How to Clean Jewelry
Jewelry Cleaning Guide
Your jewelry goes everywhere you go. Lotion, soap, and everyday life slowly build up behind the stones and dull the shine, so the diamond that used to light up a room starts to look cloudy. The good news: a few minutes at the sink brings most of that sparkle right back.
Here is how to clean gold, platinum, diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and colored gemstones safely at home, and when it is time to bring a piece in to us for a professional cleaning.
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How to Clean Jewelry at Home
You do not need anything fancy. Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen:
• A small bowl of warm (not hot) water
• A drop of mild dish soap
• A soft baby toothbrush
• A soft, lint-free cloth to dry and buff
Skip the toothpaste, bleach, baking soda, and paper towels. They can scratch gold and wear down the finish over time.
Visit Us for a Free CleaningHow Often Should You Clean Jewelry?
If you wear a piece every day, like an engagement ring, a wedding band, or your everyday studs, give it a quick clean every two weeks. Special-occasion pieces only need a clean after you wear them.
At least once a year, bring your jewelry in for a professional cleaning and inspection. Our jewelers will check every prong and setting so a loose stone gets caught before it gets lost. Stop by the store at 44 W 47th Street in New York.
How to Clean Gold & Platinum Jewelry
Yellow, white, and rose gold and platinum all clean the same way:
- Soak the piece in warm, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen everyday buildup.
- Gently brush it with the soft toothbrush, paying attention to the inside of rings and the links of chains.
- Rinse under warm running water. Close the sink drain first.
- Pat dry and buff with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Store each piece on its own in a fabric-lined box or pouch so harder pieces do not scratch softer ones.
How to Clean Diamond & Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry
Natural and lab-grown diamonds are the same material, so they clean exactly the same way. Diamonds attract oil, which is what makes them look cloudy. Three simple steps bring the fire back:
- Soak the piece in warm, soapy water for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Brush gently under the stone, where the light comes in. That is where most of the buildup hides.
- Rinse, then dry with a lint-free cloth.
Go easy around prongs and pavé settings. If a stone moves or a prong catches on the cloth, stop and bring the piece in so our jewelers can tighten it.
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How to Clean Colored Gemstones
Rubies and sapphires are some of the hardest gemstones there are, so they can be cleaned just like your diamonds: warm soapy water, a soft brush, rinse, and dry.
Emeralds need a gentler touch. Most emeralds have tiny natural inclusions that are filled with oil, and soaking or heat can draw it out. To clean an emerald:
- Wipe it with a soft cloth dampened in lukewarm, slightly soapy water.
- Wipe again with a cloth dampened in plain water.
- Pat dry. Never soak, steam, or use an ultrasonic cleaner.
Not sure what stone you have? Bring it in and we will tell you, and clean it the right way.
Jewelry Cleaning FAQs
How do I care for my jewelry day to day?
Put your jewelry on last, after lotion, perfume, and hairspray, and take it off first. Remove it before the gym, the pool, cleaning, or anything with harsh chemicals. At night, store each piece on its own in a fabric-lined box or pouch.
Why does my gold jewelry look dull?
Usually it is just a thin film of soap, lotion, and skin oils. A soak in warm soapy water and a buff with a soft cloth will bring the shine back. White gold can also slowly lose its bright rhodium coating with wear, and a professional re-plating restores it.
Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner at home?
We recommend against it without professional guidance. Ultrasonic cleaners can shake loose stones in their settings and can damage emeralds and other treated gemstones. Warm soapy water and a soft brush are safe for almost everything.
How do I know if a prong is loose?
Hold the piece close to your ear and gently tap it. A rattle means a stone is loose. You can also run a soft cloth over the setting: if it snags, a prong may be lifted. Either way, stop wearing it and bring it in so our jewelers can check it.
Do you clean jewelry I didn't buy from you?
Yes. Stop by the store at 44 W 47th Street in New York and we will clean and inspect it while you wait.
Bring It In. We'll Make It Sparkle.
We have been a family-run jeweler in New York's Diamond District since 1986. Stop by for a free cleaning and a quick check of your settings.
44 West 47th Street, GF6, New York, NY 10036
Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM · Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
