Jewelry is a serious investment, and it deserves the best care. That includes regular cleanings and proper storage. A few minutes of effort goes a long way, removing oil and dirt from the surface, and even lifting some discoloration caused by oxidation. But not all jewelry cleaners are created equal: Some can damage specific gemstones like coral and pearl, while others may scratch softer metals like gold. Whether you’re looking for a manual or ultrasonic solution, here are the top picks from our testers and experts that will get your jewelry sparkling again.
Weiman Fine Jewelry Cleaner
The Weiman Fine Jewelry cleaner comes with a convenient dipping tray that lets you lower earring and ring hooks, chain link necklaces, and doublet earrings into the container to soak for 30 minutes or so. You can also use the included scrubbing brush to reach into nooks and crannies if needed. It’s a great choice for most jewelry, except silver or heavily tarnished pieces, and it works especially well on gold.
This specialized solution from Branson Ultrasonics uses ultrasonic frequencies to create a phenomenon called cavitation: microscopic bubbles form in the water, which can agitate and dislodge dirt at the molecular level. The bubbles then collapse and are swept away by the liquid, leaving your jewelry clean and shiny. It’s ideal for delicate items like diamonds, watches, and most precious metals—but it’s not suitable for organic gems, such as opals and coral, or doublets, resin inlay, or moonstone.
While the solution itself is safe for most jewelry, it’s not recommended for pearls (which are highly porous), and you shouldn’t submerge any piece made from cellulose or silk, as the liquid could deteriorate these delicate threads. Instead, try scrubbing your pearls with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, or gently rub them with a nonabrasive cloth.
Despite the name, toothpaste is actually quite good at cleaning jewelry: The low-abrasion formula lifts oil, dirt, and oxidation from the surface without scratching. But make sure you’re using a natural, white variety without any extra whitening or tartar control ingredients, and be sure to rinse your jewelry completely before soaking or scrubbing it again.
While the abrasive nature of a scrubber can remove some oxidation and stains, too much scrubbing can erode the plating on items like gold plated necklace chains and gold vermeil rings, revealing the base metal beneath. If you’re using one of these pieces, be sure to soak your jewelry for no longer than 30 minutes or to use a nonabrasive cellulose sponge instead of a toothbrush. Too much abrasion can also cause the finish on sterling silver jewelry to deteriorate, causing it to tarnish and turn yellow. If this happens, you can usually re-plate your jewelry by rinsing it in warm water, applying a thin coat of clear nail polish, and then buffing the new surface with a dry soft cloth. The process can take a few weeks, but it’s usually worth it.
