The best Jewelry cleaner removes tarnish, banishes grime and buildup, and brings life back to your favorite silver pieces. It’s a good idea to clean your jewelry regularly, especially if you wear it frequently. But cleaning and polishing can cause some damage to jewelry that may be beyond repair, and it can also harm the gemstones. Some materials, including organic stones and natural leather, should not be exposed to chemical solutions or soaked in liquids. That’s why it’s always a good idea to consult a professional gemologist.
We spoke with Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certified gemologist Megan Cooper, owner of Blue Heron Jewelry and a jewelry designer. She recommends getting your jewelry professionally cleaned every six months to ensure that it stays in the best shape possible. But you can also use at-home methods for routine upkeep between professional cleanings.
For most people, the most accessible and inexpensive jewelry cleaner is a mixture of water and dishwashing soap. This solution is safe for most metals, but it may not be strong enough to remove more severe stains or rust.
Another good option is to try an at-home jewelry cleaner that’s designed for a specific type of jewelry. These cleaners often feature a different formula that’s gentler than regular soap or dishwasher detergent. Some can be used on all metals, while others are more gentle on delicate stones.
To find the best Jewelry cleaner, we had our expert testers test out a variety of options. They evaluated each product based on its formula, what type of jewelry it could be safely used on, and whether it was manual or ultrasonic. We also consulted Brittany Groshong, founder of Valley Rose Jewelry and a professional Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graduate gemologist.
We found that a homemade jewelry cleaner made with one part sudsing ammonia and one part water is an effective and inexpensive way to clean many jewelry items. It’s safe for most metals and faceted gemstones (but not for pearls, organics, or dyed gemstones) and can be used to clean gold, sterling silver, brass, and German silver. To make it, line a bowl with aluminum foil, fill with water, add the cleaning solution, and soak jewelry items for a few minutes. Then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
We also tested an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, which uses a combination of water and 42,000 Hz high-frequency sound waves to dislodge dirt, grime, and oils. We found that this device quickly and easily cleaned a wide range of jewelry items, as well as eyeglasses, toothbrushes, stationery, coins, razors, and watches. It’s easy to use, easy to dispense, and comes with bonus features like an auto shut-off timer and a digital display. Depending on the size of your jewelry collection, you might want to consider purchasing a larger ultrasonic cleaner with a bigger tank for maximum capacity.
