How to Clean Jewelry

Before cleaning your jewelry, examine it carefully to make sure that all settings, clasps and prongs are secure. Once you've done that, you're ready to proceed.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mild Dish Detergents
• Nonabrasive Jewelry Cleaners
• Nonabrasive Silver Polishes
• Soft Dry Cloth
• soft, lint-free cloths

Gold, Platinum and Gemstones

1. Use a nonabrasive jewelry cleaner, which you can purchase at a local jewelry store. Or use a cleaning solution of mild dish soap and water.

2. Dip the jewelry in the cleaner or cleaning solution.

3. Rinse in warm running water.

4. Buff dry with a soft, lint-free cloth until it's shiny.

Silver

1. Clean the silver with a nonabrasive silver polish.

2. Apply the polish with a soft cloth, gently working it into stains.

3. Wipe away excess polish and buff the jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth until it's shiny.

4. Keep in mind that frequently wearing silver jewelry can keep it from becoming tarnished.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use jewelry cleaner on pearls and porous stones, such as emeralds, rubies, lapis lazuli, coral and turquoise. Wipe them clean with a soft, damp cloth or have them cleaned professionally. Consult a jeweler when in doubt about a particular stone.

• Exposure to perfume, cosmetics or perspiration can stain gemstones.