How to Clean Jewelry: Best At-Home DIY and Professional Methods

Keeping your jewelry sparkling doesn’t have to be a challenge. If you’ve been wondering how to clean jewelry effectively at home, we have the best remedies for you. However, for certain pieces, professional cleaning is always the safest option. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your diamonds, gold, and other precious stones in top condition.

Best At-Home Jewelry Cleaning Methods

Our favorite remedy for cleaning diamonds and gold at home is simple yet effective. Just follow these steps:

  1.  Boil hot water.

  2.  Add a little dishwashing liquid.

  3.  Drop your jewelry into the water and let it sit for about 30 minutes.

  4.  Use gloves to remove the jewelry.

  5.  Once the water cools down, gently brush the stones inside and out with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

This method effectively removes oil from handprints and lotions, keeping your jewelry clean and fresh. However, it’s a temporary solution—professional cleaning is recommended for long-term care.

Another fun way to clean your jewelry is by using the steam function on a coffee machine, like a Nespresso. The steamer works beautifully on diamonds and other stones. For the best results, use this method after cleaning with dishwashing liquid. Be careful, though—the steam is extremely hot, so use something gentle that won’t scratch the metal.

Jewelry That Should Never Be Cleaned at Home

Not all jewelry can be cleaned with water or soap. Some stones are too delicate and require special care:

  • Alexandrite: This rare gemstone should never be cleaned at home. Water and cleaning solutions can damage its quality. Instead, simply wipe it down with a soft cloth and avoid getting it wet.

  • Turquoise: There is no proper at-home method for cleaning turquoise. Since it’s a soft stone, only a gentle wipe-down will do.

  • Moonstone: As a semi-precious stone, moonstone is highly sensitive to liquids. Use a dry cloth or take it to a professional jeweler for safe cleaning.

How to Clean Silver Jewelry

Many people use at-home silver cleaning kits, but we don’t recommend them. The liquid solutions can be messy and may damage your stones or tarnish the metal further. Instead:

  • Use a silver polishing cloth with silver polishing paste (available online or in stores) for a beautiful shine.

  • If your silver jewelry has many crevices, take it to a professional jeweler who can use a tumbler or polishing machine for a deep clean.

Should You Invest in At-Home Jewelry Cleaning Machines?

We don’t believe at-home cleaning machines are a worthwhile investment. While you can find highly-rated options online, they don’t compare to professional cleaning. A jeweler can restore your jewelry to its original showroom condition, including:

  • Polishing to a lustrous finish

  • Fresh platinum plating for gold-plated jewelry

  • Checking and tightening prongs to secure stones

Gold-plated jewelry, in particular, may not be dirty—it may simply need a fresh coat of plating. Depending on wear and exposure to sweat, lotion, or perfume, gold plating can fade in as little as six months to a year. In such cases, electroplating—a process that applies 10-20 layers of gold—can restore its brilliance. Though costly, it’s an excellent way to extend the life of sentimental pieces.

When to Bring Jewelry to a Professional

For engagement rings, wedding rings, and valuable diamonds, we recommend professional cleaning every six months to a year. In addition to cleaning, jewelers will:

  • Check the prongs to prevent stone loss

  • Tighten loose settings

  • Offer fresh platinum or gold plating

By combining at-home cleaning methods with regular professional maintenance, you can ensure your jewelry remains stunning for years to come. Have a piece that needs extra care? Don’t hesitate to visit your local jeweler for expert cleaning and restoration!

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