Jewelry Cleaning & Care

Before you clean

Check the product details and any gemstone report for the metal, plating, treatments and care instructions. A familiar color or a diamond-like appearance does not identify every material in the piece. When the construction or treatment is unknown, ask a jeweler before soaking, brushing or using a cleaning solution.

If a stone moves, a prong catches on clothing, a clasp does not close securely, or the piece has taken a hard knock, stop wearing it and arrange an inspection. Cleaning cannot repair a worn setting. Do not test a loose stone by pushing or twisting it.

A gentle diamond-ring routine

Use this routine only for a sound piece with untreated diamonds in plain gold or platinum when its care instructions permit it. Check separately for other gemstones, decorative finishes, coatings or glued components. Handle a ring by its band to reduce oily fingerprints on the diamond.

1. Prepare a small bowl of lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Work over a clear surface away from an open drain.
2. Let the approved piece sit briefly in the solution to loosen residue. With a clean, very soft brush reserved for jewelry, gently reach behind the stone; avoid force against prongs or delicate settings.
3. Rinse in a second bowl of clean water. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and allow any remaining moisture to dry before storage.
4. Check the bowls for a loose stone before emptying them. If a stone comes free, keep it with the jewelry and contact a jeweler.

What a diamond can and cannot resist

A diamond is highly resistant to scratching, but hardness is different from resistance to chipping. A sharp impact can damage a diamond, especially at an exposed point, corner or thin edge. Sudden extremes of temperature can also cause damage.

A stone can be clean while its setting still needs repair. Look after the ring as a complete object: metal can wear, prongs can bend, and one diamond can scratch another. Keep diamond pieces separate rather than allowing stones and settings to rub together.

Gold: 10K, 14K and 18K

Karat identifies gold content; it does not give a cleaning instruction for every finished piece. Yellow and rose gold alloys, white gold, and plated finishes require you to consider the complete design. An abrasive product that removes surface marks can also alter the finish.

Many white gold pieces have a rhodium coating. Wear can reveal the warmer alloy underneath; more scrubbing will not restore that coating. Ask a jeweler whether replating is appropriate. The interval depends on the piece and how it is worn; there is no universal annual schedule.

Platinum: cleaning and patina

Platinum can develop a softer sheen as small surface marks accumulate. This patina is different from dirt. Gentle cleaning removes residue; it does not necessarily return the metal to a mirror finish.

If you prefer a polished appearance, have the piece assessed before refinishing. Let the jeweler know if it has engraved details, a brushed finish or delicate settings you want preserved. Platinum still needs protection from knocks and regular attention to its stone settings.

Silver: tarnish, coatings and storage

Sterling silver can darken with tarnish. That surface change does not by itself mean the jewelry is counterfeit. Store silver dry and separately in a suitable pouch or container; a jewelry-safe anti-tarnish strip may help slow tarnish.

Before using a silver cloth, dip or polish, establish whether the piece is uncoated silver, plated, intentionally oxidized or set with delicate gems. A method suitable for plain silver may remove a decorative finish or affect a stone. Follow the piece's instructions and have stubborn tarnish assessed instead of increasing pressure.

Pearls need a softer approach

Wipe pearls gently with a very soft, clean cloth after wearing. Put them on after cosmetics, perfume and hair products. Their surface is easily scratched and can be damaged by chemicals or high heat.

Never put pearls in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. For occasional deeper cleaning, GIA recommends warm, soapy water, but check the stringing and other materials first. If a strand becomes wet, let the thread dry completely before wearing. Store pearls away from harder jewelry in a soft pouch or compartment.

Emeralds, opals and other colored gems

Emeralds often contain fractures that have been filled with oil or resin. Heat, solvents, ultrasonic vibration and steam can affect the stone or its treatment. GIA recommends warm, soapy water with a gentle cleaning action; first confirm that this suits the particular setting and treatment.

Opal can be scratched and damaged by heat or sudden temperature changes. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning. GIA identifies warm, soapy water as the safe cleaning approach for opal, but assembled or treated pieces need individual advice before immersion.

Ruby, sapphire and other colored stones also vary in treatment and condition. Do not choose a cleaner solely because the gem is described as hard. Ask about the specific stone, its treatments and the rest of the jewelry.

Skip harsh cleaners and home cleaning machines

Do not use toothpaste, powdered household cleansers or chlorine bleach on fine jewelry. Abrasives can mark metal, and chlorine can damage gold alloys. A jewelry cleaner's metal label alone is not proof that it is suitable for every gemstone or finish in a piece.

Leave ultrasonic and steam cleaning to a jeweler who has checked the stones, treatments and setting. Vibration can loosen stones, and certain gems or filled fractures can be damaged. Avoid boiling water and improvised steam cleaning. A more powerful method is not automatically a better one.

Everyday wear and storage

Remove jewelry before swimming, using household cleaners, gardening, heavy lifting or contact sports. Rings and bracelets can catch, bend or strike equipment. Put jewelry on after applying lotion, sunscreen and cosmetics to reduce residue and chemical exposure.

Use separate padded compartments or soft pouches. Close necklace clasps before storage and keep chains apart to reduce tangles. Avoid leaving jewelry in direct heat. Pearls and opals need storage suited to their material; extremely dry conditions are not ideal for every gem.

When to see a jeweler

Arrange periodic professional inspections, with the interval chosen for the design and frequency of wear. Have a piece checked sooner after impact, a change in fit, a bent prong, a weak clasp or any sign of movement in a stone. Delicate, vintage and frequently worn pieces may need closer attention.

Ask what the proposed service involves: cleaning, tightening, polishing, replating and repair are different jobs. Confirm the price and any effect on the finish before authorizing work. For a TJS piece, email support@thejewelrystudio.us with the order details and a description of the concern; ask for instructions before sending jewelry.

Common questions