Jewelry Cleaning Tips

It's simple to keep your jewelry looking its best. Start with a soft toothbrush (battery-operated ones are great) and plain dish detergent (like original, blue Dawn). For very dirty or tarnished pieces, I use Jewel Brite Jewelry Cleaner or Tarnish Remover. Both are biodegradable and safe for most metals, gems and gemstones including pearls.

​For gems set in prongs, as in rings, pendants or bracelets, use a toothbrush and either dish detergent or Jewelry Cleaner. Wet the toothbrush, add a tiny bit of detergent or Cleaner, and gently scrub your jewelry. Work the brush between the setting and the gems. rinse with warm water, dry with a soft cloth, and see your gems sparkle.

​Pearls require special care to keep their luster. They should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Avoid getting make-up, perfume or hairspray on your pearls. After taking them off, wipe them with a soft cloth to remove skin oils, cosmetics and dust. If they look dull, wipe gently with a damp cloth. Never use detergents, toothbrushes, scouring pads or steam or ultrasonic cleaners. If you use a cleaning solution, make sure it is safe for pearls.

​For gemstone, glass and crystal bead jewelry simply wipe with a damp cloth. If the piece is very dirty, wet a soft cloth, add a tiny bit of Jewelry Cleaner or detergent, wipe the piece, and rinse by wiping again with a cloth dampened with water.

Basic Cleaning Tools

My Favorite Cleaning Products

Protective Wax

For sterling silver, copper, brass, bronze or gold, swish your jewelry in Jewelry Cleaner, let it sit a bit, rinse with warm water, and dry with a soft cloth. For really tarnished pieces, wet the toothbrush, pick up a bit of Tarnish Remover, scrub gently, rinse with warm water, dry with a soft cloth, and your metals will gleam. I use Renaissance Wax on my metal jewelry. It provides a barrier between the metal and your skin as well as retarding oxidation (a.k.a. tarnish). Like any coating, it will eventually wear off. You can use paste wax to provide similar results each time you clean and polish your metal jewelry.

Finally, don't use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. It contains abrasives and may leave scratches.

May your jewelry always shine!

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