How to clean a harmony ball necklace

Short answer: Wipe a harmony ball with a soft, dry cloth, use a slightly damp cloth for marks and dry it straight away. Use silver polish only on silver, never on gold-plated steel, and never soak gemstone beads.

The basics

1. Take the necklace off before you wash your hands or use cosmetics.
2. Wipe the ball and chain with a soft, dry cloth.
3. For marks, use a cloth barely damp with water and a drop of mild soap, then dry straight away.
4. Let it dry completely before you put it in its pouch.

Silver

Silver darkens slowly. A silver polishing cloth removes it, and for heavier tarnish a silver cream and a soft brush work. Don’t use dip cleaners on pieces with gemstones. See the silver ball necklace guide.

Gold-plated steel

Don’t use silver polishing cloths, dips or abrasive creams on plated pieces. They can remove the plating. A dry cloth and an occasional damp wipe is all it needs. See the gold ball necklace guide.

Gemstone beads

Wipe them with a damp cloth and dry them. Don’t soak them. Soft stones such as lapis, moonstone and labradorite scratch easily, so store the necklace flat or hanging, away from harder jewellery.

Openwork cages

Dust collects in the pattern. Use a soft, dry brush, such as a clean make-up brush. Don’t push a pin into the cage, which can bend it.

If the chime sounds dull

Dirt or a bent cage can dull the sound. Wipe the outside and shake it gently. Don’t try to open the ball. If the sound stays dull, send the seller a message.

Storing it

Keep it in its cotton pouch, in a dry place, away from perfume and heat. See what to do with a pregnancy necklace after the birth if you are putting it away.

Questions people ask