Amber products are distinguished by their beauty and luxury; this stone is widely used in the manufacture of jewelry and handicrafts (for example, boxes, figurines, paintings) due to its unique shine and variety of shades. But often (with improper and irregular care) jewelry stops shining, becomes cloudy and acquires a patina, so in this article we will tell you how to clean amber at home quickly and effectively.
Amber jewelry always attracts attention
How to understand that cleaning is needed
Before you start cleaning your amber, determine why the stone is dirty or has lost its former beauty.
Cloudiness
Amber is believed to absorb negative energy, as well as diseases. In addition, amber can become cloudy if its owner is in a bad mood or has troubles. You can return your jewelry to its original appearance with the help of special rituals. Also, clouding of an amber product can be caused by various types of contamination.
The appearance of microcracks
Loss of shine and the appearance of small cracks on the surface indicate that the stone has been exposed to ultraviolet rays for too long. If you place amber in the sun to fill it with light energy, do not forget to put it back in the box in time. Amber is a very vulnerable mineral and does not tolerate mechanical stress. Improper storage near harder stones, such as diamonds, can contribute to the appearance of microcracks.
Spotting and fading
During wear, the stone comes into contact with the skin and cosmetics, which, with prolonged exposure, form stains on the surface. Even a small drop of toilet water can form a stain on the stone. Undoubtedly, such contaminants are quite easy to remove. However, it is even easier to prevent them by wearing jewelry only before leaving the house.
Plaque and dirt
Such problems usually appear if you wear jewelry for a long time and do not pay attention to regular cleaning. Amber does not withstand the effects of certain substances because it has a porous structure. With frequent contact with fats of plant or animal origin, unpleasant plaque and dirt appear on the surface of the stone. Fortunately, the problem is easily solved.
Dust
If amber jewelry is not worn for a long time and stored incorrectly, dust will soon settle on the surface. The appearance of dust contamination significantly affects the appearance of the stone, as it loses its color saturation, brightness and shine.
A split or crack in a stone is not yet a tragedy
If it happens that your amber splits or cracks form on it, do not consider the situation hopeless, but contact a jeweler as soon as possible. It is better not to try to correct such damage on your own, because you can damage the stone even more. You should not put off going to the jeweler, since the edges of a damaged stone may change its properties, and over time it will become more difficult to restore it. A master who has the necessary tools at his disposal will help repair the damage and give the stone its original appearance.
Amber is an unusual and somewhat magical stone, so it should be treated with love and attention. This is a real miracle of nature, which should not be hidden in boxes, so you need to carry it on yourself, take care of it, saturating it with sunlight and energy, then cleaning it with running water and carefully polishing it. And the amber stone, in gratitude for this, will give you its warmth and wondrous shimmer.
Methods for cleaning amber products
Choose the appropriate method for cleaning amber based on the specific contamination.
Wet cleaning
Cleaning with water is suitable if the decoration is covered with dust after long-term storage. Just rinse each pebble thoroughly with running water, and then dry the product naturally. After such a procedure, polishing the surface will not be superfluous.
If amber has absorbed negative energy and become cloudy, you can restore its purity and shine with the help of a special ritual.
On one of the last three days of the lunar calendar, hold the stone under running water for three minutes, and all negativity will be washed away. You can also leave amber under the light of the moon for 3 nights in a row during the full moon.
Ice
For more severe stains, you can give the stone a refreshing bath. For this you will need ice.
Procedure:
- Prepare a container with cool water and 2-3 ice cubes.
- Place the product in a container with ice liquid and leave for 6–7 hours, for example, overnight.
- After this, blot the stones with a soft cloth and dry in natural conditions.
Please note that this method is only suitable for jewelry made of amber or products containing stainless metals in the design.
Silver care wipes
You can buy special wipes for cleaning silver in the jewelry department. With their help, you can easily remove minor dirt and cloudiness on the surface of the stone. Typically, such a napkin has two sides: light for cleaning, dark for polishing. First, wipe the stone with the light side, removing all dirt, and then polish with the dark side.
Dentifrice
Brushing with tooth powder should be done without using water. It is also not recommended to apply toothpaste to amber, otherwise it will clog small cracks on the surface.
Progress:
- Prepare the required amount of tooth powder and a soft brush.
- Rub the powder over each stone individually.
- Continue cleaning until the surface is shiny.
After cleaning, polish the surface with a soft cloth.
Oil
Olive oil treatment is suitable for amber with minimal surface damage. Typically, oil is rubbed onto stones after any cleaning to correct minor scratches. In this procedure, dosage plays a fundamental role. Just a few drops of oil will be enough to treat the stones. After all manipulations, carefully wipe the jewelry with a soft cloth to remove excess.
Salt
Salt for cleaning amber is used as an ingredient in a special solution. It is not recommended to use dry salt as it may scratch the surface.
Action plan:
- Dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 liter of water at room temperature. spoon of salt.
- Pour the saline solution into a small container.
- Place the decoration in the container and leave for 6–8 hours, preferably overnight.
- After the required time, remove the products from the solution and air dry.
- Rub the surface of the stones with a woolen cloth.
- At the last stage, apply a little olive oil to each stone for shine.
Please note that this procedure is not recommended for products cut from metals susceptible to corrosion.
