Jewelry Cleaning 101
Photo credit: @shinery
Our guide to keeping your jewels sparkly
Here’s the secret to falling in love all over again: clean your jewelry. It’s that simple. While it’s recommended that you take your most worn, favorite jewelry for a professional cleaning at a jeweler about 1-2 times a year, you can easily do maintenance at home to keep your jewels sparkling.
But before you set off on a Monica Geller cleaning binge, it’s essential to know what materials your jewelry is made with and how they should be cleaned appropriately. Not all jewelry is cleaned equally—heat, abrasion, and chemicals can all play a role in damaging your gems if not used correctly. If you’re unsure what metals and gemstones your jewelry is made of, consult a jeweler before developing a regular care routine.
Most fine jewelry is safe to clean with a mild detergent, a soft bristle toothbrush, and warm water. Read on to learn how you can confidently clean your jewelry at home.
Crafty Home Cleaning
#1: Toothbrush + Dish Soap
This is my go-to method for cleaning my engagement ring and everyday jewelry. It’s safe for most metals and gemstones and removes dirt that builds up over time.
Start by filling a small cup or bowl with enough lukewarm water to cover the pieces, and stir in a squirt of dish soap (I use Dawn). Let it sit for 20-30 minutes, and then use a clean, soft toothbrush (kid toothbrushes are perfect) to gently scrub around all the prongs, stones, and the underside of any stones to loosen debris and oil buildup. You can also use a toothpick to dislodge stubborn grime. Rinse your jewelry in warm water (make sure to cover the drain) and then dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Alternatively, you can use Dawn Power Wash to spray directly onto the jewelry and continue with the scrubbing and rinsing instructions above.
Harwell Godfrey “Sunburst” stud earrings, $750
#2: Tin Foil, Salt, Baking Soda + Boiling Water
Pomellato gold and diamond “Iconica” narrow ring, $5,900 at Tiny Jewel Box
I had to try this viral trend on TikTok. Cover a small bowl with aluminum foil, and add 1 TBSP salt, 1 TBSP baking soda, and 1 cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved, and then add jewelry. After 1-2 minutes, remove jewelry and buff away tarnish.
This method works great for precious metal jewelry, and it works faster to clean significantly tarnished silver pieces. Take caution if cleaning any gemstone pieces because boiling water is only safe for untreated diamonds.
#3: Good ‘ol Windex
Like the tin foil method, Windex is only suitable for precious metal jewelry or diamond jewelry. Still, just like windows, it can be very effective for making diamonds sparkle. Place jewelry in a small bowl and spray just enough Windex to ensure the piece is coated. Use a soft toothbrush to dislodge dirt and debris, rinse and dry.
Sorellina “L'Imperatrice” shield necklace, $4,400 at Petite G. Jewelers
Commercial Cleaners
Many commercial jewelry cleaning products are available at your local grocery store or Amazon, making for quick, convenient cleaning. Brands such as Connoisseurs, Hagardy, GemOro, and Brillant make various products. Some of these cleaners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, so be sure to read the label before purchasing and using on sensitive gemstones (and skin).
Ultrasonic Cleaners
Ultrasonic cleaners are small tabletop machines that use high-frequency sound waves transmitted through a liquid to dislodge dirt and debris from jewelry. The aggregate liquid solution used in the device can be a simple mixture of dish soap and water or a commercial jewelry cleaner. Small home models range from $30-$70. Ultrasonic cleaners are great for cleaning general dirt and grime from your jewelry but won’t remove any tarnish on metals. They can also damage certain gemstones and dislodge small stones, so avoid using them with delicate jewelry and soft stones like pearls, opals, and treated gemstones.
Magnasonic Professional Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner with Digital Timer, $39.99
Professional Cleanings
Most jewelry stores offer professional cleanings for free or at a low cost. A professional cleaning usually involves buffing and polishing out any scratches, a soak in an ultrasonic cleaner, and a high-pressure steam cleaning to make your jewelry look as if it were brand new. Most jewelers will also do a quick inspection to ensure no stones are missing or chipped, the stones aren’t loose, and the metal isn’t overly worn down on the prongs and shank. If your jewelry is white gold, you may opt to get your jewelry rhodium plated to renew the silvery-white finish.
Professional cleanings should be a part of your jewelry care routine but don’t overclean because every time the jewelry is buffed, it loses a small amount of metal. One or two professional cleanings annually with home cleanings in-between will keep your jewelry like new.
Editor: Samantha Durbin
Wordsmith: Sam Van deWalle
Every item featured is personally selected by our writers and editors (read: we're totally into it). Please know that when you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission (read: we get to keep doing what we love).
