Care and Cleaning of your Rosaries and Religious Jewelry

How do we care for our Rosary Bracelet Wraps and religious jewelry?

In order to keep your beads and jewelry looking vibrant, it is important to keep in mind a few basic rules and follow some specific things:

  • It is best to keep them separate to avoid scratches. Don't stack them on top of each other.  To preserve them, wrap in soft cloth or, to keep silver parts from discoloring, store them in an anti-tarnish pouch.
  • Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or humidity as well as extreme temperatures. To prevent discoloration and damage, store them in a cool dry place.
  • Avoid exposure to cleaning chemicals, perfumes, soaps, hair spray, body lotion and so on. 
  • To clean gemstones: it is not recommended to use steaming, ultrasonic or boiling methods. These are too harsh of treatments for some stones. The best method of cleaning most gems and jewelry is to rinse with a mild soap and water. Wipe with a soft, untreated cloth that is not impregnated with abrasive materials. Dry gemstones and settings thoroughly before wearing or storing.
  • to clean the medals: most of the Crucifixes and Miraculous medals are made from an oxidized zinc alloy that with time and use can tarnish.
  1. One method of cleaning them is with common household toothpaste (non-gel varieties). To clean a component, work the paste into a lather and then apply directly to the piece, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush or similar to get into grooves, or scrub at more stubborn tarnish (please note that sometimes, if the tarnish has been left for too long, the metal will remain discolored). Once the component is clean, rinse thoroughly to ensure there is no paste residue, then dry.
  2. Another method is to use a jewelry cleaning cloth to shine and remove any discoloring (easily found for purchase on Amazon, for example).

    As a rule of thumb: Like fine jewelry, your Rosary Bracelet Wraps and jewelry should be the last thing you put on when getting dressed and the first thing you remove at the end of the day.  :)