Your favourite rings and necklaces lose their sparkle over time. Daily wear builds up oils, lotions, and everyday grime that dulls even the most beautiful pieces. You might notice your diamond engagement ring doesn’t catch the light like it used to, or your gold chain looks cloudy instead of gleaming. Many people assume they need expensive cleaning solutions or trips to the jeweller, but that’s rarely the case. These jewellery cleaning tips will help you restore that original shine.

You already have everything you need in your kitchen cupboards. Washing up liquid, bicarbonate of soda, and warm water can safely clean most jewellery types. The right technique matters more than fancy products. A gentle approach protects your precious pieces while removing the buildup that hides their beauty.

This guide walks you through safe cleaning methods for different jewellery materials. You’ll learn how to clean gold and diamonds, remove silver tarnish, and protect your pieces from damage. We’ll cover proper storage techniques and explain when professional cleaning makes sense. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to keep your jewellery looking brilliant between professional services.

Assess your jewellery condition first

You need to examine your jewellery carefully before you start cleaning. Damaged pieces require different handling than sturdy ones, and the wrong cleaning method can turn a small issue into an expensive repair. Check each item under good lighting to spot any structural problems that might worsen during cleaning. This inspection takes only a few minutes but prevents costly mistakes.

Check for loose stones or damage

Hold each piece up to the light and gently shake it near your ear. You’ll hear a faint rattling sound if stones have loosened in their settings. Run your fingernail carefully along the edges where gems meet metal. A loose prong or worn setting needs professional attention before you clean the piece, as scrubbing can dislodge stones completely. Examine clasps, hinges, and chain links for signs of wear or weakness. Thin spots on rings or bent prongs signal that your jewellery needs repair rather than cleaning.

Cleaning damaged jewellery can transform a minor repair into a complete restoration project.

Identify your jewellery materials

Different materials need different approaches, so you must know what you’re cleaning. Gold jewellery tolerates most cleaning methods well, whether it’s yellow, white, or rose gold. Sterling silver tarnishes and requires specific treatments to restore its shine. Pearls, opals, and emeralds have porous surfaces that absorb liquids and can crack or discolour with harsh chemicals. Check for stamps inside rings or on clasps that indicate metal type (like 925 for sterling silver or 18K for gold). Costume jewellery often features plated metals that wear away with aggressive cleaning, so treat these pieces with extra care. Platinum looks similar to white gold but handles more robust cleaning methods. Following these jewellery cleaning tips means matching your method to your materials, which protects your pieces whilst delivering the best results. Keep fragile items separate from those you can scrub more vigorously.

Clean gold and diamonds with washing up liquid

Washing up liquid provides the safest cleaning method for your gold and diamond jewellery. This approach removes oils, dirt, and buildup without harsh chemicals that can damage delicate settings or finishes. You’ll restore the original brilliance to your pieces with items you already have under your sink. These jewellery cleaning tips work brilliantly for engagement rings, necklaces, and earrings made from gold with diamond settings.

Mix your cleaning solution

Fill a small bowl with warm water (not hot, which can loosen adhesives in some settings) and add two or three drops of washing up liquid. Stir the mixture gently until bubbles form. The solution needs enough soap to break down oils but shouldn’t feel slippery or overly sudsy. Use this ratio as your guide:

• 250ml warm water
• 2-3 drops washing up liquid
• Stir for 5-10 seconds

Too much soap leaves residue that dulls your jewellery instead of cleaning it.

Soak and rinse thoroughly

Place your gold and diamond pieces in the solution and let them sit for 15 to 20 minutes. This soaking time loosens grime from settings and allows the soap to penetrate hard-to-reach spots. Remove each piece and rinse under lukewarm running water, turning it to ensure all soap washes away. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth rather than rubbing, which can scratch softer gold. Your diamonds will sparkle immediately as water and oils no longer block light from passing through the stones.

Gently scrub hard-to-reach areas

Soaking removes most dirt, but crevices and settings trap stubborn residue that needs gentle scrubbing. A soft brush reaches behind stones and into engraved patterns where grime hides. You’ll notice the difference immediately as your jewellery regains its original detail and depth. These jewellery cleaning tips for manual cleaning work best after your pieces have soaked.

