Cleaning Your Jewelry
Is your gold jewelry losing its shine? Are your diamonds not as brilliant as before? Daily activities like applying lotions, using household cleaners, and even improper storage can diminish their sparkle. Regular wear also plays a role in this dullness.
But don’t worry! With the right jewelry cleaning techniques, you can effortlessly restore their brilliance.
We’ve tested expert-recommended methods—along with some popular DIY tricks—to find out what truly works. Whether you want to preserve a cherished heirloom, keep your diamond engagement ring dazzling, or simply refresh your everyday pieces, our guide will help you clean, store, and maintain your jewelry for lasting shine.
But don’t worry! With the right jewelry cleaning techniques, you can effortlessly restore their brilliance.
We’ve tested expert-recommended methods—along with some popular DIY tricks—to find out what truly works. Whether you want to preserve a cherished heirloom, keep your diamond engagement ring dazzling, or simply refresh your everyday pieces, our guide will help you clean, store, and maintain your jewelry for lasting shine.
Simple & Effective Jewelry Cleaning Methods
Dish Soap & Warm Water
Most types of jewelry can be safely cleaned with a simple solution of mild dish soap and lukewarm water.
To clean your jewelry, mix a drop of dish soap with warm water in a bowl and let the piece soak for a few minutes to dissolve oils and buildup. Gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush, paying extra attention to pronged settings by brushing from multiple angles to reach hidden crevices. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid tissues or paper towels, as they may leave behind lint or cause scratches.
To clean your jewelry, mix a drop of dish soap with warm water in a bowl and let the piece soak for a few minutes to dissolve oils and buildup. Gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush, paying extra attention to pronged settings by brushing from multiple angles to reach hidden crevices. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid tissues or paper towels, as they may leave behind lint or cause scratches.
Gold Plated Pieces
For Gold Plated and Vermeil Jewelry: Use a non-abrasive cellulose sponge instead of a toothbrush to prevent wear on the plating. Avoid excessive scrubbing, as it may cause the plating to fade.
Handling Tarnished Silver and Brass: If your silver or brass jewelry has significant tarnish, dish soap alone may not be enough. Use a specialized polishing cloth for sterling silver or brass to gently remove tarnish and restore its shine.
Gold Purity Stamps: Solid gold is typically marked with its karat value, whereas vermeil jewelry will bear a sterling silver stamp.
Handling Tarnished Silver and Brass: If your silver or brass jewelry has significant tarnish, dish soap alone may not be enough. Use a specialized polishing cloth for sterling silver or brass to gently remove tarnish and restore its shine.
Gold Purity Stamps: Solid gold is typically marked with its karat value, whereas vermeil jewelry will bear a sterling silver stamp.
DIY Cleaners
For gold-plated and vermeil jewelry, opt for a non-abrasive cellulose sponge instead of a toothbrush, as excessive scrubbing can wear down the plating. Surprisingly, ketchup’s mild acidity is effective in removing tarnish from brass jewelry. Simply submerge the piece in ketchup for up to an hour, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
Toothpaste, though useful for cleaning silver jewelry, should be used with caution due to its abrasive nature. To avoid scratches, choose a low-abrasion, solid-color toothpaste without whitening or tartar-control agents. Apply a thin layer to the jewelry, gently rub it in using a cellulose sponge or microfiber cloth, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly and polish with a clean cloth.
Tackling Tarnish on Silver and Brass
For heavily tarnished silver or brass, dish soap alone may not be enough. Instead, use a polishing cloth designed for sterling silver or brass to effectively buff away tarnish.
Identifying Gold and Vermeil Jewelry
Solid gold pieces are typically stamped with their karat value, while vermeil jewelry carries a sterling silver stamp.
Toothpaste, though useful for cleaning silver jewelry, should be used with caution due to its abrasive nature. To avoid scratches, choose a low-abrasion, solid-color toothpaste without whitening or tartar-control agents. Apply a thin layer to the jewelry, gently rub it in using a cellulose sponge or microfiber cloth, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly and polish with a clean cloth.
Tackling Tarnish on Silver and Brass
For heavily tarnished silver or brass, dish soap alone may not be enough. Instead, use a polishing cloth designed for sterling silver or brass to effectively buff away tarnish.
Identifying Gold and Vermeil Jewelry
Solid gold pieces are typically stamped with their karat value, while vermeil jewelry carries a sterling silver stamp.
Store Your Jewelry the Right Way
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Just as the sun's rays can harm our skin, they can also affect gemstones. Some, like amethyst, are especially sensitive to light and may lose their rich color with prolonged UV exposure. Gemstones that have been treated or dyed are also vulnerable to fading in sunlight. Additionally, the sun’s heat can impact certain stones—opals, for instance, may develop cracks or even shatter due to a phenomenon called crazing when exposed to high temperatures.
Mind the Moisture
Different materials require specific humidity levels for proper care. Sterling silver tarnishes more quickly in humid conditions, so it's best to store it in a sealed plastic bag with charcoal or silica packets to absorb excess moisture. On the other hand, pearls and opals need some moisture to stay in good condition. Storing them in excessively dry environments, like a safety deposit box, can cause them to dry out and crack.
Store Pieces Separately
To avoid scratches and damage, store each piece of jewelry separately in clear plastic bags. This is especially important for delicate materials like sterling silver, opal, lapis, and pearls. Pearls, in particular, should not be hung alongside other necklaces, as movement may cause them to collide. Instead, arrange them in a gentle, coiled formation and lay them flat to maintain their condition and longevity.
Prevent Tangling
A common problem with necklace chains is tangling. To prevent this, try using small jewelry zip bags or even a regular sandwich bag. Simply clasp the necklace and leave the top part sticking out of the sealed bag. This method helps keep the chain from knotting by preventing it from intertwining with itself.