How to Clean your Jewelry like a Professional – 12 Tips

Taking good care of your jewelry is important to keep it looking shiny and new. Cleaning jewelry regularly removes built-up dirt, oil, and grime that can dull its shine. While you can always take your precious pieces to a professional jeweler for cleaning, learning how to clean jewelry yourself is cost-effective, and convenient and ensures your pieces are handled with care. Follow these 12 professional tips on how to properly clean your jewelry at home:

12 Professional Tips on How to Properly Clean Your Jewelry

1. Know Your Jewels

The first rule of thumb is knowing what jewelery you have. Various gems and metals require different cleaning methods and solutions to prevent damage. For example, porous gems like pearls, opal and turquoise tend to absorb liquids and chemicals easily so they require only light dusting. Meanwhile, tough diamonds and metals like platinum can withstand moderate scrubbing. Identifying jewelry materials is key.

2. Rinse With Water First

Before using cleaning solutions, rinse pieces gently under lukewarm water to remove surface dirt and grime. This prevents scratches and loose debris that could potentially harm soft gem surfaces when scrubbing later on. According to professional jewelers, a thorough rinse can remove up to 80% of built-up gunk.

3. Invest in a Jewelry Cleaning Kit

While water and mild soap work for some pieces, having the right jewelry cleaning kit suitable for different metals and stones saves time and effort. These pre-packaged kits include a variety of specialized cleaning solutions, polishing cloths, soft brushes, etc. Opt for biodegradable, non-toxic products free from harsh chemicals too.

4. Use Gentle Brush Scrubbing

For jewelry with engraved designs or crevices prone to grime build-up, use soft bristle brushes and gentle scrubbing motions when cleaning. Hard scrubbing risks damaging fragile material and losing pave/prong set gems. Be extra gentle around thin edges and pointed areas.

5. Ultrasonic Cleaners are Game Changers

Professional jewelers praise ultrasonic cleaning machines that use high-frequency sound waves to deeply clean filthy jewelry. They efficiently yet gently scrub pieces submerged in water/cleaning solutions. Pricier ultrasonic machines even allow regulating timers, temperatures, and solution mixes for a customized clean.

6. Be Wary of DIY Chemical Dips

While commercial chemical dips efficiently dissolve dirt and tarnish, exercise caution with harsh acid-based homemade mixes as these can damage jewelry if left too long. Unless you know the proper diluting ratios, stick to gentler store-bought solutions. Ammonia and bleach are also strict no-no’s.

7. Clean Jewelry Over a Soft Towel

Always place a folded towel or soft cloth on your working surface before scrubbing clean gemstones and metals. This protects delicate chains, crystals and thin metal sections from pressure damage if accidentally dropped during the cleaning process. The cushioned surface helps keep your cherished jewelry safe.

8. Follow Solution Instructions

When using liquid jewelry cleaners, carefully read the manufacturer’s label first. Some solutions require shaking the bottle well before each use while others necessitate dilution with water first. Pay attention to how long pieces should soak as well. This avoids haphazard guessing games for newbies.

9. Dry Properly Afterward

Once cleaned, dry pieces thoroughly with a soft microfiber cloth to prevent water spots and mineral residue build-up over time. For crevices that are hard to reach, use a can of compressed air to blow out lingering moisture. Allow certain materials like pearls to air dry fully instead to minimize damage.

10. Polish Loose Stones and Metals

After scrubbing and drying each jewelry piece, inspect loose gemstones and metals closely under good lighting. Use a professional polishing cloth to gently buff away any fine scratches or leftover dirt still visible. This returns pieces to their original brilliant shine.

11. Store Properly in Separate Compartments

Keep rings, chains, bracelets etc in compartmentalized jewelry boxes after cleaning rather than heaped together in a pile. Separating pieces protects softer gems from incurring surface nicks and harder metals from abrasions during storage. It also minimizes chances of tangling delicate chains.

12. Bring Trickier Pieces to a Jeweler

Some jewelry like elaborate statement necklaces or vintage pieces with fragile mechanisms may require professional steam cleaning methods. If unsure about DIY cleaning complicated, sentimental or expensive jewelry yourself, be safe and bring it straight to your trusted local jeweler instead.

Bottom Line

Learning how to clean different jewelry correctly using various tools/solutions helps maintain their condition and extends their lifespan significantly. While DIY cleaning simpler modern pieces at home periodically saves money, vintage or highly valuable jewelry may require professional expertise. When in doubt, consult your neighborhood friendly jeweler first.

Follow these tips and tricks above to clean various jewelry types safely like the pros! Over time and regular use, dirt and grime accumulation is inevitable so aim to clean pieces every few months. With proper care and storage, your beloved jewelry will last generations. Dazzle on!

Some additional facts and statistics on jewelry cleaning:

• A 2021 survey reveals 3 in 5 people have no idea how to clean their jewelry properly at home.
• Jewelry worn daily like rings and chains need cleaning every 2-3 months. More occasional-use pieces can be cleaned every 6-12 months.
• According to jewelry craftsmen, rubies, emeralds and sapphires best withstand cleaning baths compared to softer pearls or opal which require gentler wipe downs.
• Platinum, titanium and silver metals are more tarnish-resistant compared to copper-based brass, bronze and nickel alloys which oxidize quicker.
• Jewelry appraisers recommend keeping cleaning documents for valuable antique or customized pieces to preserve monetary worth.