Tips for Cleaning Your Jewelry
While ultrasonic cleaners may be the fastest method for cleaning jewelry, they can also be the quickest way to damage your gemstone. A responsible jeweler will carefully inspect a gemstone before they subject to ultrasonic cleaning. They will be looking for microscopic or obvious fractures.
One advantage of ultrasonic cleaning is the solution used. These expensive "secret formula" products may be little more that common ammonia. Sudsy ammonia solutions are sold as common cleaning products. In the U.S. they are sold under trade names such as "409" and "Fantastic".
Off-the-shelf products will normally work just as well as the secret formula solutions.
Cleaning Your Jewelry
- Let it soak overnight
- Warming the solution speeds the process
- Brush off any grime with an old toothbrush
- Rinse well
Caution: Never put a heat sensitive gem in a hot solution. As one example, an opal might fracture.
Don't clean pearls or other porous gems with a chemical solution.
Silver Polish
- Use a non-metallic container
- Line the bottom with aluminum foil
- Fill with hot water
- Add a handful of washing soda
- Place your silver items in the container so they are in contact with the aluminum foil
The tarnish will fade in a few minutes.
Remove your silver from the solution and using a soft towel, buff them dry.
Notes:
- If you let them air dry they will not have the required luster
- Use with silver plated or solid silver
- The method works well with most items, but not all
Scrubbing Gems
Gems can be safely cleaned with a soft toothbrush dipped in soapy water: Swish a bar of mild soap around in several cups of warm water until it becomes sudsy. Submerge gemstone in suds for a few seconds, rub gently with toothbrush and rinse. Lay on clean towel to dry.
Soaking Diamonds
Diamonds are dulled by soap and should be soaked in an ammonia-based cleaner and then wiped with a paper towel.
While we have made every effort to convey accurate and safe information, we assume no responsibility for any damage to your possessions. If you have any doubts whatsoever about the safety of cleaning any jewelry item, a professional jeweler should be consulted.
