Regular cleaning is the single most important thing you can do to keep your jewelry looking beautiful. Body oils, lotions, soap residue, and everyday grime accumulate on jewelry and dull the brilliance of diamonds and the luster of metals. The good news is that most jewelry can be safely cleaned at home with simple household items.
The Universal Cleaning Method
This method is safe for gold, platinum, diamonds, and most hard gemstones:
- Prepare solution: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap (like Dawn) into a bowl of warm (not hot) water
- Soak: Place jewelry in the solution for 15 to 30 minutes to loosen buildup
- Scrub gently: Use a very soft toothbrush (baby toothbrush is ideal) to gently scrub around stones, under settings, and in crevices where grime accumulates
- Rinse: Rinse thoroughly under warm running water. Place a mesh strainer over the drain to prevent accidental loss
- Dry: Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Allow to air dry completely before storing
Cleaning by Jewelry Type
Diamond jewelry: Diamonds are the easiest stones to clean. The universal method above works perfectly. For stubborn buildup, you can add a small amount of ammonia (one part ammonia to six parts water) to the soaking solution. Diamonds are extremely durable and will not be damaged by this process.
Gold jewelry: The warm soapy water method works well for all gold karats. Avoid abrasive cleaners or rough cloths that can scratch softer higher-karat gold. For heavily tarnished pieces, a specialized gold cleaning solution is recommended.
Silver jewelry: Silver tarnishes naturally when exposed to air and moisture. For light tarnish, use a silver polishing cloth. For heavier tarnish, use a commercial silver cleaner or the baking soda paste method: make a paste of baking soda and water, apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry. Never use silver cleaning methods on silver jewelry that contains gemstones without checking if the stones are safe.
Platinum jewelry: Platinum is very durable and easy to clean. The universal soapy water method is ideal. Platinum develops a natural patina (a matte finish) over time that many people love. If you prefer the original bright finish, a jeweler can polish it back to a high shine.
What NOT to Do
- Never use bleach or chlorine on any jewelry — it can permanently damage gold alloys and weaken prongs
- Never use toothpaste — despite the popular myth, toothpaste is abrasive and will scratch metals and soft gemstones
- Never use ultrasonic cleaners on pearls, opals, emeralds, turquoise, or any porous or treated gemstone — the vibrations can cause damage
- Never boil jewelry — extreme temperature changes can crack gemstones and damage certain treatments
- Never use paper towels — they contain wood fibers that can scratch soft metals like gold and silver
Gemstones That Require Special Care
Not all gemstones can handle the universal cleaning method:
- Pearls: Wipe with a damp soft cloth only. Never soak pearls — the string can weaken and the nacre can be damaged by chemicals.
- Opals: Clean with a damp cloth only. Opals contain water and can crack if dried out or exposed to heat.
- Emeralds: Most emeralds are oil-treated. Ultrasonic cleaners and ammonia can strip the oil, making inclusions more visible. Clean gently with warm soapy water only.
- Turquoise and coral: Porous stones that absorb chemicals. Wipe with a damp cloth only.