Paraffin powder
For the procedure you will need tooth powder and paraffin. Processing can be done in two ways:
- grind the paraffin on a grater and mix it with the powder, and then apply it to the surface of the amber using a cloth;
- Rub a piece of soft cloth with paraffin, and then sprinkle its surface with tooth powder.
The procedure itself is performed the same for any method of preparing ingredients. Rub the stones thoroughly with the finished product using a soft cloth. The appearance of a characteristic shine and shine will help you understand that the cleaning has worked.
Soap
Liquid or laundry soap will help enhance the effect of regular washing of jewelry with water. You can use liquid hand soap or laundry soap shavings by dissolving 1 tbsp. spoon of substance in 1 liter of water.
Procedure diagram:
- Prepare a soap solution in a small container.
- Dip the jewelry into the cleaning mixture.
- Gently rub each pebble with your fingers.
- Rinse the soap thoroughly with running water.
- Then dry the product by rubbing the surface of the stones with a soft cloth.
You can also simply soap your hands and rub the foam on the stones, then rinse them with plenty of water.
After all manipulations, rub the amber with olive oil. This will help create an incredible shine on the surface that will remain for a long time.
Ammonia
Ammonia will help give the stones shine and shine. This method is best used if the decoration is too dirty.
Description of the procedure:
- Dissolve 8–10 drops of ammonia in 1 glass of water.
- Place the decorations in the container for 10-15 minutes.
- After the required time, remove the product from the glass and let it dry naturally.
Polishing with a soft cloth will help add additional shine to the amber.
Cleaning from energy negativity
Adherents of paranormal phenomena are sure that amber is affected by external negative energy. A porous mineral absorbs it more strongly than others; after accumulation it becomes cloudy.
Amber can be cleansed in two ways:
- Waterfall. After rinsing the pebble under it, imagine how all the darkness is washed away. The procedure is carried out on the waning moon, preferably in the last three days of the lunar month.
- Moonlight. Decorations are displayed in an open space or on a windowsill. The duration of the procedure is three nights, from the full moon.
A mineral freed from negative energy should shine. If the stones have not changed after magical or ordinary manipulations, then most likely they are fake.
Features of cleaning amber jewelry with precious metals
If your amber jewelry is framed in precious metals such as platinum, gold or silver, pay special attention to cleaning.
The most effective cleaning of such products is considered to be treatment with washing powder with ammonia. Use powder without active ingredients or bleach, as well as distilled or boiled cooled water and a soft brush for cleaning.
Progress:
- Add 2-3 drops of ammonia to a small handful of powder.
- Apply the cleaning solution to the surface of the jewelry and scrub with a brush for 7-10 minutes.
- Rinse off any remaining substance with prepared water.
- Polish the stones.
Please note that this method is not suitable for cleaning cut items made of blackened silver or rhodium. For such jewelry, only careful polishing is suitable, otherwise the surface of the metal will wear off over time.
How to polish the surface of amber
In some cases, a standard polishing procedure helps restore the former shine to an amber piece of jewelry. It can be performed either with or without a special tool. The procedure will help restore the shine and smoothness of the stone.
We use polishing compounds
Before polishing, you can use available amber cleaning products, such as paraffin powder or saline solution. In addition, you can purchase special compositions for cleaning amber in the jewelry department. The most popular are:
- means "Crocus";
- paste GOI.
The principle of their use is extremely simple - apply the substance to the surface of the stone, rub thoroughly, and then polish with a soft cloth. Be careful not to use GOI paste on amber even with small cracks, otherwise it will turn green.
Easy polishing
Simple polishing is based only on wiping the product with a soft cloth. You can use for the procedure:
- velvet;
- fleece;
- flannel;
- microfiber;
- felt.
Your movements should be soft and careful. Polish in a circular motion over the entire surface of the amber. For a better effect, you can pre-lubricate the stone with a drop of olive oil or GOI paste.
Basic rules of care
There are several proven rules that will definitely help you clean amber well at home. These include the following recommendations:
- To carry out hygiene procedures, you need to use exclusively delicate materials, such as suede.
- Small parts of amber jewelry should be cleaned using cotton swabs.
- After cleaning with water, you must thoroughly dry each bead or other elements.
- After completing the cleaning, you need to apply a few drops of vegetable oil to a soft cloth and rub the amber well until it shines.
How not to clean amber
Amber jewelry requires special attention. The stone requires very careful handling, especially during cleaning and storage. To maintain the attractiveness of the products, do not use for cleaning:
- ultrasonic technologies;
- aggressive substances that can damage the surface;
- alcohol-containing solutions;
- substances for treating metal surfaces;
- steam cleaners.
It is not recommended to use hard brushes or abrasives that can scratch the surface.
How to care for and store amber jewelry
You can extend the life of your amber jewelry by paying special attention to tips on storing and caring for the stone. These recommendations are quite simple and do not require supernatural efforts from you:
- Regularly polish your amber pieces with a soft cloth.
- Do not leave it in the sun or in a room with sudden changes in air temperature.
- Follow cleaning guidelines and do not use prohibited substances.
- Try not to drop amber jewelry or allow cosmetics to come into contact with them.
- Store amber separately from other jewelry (especially those with sharp edges). Ideally, keep a separate small box for amber items or wrap each piece in velvet.
Amber is a unique natural stone, which, like other jewelry, requires special treatment. In order for it to remain shiny and shiny for a long time, be sure to follow the rules for storing and caring for it, and also use only certain substances for cleaning.
