A Guide To Jewelry Cleaning
Have you ever been to a jeweler and had your jewelry professionally cleaned? Many of our customers are surprised to find that their jewelry looks brand new after a good clean and polish!
While it’s not quite the same as having it done by professionals, there are many ways you can clean your jewelry at home! Here is everything you ever wanted to know about cleaning your fine jewelry at home.
What is Ultrasonic Cleaning?
Jewelry stores use ultrasonic cleaners to clean jewelry. Ultrasonic cleaners work by using high-frequency, high-intensity sound waves in liquid. The movement of the waves shakes out any dirt or grime on the surface or hiding in the crevices of your jewelry. Jewelers also used a special ultrasonic cleaning solution in these machines.
If you choose to purchase an ultrasonic cleaner, you can do ultrasonic cleaning at home. Be aware, though, that ultrasonics can knock out loose diamonds and gemstones, so your jewelry should be in good repair before cleaning. If you have any loose gems or broken prongs, bring your piece to a professional and let them repair and clean it for you.
How to Clean Gold Jewelry
You can clean gold jewelry at home using a specific jewelry cleaning solution sold at many major stores, like Walmart and Target. You can also find it on Amazon. Be sure that the cleaner you purchase specifically says it’s to be used for gold jewelry.
If you don’t have a jewelry cleaner at home, your best bet for cleaning your gold jewelry is to use warm water combined with a mild dish soap. Scrub (actually poke) your pieces with a soft brush, but beware of using anything too abrasive. After scrubbing, rinse in water. To avoid loss, we recommend rinsing your jewelry in a glass of water, rather than directly in your sink. If your piece has places that are hard to reach, you can try reaching in with a toothpick or unwaxed dental floss.
If you own jewelry with soft gems such as pearls or opals, you must be especially careful when cleaning them at home. (See our care guide below to see how to care for specific gemstones.)
How to Clean Diamond Jewelry
Diamonds are durable gemstones that are difficult to damage, which makes them safe to clean at home. It is safe to steam clean diamond jewelry and to put it in ultrasonic cleaners (but make sure your diamonds are all nice and tight first). You can also clean your diamond jewelry at home with soap and a soft brush.
How to Clean and Care for Gemstone Jewelry
Different varieties of gemstones have unique properties and therefore have unique care guidelines. Here is a guide to clean and care for the most popular gemstones.
Alexandrite: At home, alexandrites can be cleaned with soap and water. A few drops of ordinary dish detergent are usually plenty. Alexandrite jewelry can also be safely cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners. Alexandrites are relatively strong and withstand the effects of heat, light, and most common chemicals. Still, it’s best to avoid unnecessary exposure whenever possible.
Amethyst: Amethyst can be used in all types of jewelry but it should be worn with some care (to avoid scratching). You can safely clean your amethyst jewelry using warm soapy water or an ultrasonic cleaner. However, amethyst can be damaged by heat changes, so it’s best to avoid steam cleaning. Remove amethyst jewelry before cleaning, as it can be damaged by certain chemicals. Amethyst can also fade when subjected to bright lights for an extended period of time.
Aquamarine: Aquamarine is a durable gemstone, but take care to avoid scratching it or knocking it on hard surfaces. You should also keep aquamarine jewelry away from intense heat and hydrofluoric acid. Aquamarine jewelry is safe to clean in ultrasonic and steam cleaners. You can also clean it at home using warm, soapy water and a soft brush.
Citrine: Citrine jewelry is safe to clean in ultrasonic machines or with warm, soapy water. It’s best to keep your citrines away from heat though, so avoid steam cleaning and abrupt temperature changes. You should also use care when storing citrines and try to keep them away from other items that could scratch or damage them.
Emerald: To clean your emerald jewelry at home, it’s best to use warm, soapy water. You can gently scrub the emeralds with a soft brush. Be careful about what you expose your emerald jewelry to because it can be damaged by heat and chemicals.
Garnet: Garnet jewelry can be worn and enjoyed often but be careful to avoid hitting rings on hard surfaces. To clean garnet jewelry, use warm water and a soft brush. Most garnets can also be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. Steam cleaning is generally not recommended for garnet jewelry.
Malachite: Because malachite is a softer gem, it should be worn with care. It is very sensitive to heat, so it should be protected from extreme temperature changes. Malachite jewelry should also not be exposed to excessive sunlight or chemicals. It should not be steam cleaned or placed in ultrasonic cleaners. Malachite is best cleaned with a dry cloth.
Morganite: Morganite jewelry can be cleaned with warm, soapy water. Most Morganite jewelry can also be cleaned with ultrasonic and steam cleaners (unless the gems contain liquid inclusions). Take care not to expose Morganite jewelry to heat. It should also be protected from scratching and hard knocks.
Opal: Opals are one of the more delicate gemstones, so they should be handled with care. The best and safest way to clean an opal is with warm, soapy water. Opal is a mostly stable gemstone, but try to avoid exposing your opal jewelry to high heat or sudden temperature changes, as it may fracture.
