Answer:
You can safely clean most jewellery at home by soaking it in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, gently brushing with a soft toothbrush, and drying with a soft, lint-free cloth; delicate gems like pearls should only be wiped with a damp cloth and never soaked.
Cleaning and caring for jewellery at home helps maintain its sparkle and prevents damage. With regular maintenance, your favourite pieces will look beautiful for years.
Know your jewellery
- Identify the metal and gemstones in each piece. Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are hard and can handle gentle brushing, while pearls, opals, emeralds and other soft stones need extra care.
- Check for loose stones or damaged prongs before cleaning to avoid accidental loss.
Routine cleaning
- Prepare a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap; soak gold, platinum and diamond jewellery for 10–15 minutes.
- Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub around stones and settings, then rinse under clean water and dry with a lint‑free cloth.
- For sterling silver, use a silver polishing cloth or a specialised silver dip; avoid soaking pearls or porous gems—wipe them with a damp cloth instead.
Avoid harsh chemicals
- Keep jewellery away from bleach, chlorine and abrasive cleaners. Remove rings before swimming, cleaning or using hand sanitiser to prevent discolouration.
- Avoid using toothpaste or baking soda, which can scratch metal and softer stones.
Dry & polish
- After cleaning, pat jewellery dry with a soft cloth. Let pieces air‑dry completely before storing to prevent trapped moisture.
Storing properly
- Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box to prevent scratches and tangling.
- Keep jewellery in a cool, dry place away from humidity; use anti‑tarnish strips to slow silver tarnish.
Professional & special care
- Take your jewellery to a professional jeweller at least once a year for a deep clean and inspection.
- Ultrasonic or steam cleaners can restore sparkle to diamonds and sapphires, but avoid them for emeralds, pearls, opals and heat‑treated or fracture‑filled stones.
Delicate gems & pearls
- Wipe pearls, opals and turquoise with a soft, damp cloth and let them dry; avoid soaps and chemicals.
- Store pearls separately and have them restrung periodically to prevent breakage.
Explore designs with our Ring Builder
Ready for your next heirloom? Use our [Ring Builder](https://diamonds4change.org/pages/ring-builder) to customise a ring that suits your lifestyle and learn which metals and stones fit your care routine (opens in a new tab).
FAQs
Can I use toothpaste or baking soda to clean jewellery?
No. These household abrasives can scratch metals and softer gemstones. Stick to mild soap and soft cloths.
How often should I clean my jewellery?
Clean frequently worn pieces once a month and whenever they look dull or are exposed to lotions or cosmetics.
Are ultrasonic cleaners safe for all jewellery?
Use them only for durable stones like diamonds, rubies and sapphires. They may damage softer gems, pearls and treated stones.
By caring for your jewellery responsibly, you’ll enjoy its beauty for many years while supporting ethical practices. At Diamonds4Change, our profits are used to fund education, healthcare and skills‑training projects in sourcing communities.