How To Clean Your Jewelry At Home

Learn how to clean gold, silver, and costume jewelry with our step-by-step guide.

However you come upon a favorite piece, an inheritance, a gift, or a moment of discovery in a beloved shop, your jewelry is precious. Some pieces may see everyday wear, while others are reserved for special occasions. However often they're adorned, your jewelry will last longer and retain its quality if it's properly cared for. It's generally considered good practice to clean your most worn jewelry once a quarter. However, different precious metals, gemstones, and styles require different methods of cleaning. So, where to start? Here's what you should know about cleaning your jewelry.

Related: The Old-School Trick For Keeping Your Necklace In Place On Your Neck

Before You Begin

The first step is to ensure you know what you're dealing with: is your piece solid metal? Plated? Faux? Getting clear about your piece will help you take the best care of it. If you're unsure, it's best to consult a professional jeweler before you begin cleaning.

Another important consideration is the condition of your piece. If, for example, you're eager to clean a ring with a gemstone, but notice the setting is loose, it's time to take it to a professional. Only proceed when you're sure your jewelry is safe to tackle yourself.

What You'll Need:

• Mild dish soap, like Dawn

• Two bowls filled with warm water

• A soft-bristled brush

• A clean, lint-free cloth

• Ammonia (for certain types of jewelry covered below)

How To Clean Solid Precious Metals Or Soft Gemstones

Gemstones with a softer surface are referred to as "soft" gemstones. These gemstones are scratched and damaged more easily, which means they require a gentler cleaning method. It's a safe bet that your gemstone is classified as "soft" unless it's a diamond, ruby, or sapphire. If you're unsure, always consult a professional jeweler.

1. Prepare a cleaning solution in one bowl by mixing a few drops of dish soap into warm water.

2. Place your jewelry into the bowl with the soapy solution and let it soak for a few minutes, allowing the suds to work away at any oils and dirt.

3. After soaking for a few minutes, gently scrub the jewelry with a soft-bristled brush to remove any more stubborn grime. You can also gently rub the jewelry clean with a soapy cloth.

4. Dunk the jewelry into your second bowl to remove soap residue. Gently swish around until you've removed the majority of the soap, running under the tap to finish the job if needed.

5. Pat dry the jewelry with a clean, lint-free cloth
   

How To Clean Costume Jewelry

Costume jewelry refers to pieces that are made of inexpensive materials, like glass, base metals, plastic, or synthetic stones. Though not as precious as other materials, they still need to be handed with care when cleaning.

1. Mix water and a drop of mild dish soap into one of the bowls. Take care not to overdo it with dish soap for faux jewelry; using too much soap can create a film on synthetic pieces.

2. Rather than letting the pieces soak, dip a cloth in the soapy solution and gently clean your costume jewelry. Faux jewelry shouldn't be left in water since non-metal often begins to break down if it's left near moisture for too long (anyone who's been to the beach with a fake copper piece knows this well!).

3. Rinse the jewelry under running water (again, no soaking for costume jewels) and pat dry with a clean cloth.
   

How To Clean Tarnished Solid Metal Pieces And Hard Gemstones

"Hard" gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, or those with surfaces more impervious to scratches, can stand up to ammonia cleaning every so often. However, don't use ammonia in every cleaning as it can become damaging if used too frequently.

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, 1 cup of warm water, and 1/2 teaspoon of ammonia in a bowl.

2. Dip the jewelry in the solution and use a soft-bristled brush to clean it gently, taking special care around the gemstone itself (if there is one).

3. Rinse the jewelry under running water to remove any residue. Alternatively, you can dip and swish into a second bowl of clean, warm water.

4. Pat dry the jewelry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Related: 6 Ways To Tell If Pearls Are Real, According To Experts

When To Use An Ultrasonic Cleaner

You can use an ultrasonic cleaner on most types of jewelry for an effective clean. The exceptions are coated or treated pieces, like coated pearls, opals, cubic zirconia, or any jewelry whose gemstone is glued rather than affixed with prongs. Using an ultrasonic cleaner on those pieces can result in discoloration, gemstone displacement, and irreparable damage.

Jewelry Cleaning Tips

Close the Drain

It may seem obvious, but anyone who's felt the panic of watching a treasured piece spiral toward an open drain knows this to be true: soapy jewelry has a tendency to slip right out of your hands. For this reason, we recommend using the two bowl method to swish your soapy jewelry in clean water, rather than running it under a tap. Of course, you can always opt to rinse your jewelry – just make sure the drain is closed (or, as a last resort, that the basin you're using is fitted with a p-trap that will catch any pieces on the run!).

Avoid Toothpaste and Baking Soda

Except for using a few drops of ammonia every year or so, abrasives are not a good idea to use on jewelry. Toothpaste or baking soda can scratch soft gemstones and remove layers of metal, especially if your piece is plated rather than solid. If you need to remove scratches, go for a buffing cloth, but ensure your piece is solid metal before beginning.

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