Pearl: Pearls are susceptible to damage from many everyday substances like hairspray, lotion, and perfume. When wearing pearls, you should follow the “last on, first off” rule, which means that pearls should be the last item you put on when getting dressed and the first thing off when undressing. By following this rule, you reduce the chances of exposing your pearls to anything that could harm them. You can use warm water and a new, soft makeup brush to gently clean pearl jewelry at home.
Peridot: It is safest to use warm, soapy water to clean peridot jewelry. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning is generally not recommended for peridots, as sudden temperature changes can cause peridots to fracture. Peridot is durable, so it can be worn often. Try to avoid hitting it on anything, however, or you risk scratching it.
Ruby: Caring for your ruby jewelry depends on a few different factors. It’s always safe to use warm soapy water and a soft brush. It is usually safe to use ultrasonic and steam cleaners for rubies, as long as they are not fracture-filled or cavity-filled. If you’re not sure if your rubies are fracture or cavity-filled, it’s best to see a professional jeweler for cleaning.
Sapphire: Sapphires are a durable, stable gemstone, so they typically don’t need special care. Ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners are both generally safe to use on sapphire jewelry. You can also use warm, soapy water to clean your sapphire jewelry at home. Sapphires are resistant to most of the effects of heat, light, and common chemicals that can easily damage other gemstones.
Tanzanite: Tanzanite should be treated with care, although it is resistant to regular temperature changes and the most common chemicals. However, sudden, drastic temperature changes can crack tanzanite gemstones. Tanzanite can also abrade easily, so it should be worn with care. If set in a ring, most jewelers do not recommend that tanzanite is worn daily. Tanzanite set in pendant or earrings can be worn daily. It is best to clean tanzanite jewelry with warm, soapy water and to avoid using ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
Tourmaline: Tourmaline is a stable gemstone, which means that it is generally not damaged by chemicals. However, take care not to expose your tourmaline jewelry to heat, which can alter its color and cause fracturing. You can clean your tourmaline jewelry with warm water and soap. It is generally not recommended to clean tourmalines with ultrasonic or steam cleaning machines.
Zircon: Zircon is considered a relatively durable and stable gemstone, which means that they are usually unaltered by chemicals or light. However, prolonged exposure to light or heat can alter the color of some zircons. To clean zircon, use warm water and a soft brush. It is generally recommended not to use ultrasonic or steam cleaners on zircon jewelry.
How to Clean Silver Jewelry
If you own silver jewelry, you’ve probably noticed that it can lose its luster and tarnish over time. Tarnish happens as a result of silver jewelry being exposed to oxygen and sulfur particles in the air.
If you notice that your silver jewelry is tarnishing, you can use a polishing cloth to easily shine it back up. There are cloths specifically designed for silver items that you can purchase online. You can also bring your items into a fine jewelry store and have us do it for you.
Silver jewelry can also be cleaned using a liquid cleaner specifically made for silver. Be careful with these cleaners though and be sure to read the entire label before submerging your jewelry. In most cases, these cleaners are only safe for jewelry with no gemstones or diamonds.
If your silver jewelry has any type of plating on it, these cleaners might remove it, so proceed with caution. If you’re unsure if your silver jewelry is plated, it’s best to take it to a professional to have it cleaned rather than attempting it yourself. If you damage your silver jewelry in a liquid cleaner, it may not be able to be repaired.
Keeping Jewelry Safe from Damage
We know that you buy jewelry to wear, and we believe you should be able to wear and enjoy it as often as you like. There are certain times, though, when it is safest to remove your jewelry. Examples of times when you should consider removing your jewelry include when you are swimming, gardening, cooking, cleaning, or moving heavy objects.
As always, it is important to make sure that your jewelry is not exposed to anything that could damage it. Gold, silver, and gemstones can all be damaged when exposed to chemicals, such as chlorine or some other household cleaners. Many gemstones can also be harmed when subjected to extreme heat and sudden temperature changes. (See above for specific gemstone guidelines.)
Pearls, in particular, are very susceptible to damage from many everyday substances like hairspray, lotion, and perfume. If you wear pearls regularly, you probably already know the “last on, first off” rule, which means that pearls should be the last item you put on when getting dressed and the first thing off when undressing. Following this rule reduces the risk of exposing your pearls to anything that could harm them.
Storing Your Jewelry Safely
While you’re at it, this might be the perfect time to ensure that you’re storing your jewelry in a safe way. Avoid leaving jewelry around on tables or countertops – that’s a surefire way to end up with a loss.
Instead, keep all your jewelry in a secure place, preferably in a jewelry box with dividers. Built-in dividers ensure that your treasures can’t damage one another. For example, many jewelry boxes include padded slots for rings, which is ideal.
To prevent tarnishing, it’s best to minimize exposure to air and light when storing sterling silver. Ideally, silver should be stored in anti-tarnish bags. If you don’t have anti-tarnish bags available, you can also use small plastic bags.
Stop into Koser Jewelers!
While cleaning your jewelry at home is great, nothing beats a cleaning from a professional jewelry! (It’s like the difference between brushing your teeth at home and going to the dentist!) Jewelry cleaning is always free, so stop in anytime to have your jewelry cleaned and checked by our jewelry professionals.
If you have any questions about jewelry cleaning or our repair services, give us a call at 717-653-4941.
