How to clean amber beads at home?

Sunny amber harmonizes with clothes of different colors. This versatility is why women love the gem. To ensure that it complements images for as long as possible and pleases the eye, do not forget to learn how to properly care for it. If you don't do this, you won't be able to avoid stains, scratches and even cracks. So, how to clean such beads at home?

Methods for cleaning amber beads

There are several methods. They involve soaking, polishing and oiling. The final stage of care is the same in almost all methods. The stone will need to be dried with a rag. Under no circumstances should you use a steam generator, hair dryer or battery at this stage..

Tooth powder

This method is suitable for cleaning round shaped beads. If the amber is uneven, there are protrusions and tiny depressions, then it is better to resort to another method, as small grains can clog the holes.

The procedure itself boils down to applying the powder to a colorless soft rag and wiping the jewelry with it. There is no need to be zealous and use brute force. Just like you shouldn’t use toothpaste – it’s not suitable.

Important! If the stone is set in precious metal, then it is better to use an ear stick instead of a rag.

Using soap

Soak the soap, wait until the water becomes cloudy and becomes a rich white color. The solution is ready. It serves 2 purposes: you can immerse amber jewelry in it for a short time or soak it with a rag, which you can then use to rub the beads.

Regardless of which option is used, at the end of the procedure you should:

• wipe the product with a dry cloth (soft, colorless);
• coat the string of beads with sunflower oil (do not overdo it, only a small amount is needed).

If after the first cleaning there are improvements, but the result is not ideal, then repeat the procedure.

With ammonia

Solution for heavily soiled amber jewelry. They will regain their lost qualities, you just need to place them in an ammonia bath (dilute 12 drops of the substance in 230 ml of warm water) for 5-10 minutes.

Important! This method is a last resort. The use of ammonia when caring for amber is undesirable.

Soaking in salt

For the bath you will need a glass of warm water and 30 grams of salt. The cleaning procedure itself:

• Mix the ingredients, make sure that all the grains dissolve;
• place an amber string of beads on the bottom and leave for 25–30 minutes;
• take out, rinse under warm water, wipe.

How to restore shine to a stone?

Polishing. The procedure is used to care for round amber beads that have no dents or uneven edges.The easiest way to carry out the event is to rub the mineral with a flannel rag. The points of attachment to the thread - the holes - can additionally be treated with a toothbrush or a special brush designed for cleaning jewelry. The device is sold in jewelry stores.

For the second polishing method you will need a salt bath.. The amber jewelry is soaked in it for 7–8 hours. After the specified time has passed, the beads are taken out and thoroughly polished using woolen cloth.

Important! Regardless of your polishing method, be sure to coat your jewelry with sunflower oil.

Ice bath. Solution for amber beads that have lost their luster due to lack of use and dust. Algorithm of actions:

• do not collect clean water in an iron bowl;
• add a few pieces of ice (if the container is of normal capacity, then 2-3 pieces are enough);
• soak the beads;
• stand for 5–8 hours;
• take it out and wipe it with a soft cloth.

Cleaning with a mixture of paraffin and tooth powder. Pre-crushed paraffin is mixed with the second ingredient and the mixture is applied to a flannel rag so that the rag is evenly covered with the composition. Afterwards, each individual bead is wiped with it.

After cleaning is complete, there may be some leftover homemade cleaning paste left on your jewelry. They get rid of them using another rag, also soft, but clean and dry.

Mistakes you shouldn't make when cleaning

The following methods, substances and tools are not suitable for working with amber:

• some types of ultrasonic cleaning;
• care product for products made of precious metals;
• hard brushes (primarily metal) and rough rags;
• abrasives;
• aggressive chemistry.

Alcohol and alcohol-containing products are used at your own peril and risk in cases where other methods have already been tried but have not yielded results.

How to prevent clouding?

The key to success is periodic processing. It is necessary to wash the product in warm water from time to time (cold or hot water will do more harm than good). If the jewelry is very expensive, then it is better not to risk it and replace the water procedures with wrapping with wet napkins.

Important! At the end of the event, the item should be immediately wiped dry. If you put it off until later, the stone will fade again.

Also worth organize storage correctly. Recommendations for care and placement of decoration:

1. Amber loses depth and transparency from constant exposure to direct sunlight. To preserve the natural properties of the stone, Do not wear it often on hot days and try to limit the time you spend outside in summer. However, the mineral should not remain completely without sun. It is necessary to “walk” him from time to time.
2. The stone's resistance to mechanical damage is low. To avoid putting it in danger again, do not place or store it together with metal jewelry. Ideally You should allocate a separate box for amber jewelry and costume jewelry, well, or a compartment in the storage system - depending on what is available at home. And do not sleep with the beads, because this may cause them to break.
3. Important! Do not clean gems with needles or other sharp metal objects. At best, this will lead to the formation of scratches on the surface of the mineral.A.
4. Make sure that there are no sources of heating or humidity near the decoration.The gem will continue to please only if it is protected from temperature changes and jumps in air humidity levels.
5. Don't leave things on the windowsill. In summer, this is fraught with exposure to sunlight. In winter - sudden changes in temperature due to drafts and heating due to the operation of batteries.
6. Due to prolonged storage in the open air, the surface of the stone cracks.
7. Important! It is impossible to restore the integrity of cracked amber. If a defect appears, you need to contact a specialist.
8. Cosmetics can cause serious harm to amber. First of all, contact with hairspray is undesirable. A chemical reaction can also begin due to the ingress of toilet water, but not every one. Basically, cheap perfumes that have a high alcohol content are banned.
9. The cause of cloudiness may be spraying deodorant on the jewelry.
10. Household and cleaning chemicals not intended for jewelry should not come into contact with or be stored near amber.

Also contact with food should be avoided (especially fatty and acid-containing) and adhesive mixtures, protect the product from animals and insects, and do not provide access to it for small children. If these rules are followed and cleaning is carried out in a timely manner, the attractiveness of an amber necklace or pendant is not in danger.