How to care for Thésaurí Temporum jewellery

Legends cast in metal

Сontents:

- Why TikTok hacks are not meant for our jewellery

- What not to do with Thésaurí Temporum jewellery

Regular care:

- Dry cleaning

- Glycerine cleaning

Occasional care – for more visible tarnish:

- Impregnated polishing cloths

- Mild soapy solution

- Glycerine solution

Where to buy:

- polishing cloths

- glycerine

Why TikTok hacks are not
meant for Thésaurí Temporum jewellery

Boiling water with bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice, banana peel, toothpaste – such remedies may work on untreated silver. But Thésaurí Temporum pieces are not just silver.

They are:
– plated with rhodium or gold
– adorned with precious stones
– decorated with enamel
– detailed with blackening

These “tips and tricks” may strip away the plating, scratch the stones, or wash out the blackened accents.

And yet, caring for your piece is not difficult. It is a quiet ritual – one that preserves its beauty.

What not to do with your jewellery

Whether it is gold- or rhodium-plated silver, or silver finished with blackening – the care rules remain the same.

01 Water & temperature

– Avoid sudden changes in temperature
– Never boil your jewellery
– Do not use ultrasonic cleaning devices

For rings with enamel or gemstones –

do not submerge fully in water.

02 Chemicals

– Avoid vinegar, citric acid, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide
– Steer clear of alcohol-based products
– Do not use acids or aggressive liquids

03 Mechanical cleaning

– Never scrub with hard brushes
– Avoid abrasive substances (such as bicarbonate of soda or toothpaste)
– Do not use coarse cloths or polishing wipes with abrasive properties
– Refrain from any forceful mechanical cleaning

A Quiet Ritual: How To Care For Your Jewellery

The following methods are suitable for all types of Thésaurí Temporum jewellery.

Regular care

These are gentle techniques for regular upkeep, designed to preserve both the plating and the natural lustre. Use them once or twice a month – or whenever needed.

1. Dry cleaning

The simplest way to care for your jewellery is dry cleaning.

The simplest way to care for your jewellery is dry cleaning. Gently wipe the piece with a soft cloth – flannel or microfibre work best. Do not rub or apply pressure.

2. Glycerine cleaning

99% pure glycerine is a safe and suitable method for all types of plating – gentle and effective when used with care.

How to use:

Apply 2–3 drops of glycerine to a cotton pad.
Gently wipe the metal parts of the piece, avoiding gemstones, enamel, and blackened areas.
Leave the glycerine on the surface for 5 minutes.
Rinse with warm water.
Dry carefully with a soft cloth – flannel or microfibre.

If the piece includes a gemstone – simply work around it.

If there is enamel – avoid wiping the enamelled surface.

If the piece features blackening – dab lightly, do not rub.

Here you’ll find the glycerine options – with links for Europe, the UK and the US.

Occasional care – for more visible tarnish

These methods can be used once a month, or in cases where regular cleaning is no longer sufficient.

For a deeper clean, we primarily recommend using professional products – such as impregnated polishing cloths. They offer a gentle yet effective way to restore shine, and are easy to use at home.

1. Caring with impregnated polishing cloths

Impregnated polishing cloths are a simple and convenient way to care for plated jewellery – including rhodium and gold plating, as well as solid gold and silver.

General guidance:

Use only impregnated cloths specifically designed for jewellery.
For rhodium plating: dedicated cloths for rhodium are rarely available. Look for those marked “suitable for gold and silver” or “for yellow and white gold”. Avoid cloths intended for yellow gold only, as they may leave marks.
Do not use polishing cloths on enamel or blackened areas – these are best wiped with a dry, soft cloth.

Please note:

Impregnated cloths must not be washed.
Do not use general-purpose wipes – including those for glasses, screens or disinfection. Only use cloths clearly marked “for jewellery”.
Always check the packaging to see which metals the cloth is suitable for.

2. Cleaning with a mild soapy solution

If your jewellery needs a quick refresh, a simple soap solution may be enough.

Recommended for:
✔ Gold- and rhodium-plated jewellery
✔ Sterling silver with blackening
✔ Rings with gemstones – when only the metal is immersed carefully

Not suitable for: pieces with enamel

How to prepare the solution:
Mix 1 teaspoon of mild soap or baby shampoo (free from harsh additives such as strong fragrances or colourants) with 200 ml of warm water.
For strongly oxidised sterling silver without gold- or rhodium-plating, you may add ¼ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

How to use:
– Place the piece in the solution.
– Soak for 15 minutes (up to 30 minutes for oxidised silver without rhodium or gold plating).
– Rinse gently with warm water.
– Pat dry with a soft cloth – flannel or microfibre.

For rings with stones:

rest the piece on a folded towel at an angle, so that the stones remain above the waterline.

3. Soaking in a glycerine solution

A 1:1 mixture of glycerine and water provides a gentle, deeper clean for most Thésaurí Temporum pieces – including gold-plated, rhodium-plated and blackened sterling silver jewellery.

Recommended for:
✔ Gold- and rhodium-plated jewellery
✔ Sterling silver with blackening
✔ Rings with gemstones – when only the metal is immersed carefully

Not suitable for: pieces with enamel

How to prepare the solution:
Mix equal parts of 99% pure glycerine and warm water (for example, 50 ml of each).

How to use:

Place the piece in the solution for 10–15 minutes.
After soaking, rinse gently with warm water.
Pat dry with a soft cloth – flannel or microfibre.

For rings with gemstones:
• Rest the ring on a folded towel placed in a small bowl or dish.
• Position it so that the metal is immersed, while the stone remains above the waterline.

Here you’ll find the glycerine options – with links for Europe, the UK and the US.

Where to buy: polishing cloths

Over the years, we’ve come to trust cleaning products from Hagerty – and have always been pleased with their quality. We’ve also heard consistently positive feedback from fellow jewellers about the Connoisseurs range. Both brands are available on Amazon.