How To Clean Rhinestone Jewelry

A common problem with vintage rhinestone jewelry is that the stones may have started to look a bit yellowy. This is not the rock crystal aging but is actually the glue that bonds the crystal onto the backing that's aging and getting hard.

The stone may lose its sparkle due to oxidation after exposure to sunlight, air and pollution for a period of time but in most cases the cleaning process is simple and inexpensive and you can do the cleaning yourself at home.

You will find many varying opinions on the best method to clean vintage rhinestone jewelry, however, the foil backing on the crystal is the thing that causes the most problems.

The safest method to clean vintage rhinestone jewelry is to spray it with compressed air to loosen up the dirt and then wipe it down with a soft, lint-free rag and use a cotton bud dipped in surgical spirit to clean the tiny crevices.

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Many people just use soap and water and brush the stone with a toothbrush to clean it but this way, you risk getting the metal foil wet which will turn the color black.

After you have completed the cleaning process, wipe the rhinestone dry with a clean dry cloth or use a hair dryer on low heat or even cool air setting to speed up the drying process.

If you notice that the stone has turned yellowish at the bottom, it could be due to the oxidation of the glue holding the stone and the metal foil.  In which case, the problem is underneath the stone and it may not be possible for you to clean it without removing the stone.

If this happens, so that you don't risk further damage, you may have to send the rhinestone jewelry to an expert for cleaning.

How to Clean Your Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry