The Collectibles Store Blog

A typical trouble with vintage rhinestone jewellery is that the stones may have began to look a little yellowy. This is simply not the rock crystal aging but is generally the glue that bonds the crystal onto the backing that’s getting older and getting hard.

The stone may suffer a loss of its sparkle due to oxidation after exposure to sunlight, air and pollution for a period of time however in most cases the cleaning process is simple and cheap and you are able to do the clean-up yourself at home.

You will find many various ideas on the best way to clean vintage rhinestone jewellery, however, the foil backing on the crystal is the issue that will cause the most problems.

The best method to clean retro rhinestone bracelets is always to spray it with compressed air to release up the dirt then wipe it down using a soft, lint-free rag and use a cotton bud dipped in surgical spirit to clean up the tiny crevices.

Many people merely use soap and water and brush the stone using a toothbrush to clean it however by doing this, you chance getting the metal foil damp which could turn the color black.

Once you have done the cleaning process, wipe the rhinestone dry using a fresh dry cloth or use a hair dryer on low heat or even cool air setting in order to accelerate the drying process.

If you see that the stone has started to be yellowish at the bottom, it may be due to the oxidation of the epoxy holding the stone and the metal foil.  In which case, the problem is below the stone and it is probably not possible for you to clean it without removing the stone.

If this occurs, so that you don’t chance additional damage, you may have to send the rhinestone jewellery to an expert for cleaning.

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