We all want to keep our jewelry looking shiny and new, but not every cleaning method is suitable for every material. So which one works best for your jewelry?
Polishing Cloths
Perfect to give a quick shine to any piece without stones and jewelry with non-porous stones. If you’re cleaning jewelry with porous stones like pearls, turquoise, and opals, it’s better to use the polish cloth ONLY on the metal part.
A Damp Soft Cloth
The tried and true method for cleaning jewelry with soft, porous stones. Opal and pearls should not be subject to any chemicals, as they can absorb them and it can dull their shine. Emeralds are usually treated with oils, so dish soap can remove this and leave them looking dull as well.
Dish Soap and Water
Sometimes the basics are the best, one or two drops of mild dish soap and warm water works to clean gunk off of most jewelry with non-porous stones. For stubborn dirt, you can soak your jewelry overnight. You can use a soft toothbrush and gentle strokes to clean the gems and metals. Always remember to wipe your jewelry down with a soft cloth or risk leaving spots.
Ultrasonic Cleaners
Great for hard, non-porous stones and plain metal jewelry. Best to avoid for softer stones and porous stones, as the sound waves and liquid can cause damage.
Steam Cleaning
Steam can be very hot and can cause damage to some jewelry. Reserve steam cleaning for jewelry made from precious metals and containing only durable, hard, non-porous gems like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.
Liquid Cleaners
While there are a lot of different commercially available liquid jewelry cleaners, we don’t recommend using these. Most don't disclose the ingredients, and the chemicals may be too harsh for certain types of jewelry. Over time, some of those chemicals may cause discoloration, scratching, or other damage to your pieces.
Professional Cleaning
If you’ve got stubborn dirt or your jewelry has dulled with time, taking it to a professional jeweler for a cleaning is always an option. Automic Gold offers cleaning services in our studio, in person by booking an appointment, or you can contact us to arrange shipping.
