If you have a jewelry collection that includes precious metals and gemstones, it’s important to keep your pieces clean. While the thought of cleaning your jewelry might seem intimidating, there are many different cleaners and methods to help you revive tarnished items or remove stubborn build-up. We tested multiple brands of jewelry cleaner and evaluated them based on the length of time it took to complete the process, how much cleaning product was used and the list of ingredients. We also consulted Brittany Groshong, founder, CEO, and creative director at Valley Rose for additional expert advice on what products work best for various jewelry types.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all jewelry cleaner, there are plenty of budget friendly options for your at-home jewelry maintenance routine. We found that a simple solution of water and dishwashing soap does the trick for most basic tarnish or wear-and-tear, as well as some stains. We recommend using a soft toothbrush to get into smaller crevices and gently scrub your jewelry.
Most jewelry cleaners require you to submerge your pieces in a solution or put them into an ultrasonic cleaner, which is an electronic device filled with water that uses sound waves or steam to agitate and clean your jewelry. We found that both methods are effective, but there are pros and cons to each, depending on what type of jewelry you have and how hands-on you want to be.
When it comes to professional cleaning, it’s essential that you let the jeweler evaluate your jewelry, determine the material and stones it is made from and use a method less likely to damage or scratch delicate materials like soft gemstones. It’s also important to test any jewelry cleaners you’re considering on a small, inconspicuous area of your piece before applying it to ensure the cleaner is safe for your jewelry.
The Jewelry cleaner that worked the best in our tests was Brilliant Jewelry Cleaner, which is available for under $10 and can be used on most jewelry types including silver, diamonds, and platinum. This solution is sprayed on the surface of your jewelry and quickly loosens oils, lotions, dirt, and grime. For a more thorough cleaning, Brilliant recommends using a small brush that is included with the kit to reach hard to get places. This cleaner also has a pleasant smell and is easy to store in a jewelry box or pouch. We found that it doesn’t deep clean certain crevices, especially on rings or small earrings, but we still found this to be an excellent option for regular jewelry upkeep.
