How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry (Restoration Guide)
Is your costume jewelry turning pink or green? Learn how to remove tarnish from brass/copper and identify when plating is gone.
Our team of certified gemologists and jewelry experts provides in-depth analysis to help you make informed purchasing decisions.
How to Clean Tarnished Jewelry: Restoration Guide
This guide is for "Costume," "Fashion," or "Plated" jewelry. If you have solid Gold or Silver, use their specific guides.
Fashion jewelry usually consists of base metal (brass, copper, or nickel) plated with a thin layer of gold or silver. Tarnish here is different: it's corrosion or the base metal showing through.
Identifying the Base Metal
Before cleaning, diagnose the issue.
- Dark/Dull Surface: This is dirt or surface oxidation. Cleanable.
- Green Gunk: This is "Verdigris," a reaction between copper/brass and moisture. Cleanable.
- Pink/Red Spots: This is the copper base metal showing through because the gold plating has rubbed off. Not Cleanable. You cannot "clean" the gold back on.
The "Ketchup" Trick (For Brass/Copper)
Believe it or not, the acidity in ketchup (vinegar + tomatoes) is perfect for eating away light tarnish on brass or copper jewelry.
- Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth or toothbrush.
- Rub it over the tarnished areas.
- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry.
The acid neutralizes the corrosion, leaving the metal bright.
Cleaning "Fake" (Costume) Stones
Rhinestones and crystals in fashion jewelry are often glued in, not prong-set.
- Rule: NEVER soak fashion jewelry in water. The water dissolves the glue, and your stones will fall out.
- Method: Dip a Q-Tip in rubbing alcohol (or Windex). By hand, gently wipe the face of the crystals. This restores sparkle without risking the glue backing.
When It's Gone vs Dirty
If you polish your piece and it still looks dull, pink, or grey, the plating is dead.
- Option 1: Trash carefully.
- Option 2: Re-Plating Pens. For small spots, you can buy "Gold Plating Solution" pens online (~$20) to touch up the color.
- Option 3: Clear Nail Polish. If the inside of a ring is turning your finger green, coat the clear nail polish on the inside band. It acts as a barrier between the copper and your skin.
Summary
Costume jewelry is temporary. To extend its life, keep it dry. Never wear it in the shower, pool, or gym. Moisture destroys plating faster than anything else.
Recommended Cleaning Products
Maintain the brilliance of your jewelry with these professional cleaning tools:
- Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Cloth: Perfect for polishing gold, silver, and platinum without scratching.
- Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner: Restores shine to intricate jewelry pieces in minutes.
Written by the TheCaratCut Editorial Team. Our recommendations follow our editorial policy. We may earn commissions through affiliate links — see our disclosure.