Easy way to clean rhinestones without damaging old costume jewelry?

[graciec620]

I got several pieces of old costume rhinestone jewelry this past weekend. Many of the pieces have rhinestones that are small and very close set. All are prong set. But they have some gunk on them that needs to be cleaned so they will sparkle for photos. Can I use sunshine cloths or will that ruin them? Is there a way to clean the stones without damaging the metal? 

[christinesclassicjewelry · Accepted solution]

I use a baby toothbrush, slightly damp, and it gets them pretty clean. I wouldn't use a sunshine cloth as it is mildly abrasive. I then use a soft cotton cloth to wipe off any leftover residue and buff them up. 

[southernmermaid8]

You can also use a paintbrush if you have one of those and no baby toothbrush around.  😊 

If the gunk is real bad,  I will use a cotton swab slightly damp with rubbing alcohol.  Just make sure to squeeze the excess off before using,  you don’t want it soaking wet.

[graciec620]

That’s perfect! Thank you. I thought that to try and clean each tiny stone with isopropyl alcohol might lead to a disaster to the metal as my eyes are not that good and my hand isn’t that steady. 

[graciec620]

 It’s fairly bad on this Coro piece. My concern is that I might ruin the value if I try to use a cotton swab on all the little stones. 

 This one is bad too but I’m just gonna leave it as it has seed pearls in it and no telling what might happen to them while I tried to clean. The Eisenburg Original piece that I got is easier to clean so I’m safe there. 

[idealgems1]

Just don't get the rhinestones too wet.  Those are foilback glass stones.  When moisture gets between the foil and the glass, the rhinestones get dark, then get worse and worse the more you try to clean them.

[graciec620]

Thank you for that. It’s my biggest fear that I’ll actually make things worse by trying to make it better. I’ll keep a “damp” on the dry said. 

[southernmermaid8]

This is why I like alcohol,  it dries out quicker,  but yes do not soak it,  damp is best

[graciec620]

Thank you all. Here is the before and after of the Coro piece. I did alcohol sprayed on cotton swab and then I squeezed it damp. Cleaned to the best of my ability without touching the metal. (No easy task for an over caffeinated person.) I buffed with one of the many soft microfiber cloths that I use for my anti-reflective glasses as I figure it will also work on rhinestones which it did. 

 Before

 After

[idealgems1]

Looks great...worth your effort!

[dimakr7]

Nice! Big difference.

[southernmermaid8]

They look AMAZING !  So much better.  ❤️🥰

[graciec620]

Thank you all for your help. Now I just need to figure out how to separate the two. I’ve never had a Duette before and I’m as mechanical as a piece of petrified wood. Hopefully the patent will shed some light on it. 

[vintagepl]

Nice job & I learned something here. Thanks!