Most gold, platinum and diamond jewelry cleans safely with warm water, a few drops of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush, followed by a rinse and a dry with a lint-free cloth. Clean sterling silver with a silver polishing cloth. Treat pearls, opals, emeralds and other soft or porous stones gently: wipe them with a damp cloth only. Avoid toothpaste, baking soda and bleach, and skip ultrasonic cleaners for fragile stones.
Lotion, soap and everyday dirt dull jewelry quickly, especially diamonds. Cleaning at home takes five minutes with things you already have. The right method depends on the metal and the stone.
Gold, platinum and diamonds
- Mix warm (not hot) water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
- Soak the jewelry for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, especially behind stones where grime collects.
- Rinse in clean warm water (close the sink drain first).
- Dry with a lint-free cloth.
This also works for sapphires and rubies, which are hard and durable.
Sterling silver
Silver tarnishes when it reacts with sulfur in the air.
- Light tarnish: rub with a silver polishing cloth.
- Heavier tarnish: wash with mild soapy water, dry thoroughly, then polish.
- Prevent tarnish: store silver in an airtight bag or anti-tarnish pouch, and wear it often, since regular wear slows tarnishing.
Pearls and soft stones
Pearls, opals, turquoise, emeralds and many organic or treated stones are soft or porous.
- Wipe them with a soft cloth dampened with water after wearing.
- Don’t soak them or use cleaners.
- Put pearls on last, after perfume and hairspray, and restring pearl necklaces every few years.
Plated and vermeil jewelry
Wipe gently with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth. Scrubbing and chemicals wear through the plating.
What to avoid
- Toothpaste and baking soda: abrasive and can scratch.
- Bleach and chlorine: can damage gold alloys over time.
- Ultrasonic and steam cleaners for pearls, opals, emeralds, treated stones and anything with loose stones.
- Paper towels and tissues: their fibers can scratch.
When to see a jeweler
Get a professional clean and check once or twice a year for rings you wear daily. A jeweler can steam clean, re-polish, re-plate white gold and, most importantly, check that prongs are still holding stones securely.
Common questions
Can I clean jewelry with toothpaste?
It is best not to. Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch gold, silver and softer gemstones. Mild dish soap and a soft brush clean just as well without the risk.
How often should I clean my rings?
A quick soak and brush every week or two keeps everyday rings sparkling. Have a jeweler check prongs and settings once or twice a year.
Are ultrasonic cleaners safe for jewelry?
They are safe for solid gold, platinum and diamonds in secure settings, but they can damage pearls, opals, emeralds, treated stones and loose settings.