cloth
• Soft cloth
• Makeup brush
• Warm water
• Mild shampoo
• Small bowl or cup

1. Use a silver polishing cloth to clean the silver part of the necklace. It will be difficult to get in any nooks or between links, so you may need to take it to a jeweler.
2. Once the silver is clean, you can clean the pearls. Make a solution of warm water with a few drops of mild shampoo.
3. Lay the necklace on a soft cloth.
4. Dip the makeup brush in the water solution, then use it to clean the pearls.
5. Wipe the pearls with a clean damp cloth.
6. Lay flat to dry.

• Consider leaving the tarnish in the deep set areas of the silver. This is often considered part of the charm of silver, as it adds an element of depth to the piece.