Designer jewellery is an important part of a woman's wardrobe. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more are essential complements to a variety of looks. But these pieces can become dirty and dulled with time. Follow a few simple procedures to keep your jewellery in good shape and looking great.

Costume jewellery can be cleaned with any soap and water solution. Use a toothbrush to scrub and get in the corners. You can also use a wooden toothpick to pry out the difficult bits of dirt. Just be careful around the settings as they can come loose. Also be sure to dry them thoroughly with a hair dryer on low setting. Water residue can loosen the glue that holds crystals and rhinestones in place.

More expensive designer jewellery should be cleaned with a little more care. Diamonds can be polished very effectively with a solution of warm water and ammonia. Dip a cotton swab into the solution and gently clean the stone to bring back its shine. Clean gold jewellery with soap and water only. Other chemicals can discolour the metal. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and scrub it very gently. Silver tarnishes on contact with air and requires a specific material to clean it. Use a silver dip for jewellery with silver only and a polish for silver with stones in it. Never immerse any stones or crystals in a silver dip; instead, clean around them very carefully with the polish and a soft cloth. Pearl and opal designer jewellery is beautiful and also very delicate. Try a very gentle soap, such as one made for babies, in a warm water solution to clean opals. For pearls, any soap and water solution should work, but never use an abrasive material to clean them. They scratch very easily.

When in doubt, take your designer jewellery to a professional jeweller for cleaning. If you are at all uncertain about the material or appropriate cleaning technique, it is best to trust the task to the professionals. They have sonicators, which use sound waves and water, to gently remove dirt and grease from the most intricate pieces. They will also be able to tighten up any loose stone that you may not realize you are in danger of losing. Everyday wear and tear can dirty and dull your beautiful jewels. The oil from your skin can build up over time and cloud gemstones. Bring back their shine with simple, yet safe and effective, cleaning methods.