How To Clean Earrings, According To Monica Vinader
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We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, there’s nothing that elevates an outfit quite like the perfect pair of earrings.
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Be it the gold hoops you wear daily to pull together even the simplest of white T-shirt and jeans combinations, the studs you stack up to create an Instagrammable ear constellation, or the costume jewellery pieces that pack a punch with your party wear, the right earrings complete most outfits with aplomb.
But, when your favourite earrings have become dull or discoloured, they’re not going to have the same impact. That’s why we spoke to founder, CEO and fine jeweller Monica Vinader to learn exactly how to clean your earrings at home.
How can you tell if your earrings need to be cleaned?
‘If you notice the shine or sparkle of your earrings disappearing, they’re definitely in need of a bit of TLC,’ Vinader tells ELLE UK.
‘It’s very typical for earrings to become a little dull over time, especially given how often they’re exposed to the products we use in our hair and face, their frequent exposure to our phones and air-pods, and just general handling (I think we’re all guilty of playing with our earrings throughout the day).
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‘It’d be impossible to try and minimise their exposure to these elements, so it’s important to be mindful of regular cleaning to keep them looking fresh.’
What is the best method to clean earrings by hand at home?
‘A soft, lint-free cloth is the best way to keep sterling silver, 18ct yellow and rose gold vermeil jewellery looking gleaming and brilliant.
‘Though tissue paper or paper towels may seem soft and non-abrasive, they can actually cause scratching when used to clean metal.
‘It’s important to research how to clean specific gemstones, as they do require different care.
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‘If the stones are natural they are vulnerable to absorbing dirt over time, making it important to clean them regularly after wearing them. But be sure to avoid hot water, harsh chemicals and cleaners since many natural gemstones can be delicate. As a result it’s best to clean them with a clean, soft, damp cloth.
‘Very porous stones such as pearls, turquoise, howlite and emerald should be cleaned using an untreated, dry, soft cloth only.’
What are the best products to clean earrings at home?
‘Ideally, you should use polishing cloths recommended or given by jewellery brands as they’re specifically designed to work with your jewellery. However, polishing cloths for eyeglasses will also be gentle enough to use.
‘I’m not a fan of jewellery cleaners and polishing liquids as I think they sometimes do more harm than good.
‘I would instead recommend bathing your earrings in a simple solution of warm water and the tiniest bit of non-antibacterial soap to help remove dirt and residue. Follow this with a gentle wipe down using your polishing cloth and the pieces will look refreshed.’
How often should earrings be cleaned?
‘In my opinion, daily cleaning is not realistic (I really live in my jewellery), but gently polishing earrings every few days works well to restore shine.
‘I recommend a deeper cleaning every few weeks for the earrings you wear the most often, especially if you’re a big fan of hairspray, perfumes, or playing with your earrings while you think, as these can create residue and oil build up on your earrings.’
When should you send your special earrings to be professionally cleaned?
‘Professional cleaning is a great choice if they are precious to you and you want to be extra careful with them.
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‘Earrings especially often combine multiple metals and/or gemstones that can each require a different type of care. Professionals will be able to assess how to clean each part of an earring and polish off any residue that just won’t move.’
What should you do to protect your earrings?
‘For more delicate or precious earrings, I prefer to store each one separately to avoid scratching or other damage. Many jewellery boxes have areas specifically designed to allow for keeping earrings separated.
‘If you live somewhere humid, it’s essential to place a small packet of desiccant crystals in the packaging to keep earrings from tarnishing.’
Daisy Murray Digital Writer Daisy Murray is the Digital Writer at ELLE UK, writing articles on vintage shopping to Melania Trump and everything in between.
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Is this Norfolk-made lucky charm the secret to Southgate’s success?
Published: 6:00 AM July 6, 2021 Updated: 8:14 AM July 6, 2021
It saw him through the World Cup. It’s seen him through to the semi-finals of the Euros 2020.
And no, it’s not Gareth Southgate’s famous waistcoat that has proved to be his lucky charm.
It’s a piece of Norfolk-made jewellery which has hung from the England manager’s wrist, a gift from his wife and children, since 2018.
Wells’ Monica Vinader is the designer behind Mr Southgate’s £115 friendship bracelet.
England manager Gareth Southgate wears Norfolk designer Monica Vinader. - Credit: PA
The designer said: “It is so amazing for me to see one of our pieces at the Euros, my husband, and my sister and co-founder are huge football fans and it’s great to feel we might bring some luck to England in these games.”
