How to Clean Your Jewelry

Tips For Jewelry Cleaning and Care

In addition to repairs, we offer jewelry cleaning. We recommend bringing in your frequently worn jewelry (particularly engagement rings and wedding bands) once every six months for a complimentary jewelry cleaning.

Before the cleaning, we will carefully inspect your jewelry for any signs of wear. If everything is in good condition, we’ll then clean your pieces with the aid of a jewelry steam cleaner and ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to restore them to their original shine. 

What Types Of Jewelry Can I Clean At Home?

Certain types of jewelry can be safely cleaned at home, while others are best left in the hands of professional jewelers. The following types of jewelry are usually okay to clean at home: 

• Jewelry with hard gemstones ( including diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, and garnet). These gems can stand up to the typical soft cloth or soft bristled brush.
• Engagement rings, as long as they contain diamonds or other hard stones. Non-traditional engagement rings with soft stones, like opal, should be cleaned professionally.
• Wedding bands.
• Gold, silver and platinum jewelry.

Some types of jewelry require special attention. These should ideally be brought to your local jeweler for a safe and effective cleaning:

• Jewelry with soft gemstones (including opal, jade, onyx and pearls). Brushes, cloths and other materials may be too rough for the surfaces of these delicate stones.
• Jewelry with very fine wires or intricate detailing. These pieces are more at risk of breaking during cleaning if not properly handled.
• Jewelry with cracks, loose stones or other maintenance needs. You will risk causing further damage to the piece.

When Should I Get My Jewelry Professionally Cleaned?

While you can perform regular cleanings on your jewelry at home, it will need a deep clean every once in a while to keep it shiny and sparkling. Bringing your pieces to a jeweler also gives the jeweler a chance to check them for any wear-and-tear (because the sooner you get damaged jewelry repaired, the better).

We recommend bringing your pieces in for a professional jewelry cleaning every 6-12 months. The good news is, here at Levy Jewelers, we’ll clean and check your jewelry for free!

As mentioned above, we recommend having your fragile jewelry professionally cleaned. Jewelers have specialized tools to deal with soft gemstones, fine wires, and other details that make home cleanings difficult.

How Does A Jewelry Steam Cleaner Work? 

As the name implies, jewelry steam cleaners use steam to safely blast away dirt, grime and oils from your jewelry. The machine heats water to the point of steaming, and then directs a high-pressured jet of steam through a nozzle onto the jewelry. The jet of steam loosens and dissolves any residue on the jewelry, leaving it clean and polished.

How Does An Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner Work?

Ultrasonic cleaners use high frequency pressure waves to clean your jewelry. Jewelry is placed in a cleaning solution, and a pressure wave is sent through the solution. The ultrasonic wave vibrates through the solution, creating millions of tiny bubbles. These microscopic bubbles move to gently scrub your jewelry free of any impurities.

Ultrasonic jewelry cleaning is perhaps the most precise method of jewelry cleaning. The tiny bubbles reach into the smallest crevices, cracks, and hard-to-reach areas of your jewelry, ensuring a total clean.

Can I Clean My Jewelry At Home?

Cleaning your jewelry at home is easy, but requires some care and attention. The key is to scrub softly and avoid using damaging chemicals. A simple solution of mild soap and warm water is typically all you will need to keep your pieces clean. 

In a bowl, stir together a solution of mild dish soap and warm water. Place your pieces in the bowl to soak for a few minutes, allowing the warm water to loosen and dirt and grime. Then, take a (very soft) toothbrush or soft cloth (such as a microfiber cleaning cloth) and gently scrub your jewelry. You can pat it dry with the soft cloth, or allow it to air dry. 

How Often Do You Have to Clean Your Engagement Ring?

Since you wear your engagement ring every day, it will accrue dirt, grime, oils and bacteria more quickly than your other jewelry. For that reason, it’s recommended you clean your engagement ring every two weeks at home, and every 6-12 months with a professional jeweler.

You should clean your ring more frequently if you engage in certain activities. If your ring is frequently exposed to lotions, perfumes, makeup, or the outside elements, you may need to clean it more frequently. We recommend removing your engagement ring during activities like gardening, cleaning, or exercising. However, if you forget, or if a messy accident happens, be sure to bring your engagement ring in for a cleaning.