Select a proper cleaning brush

Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush that you’ve dedicated solely to jewellery cleaning. Baby toothbrushes work brilliantly because their extra-soft bristles won’t scratch gold or dislodge stones. Avoid anything labelled medium or hard, as these can damage softer metals and create tiny scratches that dull surfaces over time.

The softer your brush, the safer your cleaning process becomes.

Keep this brush separate from your regular toiletries and replace it every few months. Natural bristles work better than synthetic ones for delicate pieces, whilst nylon bristles suit sturdier gold jewellery. Never use wire brushes or abrasive materials that can permanently damage your pieces.

Apply the correct scrubbing technique

Dip your brush in the soapy water and work around each stone’s setting using small circular movements. Focus on the underside of your ring where oils and lotions accumulate heavily. Brush along chain links and inside engraved areas, but never press hard or scrub vigorously. Light pressure with multiple passes cleans better than aggressive scrubbing. Rinse the brush frequently to prevent redistributing dirt across your jewellery.

Remove silver tarnish with bicarbonate of soda

Silver jewellery develops a dark, dull coating called tarnish when it reacts with sulphur in the air. This natural process doesn’t damage your pieces, but it hides their beautiful shine. Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) provides a safe, effective solution that removes tarnish without harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing. These jewellery cleaning tips for silver work on chains, rings, bracelets, and earrings that have lost their lustre.

Create the cleaning paste

Mix three parts bicarbonate of soda with one part water in a small bowl to form a thick paste. The consistency should resemble toothpaste rather than soup. You need only a tablespoon or two for most pieces. Here’s your exact mixture:

• 3 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• Stir until smooth and paste-like

This simple paste costs pennies yet works as well as expensive silver cleaners.

Apply and polish your silver

Rub the paste onto tarnished areas using your fingers or a soft cloth, working in small circular motions. Focus on spots where tarnish appears darkest, but cover all silver surfaces. Let the paste sit for two to three minutes to break down the tarnish. Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water, ensuring no residue remains in crevices or around stones. Buff dry immediately with a clean, soft cloth to prevent water spots and restore the original shine.

Store items separately to avoid scratches

Your jewellery can scratch itself when pieces rub together during storage. Hard materials like diamonds and platinum easily damage softer metals like gold and silver. Even clean jewellery loses its finish when stored incorrectly. Proper storage extends the time between cleanings and protects your pieces from preventable damage. These jewellery cleaning tips include storage because prevention matters as much as maintenance.

Choose the right storage containers

Individual compartments keep each piece separate and protected. Fabric-lined jewellery boxes with divided sections work best for daily wear items. Soft pouches made from cotton or microfibre suit pieces you wear less frequently. Zip-lock bags provide basic protection for costume jewellery, though they lack the padding of proper storage solutions.

Storing pieces separately prevents more damage than any cleaning method can fix.

Separate by material hardness

Your storage system should account for material differences that determine scratch risk. Diamonds score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and will scratch anything softer, including gold settings on other rings. Keep these guidelines in mind:

• Diamonds and sapphires: separate compartments
• Gold jewellery: individual pouches or slots
• Silver pieces: anti-tarnish bags or cloth
• Pearls and opals: wrapped in soft fabric
• Costume jewellery: zip-lock bags

Platinum jewellery tolerates contact better than gold but still benefits from separation. Chain necklaces tangle and scratch each other’s surfaces during removal, so never pile them together.

When to seek professional cleaning

These jewellery cleaning tips handle most routine maintenance, but professional cleaning becomes necessary in specific situations. You should book an appointment when your pieces show visible damage like bent prongs, loose stones, or broken clasps. Complex settings with multiple small diamonds trap dirt that home cleaning can’t fully remove. Antique jewellery and pieces with delicate gemstones require expert handling to avoid permanent damage.

Professional jewellers use ultrasonic cleaners and specialized solutions that restore brilliance without risk. They’ll inspect your settings whilst cleaning, catching potential problems before stones fall out. Schedule professional cleaning every six to twelve months for engagement rings and frequently worn pieces. This maintenance protects your investment and keeps everything secure.

Looking for expert care for your precious pieces? A Star Diamonds offers professional cleaning services alongside their bespoke jewellery design. Their Hatton Garden workshop combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to keep your jewellery looking brilliant for years to come.