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The piece bears a special engraving from his family, Ms Vinader confirmed: “This is the second tournament he’s worn it. It’s so lovely that it means so much to him being from his family, it’s what makes our engravable pieces extra special.”
Ms Vinader is no stranger to accessorising high-profile names, with her customers including the Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle.
And when former Crystal Palace player Mr Southgate was first spotted sporting the bracelet, sales of the £115 piece of jewellery rose 350pc.
And the trend has not slowed down, said the designer: “We saw an increase in sales when Mr Southgate first wore the piece. In particular from a lot of men who have not previously realised we made things for them also.”
And as time has gone on the trend has continued, with Ms Vinader adding: “We’ve seen more men buying our pieces as time has gone on.
“It’s fantastic to see that our pieces can be worn by everybody. Our concept is that there are no rules on who should wear our pieces and how.”
How this celebrity-adored jewellery brand is tackling sustainability
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Hailey Beber, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebrity fans of the UK jewellery brand Monica Vinader.
The label was founded by Monica Vinader and her sister Gabriella almost twenty years ago from a studio in Norfolk, which is also home to Monica’s stunning rural home. It is known for its timeless modular designs, including gold chain bracelets and colourful natural stones, which can be worn in a plethora of different ways.
It has seen many changes in the past couple of decades, most noticeably working sustainability into its business model. Here, Monica shares the secret behind her success, as well as how to build the perfect capsule collection.
How has Monica Vinader evolved since you first started it?
When my sister and I first founded the business, demi-fine jewellery was a category that didn’t really exist yet and we were pioneering the use of 18ct gold vermeil on sterling silver to create affordable, everyday luxury pieces that women could buy for themselves. Today, there are many more brands in the demi-fine space which is incredible to see. This growth has pushed us to be more innovative and creative in the experiences we’re providing to our customers whilst staying true to our original vision.
What we have become incredibly focused on in the last few years is our environmental and social impact initiatives; designing and creating sustainably made pieces that don’t sacrifice the quality, beauty or accessibility the brand is known for and giving back to our community where and when we can in meaningful ways.
How did you manage to reinvent it as one of the brands loved by influencers and celebrities?
We’ve had celebrity fans since the early days with women like Christy Turlington, Jennifer Lopez and Aimee Song spotted regularly wearing our designs and have more recently been styled by Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and Katie Holmes. I’m always excited to see these women who are considered style icons continue to choose MV. I think it speaks to the timelessness of the designs we offer and the desire from these fashion leaders to shop and wear sustainable brands.
You’ve had a clear shift towards sustainability. What are the main areas you’re focusing on?
We, along with all of our suppliers, have been certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council for many years.
We’ve been able to make some incredible progress in reducing our carbon emissions by using 100% recycled gold and sterling silver for all of our products, transitioning to fully recyclable packaging, launching carbon neutral deliveries and sourcing sustainable alternatives for 85% of the single use plastic in our supply chain. We’ve also made the switch to renewable energy in all offices and stores in which we have direct control of the energy supply.
Finally, we offer a 5-year warranty on all of our pieces and will repair or replace it for free within that period. We’ve seen this encourage our customers to rewear, repair, recycle their pieces, creating more durability and longevity which helps breakdown throw away culture.
Is it a challenge trying to be sustainable in the fashion industry?
Yes – it’s not an easy or quick route, but it’s the right one. It was intimidating to start the journey – there’s so much education that is required and many different areas of a business that need to be considered – product materials and production, supply chain, green energy, packaging, shipping – the list goes on! We quickly understood that true change doesn’t happen overnight and the process couldn’t be rushed.
We’ve been focused on sustainability for several years now and are immensely proud of what we have done – being awarded the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark recognising our work in this space was a huge milestone for the brand. Shifting to a more sustainable way of working and living is truly a journey as we are constantly provided with new information and we will continue to challenge ourselves to adapt and grow along with it.
You’ve always focused on timeless pieces, is this the key to building a capsule jewellery collection?
As a brand, we design with the idea that our pieces will last in a customer’s jewellery box forever. Our pieces can be worn over and over again, and many are modular pieces that can be restyled in many different ways. I think it comes down to quality and good design – good craftsmanship and good design last, they take you through the years, and are the more sustainable option.
Do you have any tips for shopping more sustainably?