Cleaning gold jewelry at home: Here’s how to do it right

Gold is one of the most adored and frequently worn metals. Most have gold heirlooms and well-loved pieces of gold jewelry, and it’s important to keep it looking its best so it can be enjoyed for years. Frequent wear can cause gold to lose its luster, but you can bring it back to life quickly and easily (and from home!)

We’ll walk you through how to easily shine your favorite gold metal jewelry at home with products that you likely have on hand. Keep reading to learn how to easily bring your gold jewelry back to life with some simple cleaning options.

Basic Cleaning for Gold Jewelry

The most simple solution you can make for your gold jewelry involves warm water, gentle soap and a soft brush. Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Fill up a bowl: Fill a bowl with warm water (not boiling) and add a few drops of gentle dish soap.
• Step 2: Leave your jewelry to soak: Allowing your jewelry to soak for 10 to 15 minutes can help loosen any of the dirt and debris.
• Step 3: Scrub each piece with a soft brush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a similar small brush to gently scrub away dirt and debris caught in the setting. Dip the brush in the cleaning solution until you remove dirt, oil, and fingerprints and it has its luster back.
• Step 4: Rinse and dry: Thoroughly rinse your jewelry under tap water. Make sure you close the drain in case you drop anything while rinsing. It would be awful to lose your jewelry down the sink. Set your jewelry on a soft towel to dry.

Cleaning for Jewelry Embellished with Gemstones

Some gemstones can be safely cleaned at home with soapy water and a gentle brush, like diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Other stones, like opals and pearls, are more delicate and can’t be cleaned using this method.

Several gemstones, including topaz, garnets, aquamarines, and citrines, can be safely cleaned at home using an ultrasonic cleaning device. An ultrasonic cleaner uses ultrasound waves and water to remove dirt, oil, and tarnish. Make sure the gemstones are not loose before placing them in the ultrasonic cleaner. Also make sure that pieces of jewelry aren’t touching each other while in the cleaner. In addition to pearls and opals, several other stones aren’t suitable for ultrasonic cleaners, such as emeralds, turquoise, coral, and others.

You can also clean your fine jewelry using cleaning and polishing cloths. You’ll find cleaning cloths made for particular metals, such as gold and silver. Remember not to launder the polishing cloth, even when it turns black. You can replace it once it stops polishing and cleaning your jewelry.

A general rule of thumb when it comes to cleaning jewelry is to avoid harsh cleaning agents such as bleach, ammonia-based cleaners, or abrasive cleaners. Know what’s in the soap that you’re using to clean your jewelry. If you have questions, you can always seek professional help if you’re unsure about cleaning gold jewelry at home or ask how to clean specific gemstones.

Wrapping It Up

We invest in gold jewelry, and we want to keep our heirloom pieces lasting for years. In order for jewelry to last, it’s important to maintain and clean it. Periodically have your jewelry checked to make sure any gemstones are held securely and prongs aren’t broken or worn down. You can also periodically clean gold jewelry and some jewelry with gemstones at home. Using a soft-bristled brush and warm, soapy water to remove dirt and debris and get your jewelry looking as good as new. While diamonds, rubies, and sapphires can be safely cleaned at home, others, like opals and pearls, are too delicate for soaking and scrubbing. Some gemstones, such as  topaz, garnets, aquamarines, and citrines, can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaner. Others, such as topaz, garnets, aquamarines, and citrines, should skip ultrasonic cleaning. If in doubt, ask a professional jeweler for advice on how to clean particular gemstones. You don’t want to damage your beautiful jewelry.