How to keep your rhinestone jewelry shiny?

[Pinkie]

How do you keep your rhinestone jewelry clean and shiny? I have a gorgeous necklace that I love, and hardly ever wear, but some of the stones are dull. I don't think they are dirty. I read online that the foil backing on the stones can come off due to water, perfumes, oils, etc., and make the stones look dull. Has anyone ever done anything to replace the foils and make them shinier? Thanks!

 

[Foofoogal]

Don't ever immerse rhinestones in liquid. Use a soft old toothbrush dipped sparingly in diluted window cleaner though there are some products for this. With finger make sure as much as the liquid as possible is off the toothbrush and then even blot on cloth. The key is to not get any liquid behind to damage the foil back if it has one.
Never store rhinestone jewelry with bakelite jewelry as the bakelite lets off fumes.

 

[Pinkie]

Interesting, I didn't know that about rhinestones and bakelite, thank you!

 

[Nashoba]

foofoo is it possible to replace the foil backing on a rhinestone or are you just kinda stuck when they dull out?