How to Clean Your Jewelry, According to Jewelers

How to clean your jewelry

If your jewelry looks dull or dirty, it’s time to clean it at home. But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to jewelry: How you clean your pieces depends on the type of items you own. Specifically, the type of metal your jewelry is made from makes a difference in how dirty it gets and how you should clean it. Here is an easy-to-follow analysis from our experts:

• Solid gold: “This metal does not tarnish and all you need to clean it is water and a mild dish soap,” says Parsons. Although gold is durable, Cooke and Parsons warn you to be careful. “Use a very soft toothbrush to gently clean your piece with soap, then rinse it with water and dry it.”
• Money: Unlike gold, silver tarnishes – this means it will appear visibly dull or have a layer of dirt embedded in it through oxidation. For this reason, you need to use silver polish and a cloth to polish it and make it shine again, says Parsons.
• Gold or silver plated: This type of jewelry is an inexpensive metal base covered with a thin layer of silver or gold. You can use the same approach for gold as you do for gold plated items and the same technique for silver plated as you do for silver. The only difference? Since this jewelry is not solid silver or gold, it can more easily chip the plating. To avoid this, avoid overcleaning or using abrasive products or cloths, says Cooke.
• Diamonds and other precious stones: It is best to consult a jeweler before cleaning any gemstone, as different types require different care. It’s generally safe to soak diamonds in warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap for five to 10 minutes before rinsing them, Cooke says. However, more porous stones like opals and pearls should not be submerged.

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How to Avoid Damaging Your Jewelry When Cleaning

The tips above will help make cleaning your jewelry at home as foolproof as possible. In addition to following these basic cleaning principles, our experts agreed that there are a few tips you can use to avoid potential damage. Check them out below:

• Avoid aggressive materials: Tattered clothes, chemical-laden cleaners, stiff toothbrushes? It’s best to avoid these items, as they can damage or scratch your jewelry, says Parsons. You can count on mild dish soap and water to clean most of your jewelry except silver. And if you’re using a toothbrush to scrub, make sure it’s soft-bristled, Parsons adds.
• Be very careful around stones: Stone settings and finer areas—like near a clasp—and be very delicate, so be extra careful around those parts, says Parsons. And if you have a loose or chipped stone, it’s best to leave it to a jeweler to clean it. Or, better yet, have your part repaired first.
• If in doubt, call a professional: Speaking of pros, if you don’t know how to clean a piece, you should take it to a jeweler to have it cleaned. Porous stones like opals, pearls, lapis and emeralds are sensitive to heat, water and certain chemicals and can be easily damaged, says Parsons. A professional can clean them carefully to prevent anything from happening to these stones.
• Avoid unconventional cleaners: Maybe you’ve heard that ketchup or toothpaste are good jewelry cleaners. “It is thought that the slight acidity of ketchup can remove buildup or tarnishing from silverware,” says Cooke. Likewise, toothpaste is believed to have a slightly abrasive consistency to remove dirt. But Cooke says it’s safer to avoid them, because they can scratch or damage metals and gemstones.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Julia Parsons is the CEO and Founder of Incredible Rising, a women’s jewelry brand celebrating milestones of success.
• Mike Cooke is the founder of Sterling Forever, a jewelry brand offering elegant and trendy pieces.

Why trust NBC Select?

Bethany Heitman is an NBC Select contributor and reporter who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed experts on how to clean your jewelry.