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Caring for jewelry starts with simple habits: keep your jewelry away from household chemicals, chlorine, cosmetics, and heavy impacts; store it separately; and clean it at home using only gentle cleaning products. Gold and most hard gemstones can be washed with lukewarm soapy water, but pearls, emeralds, and other more delicate gemstones require more careful care.
To keep your jewelry looking its best for longer:
Creams, perfumes, hairspray, cleaning products, and other chemicals can leave residue on metal and gemstones, while harsher products can damage surfaces, coatings, or certain gemstones. It’s best to put on your jewelry after you’ve applied your cosmetics and let them dry. You should especially avoid direct contact with:
Even strong metal or hard gemstones aren’t completely indestructible. It’s a good idea to remove rings, bracelets, and other jewelry before:
This will reduce the risk of scratches, deformation, stones falling out, or contact with corrosive substances.
There is no universal cleaning method that is safe for absolutely all jewelry. For most simple gold jewelry, the safest initial method is lukewarm water with a small amount of mild dish soap and a very soft brush. However, if the piece of jewelry contains pearls, emeralds, opals, topazes, or treated gemstones—or if you’re unsure what kind of stone is set in it—you should first choose a cleaning method specifically suited to that stone.
Rings, earrings, and chains tossed together in a jewelry box can rub against one another. Therefore, it’s best to:
Jewelry care isn’t just about cleaning. Check the following from time to time:
If a stone moves or the setting appears damaged, it’s best not to wear the jewelry until it has been inspected. In such cases, jewelry repair may be necessary.
Simple gold jewelry without delicate gemstones can usually be cleaned very easily at home.
It’s easier to wash the jewelry in a small bowl rather than over an open sink—this reduces the risk of accidentally dropping it.
Avoid:
Abrasive products can scratch the metal’s surface, and some chemicals can affect the components of the gold alloy.
If you’d like to learn more about what your jewelry is made of, read our updated guide “The fineness of gold and the composition of gold”.
Caring for white gold jewelry is essentially the same as caring for yellow or rose gold, but some white gold jewelry is coated with rhodium. This coating wears off over time. As a result, the surface of the jewelry may appear less bright white, especially in areas that are frequently worn. This does not necessarily mean that the jewelry is dirty or of poor quality. You should not aggressively polish such jewelry at home. If you want to restore its surface, it is best to consult a jeweler.
Silver can tarnish over time, so caring for it is slightly different from caring for gold. For light tarnish, the following is usually sufficient:
Tarnished silver can be cleaned with a special polishing cloth designed for silver. However, before using special cleaning products, make sure the jewelry isn’t plated, oxidized, or adorned with delicate gemstones. In such cases, a product suitable for the silver itself may not be suitable for the entire piece of jewelry.
Sometimes the name of the stone alone isn’t enough. Its care may also depend on whether the stone has been heat-treated, dyed, coated, or had its fissures filled with other materials. Therefore, it is safest to clean jewelry of unknown origin or particularly valuable pieces using a conservative approach.
| Gemstone | Safe Initial Cleaning | What's Best to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond | Lukewarm soapy water, soft brush | Bleach, abrasive cleaners, strong mechanical impact |
| Ruby | Lukewarm soapy water | Harsh chemicals, especially if the stone is filled or otherwise treated |
| Sapphire | Lukewarm soapy water | Harsh chemicals; use with caution on treated stones |
| Emerald | Lukewarm soapy water, very gentle cleaning | Ultrasound, steam, extreme heat |
| Topaz | Lukewarm soapy water | Ultrasound, steam, sudden temperature changes |
| Pearls | Soft, damp cloth after use | Perfume, hairspray, abrasives, prolonged soaking |
| Opal | Gentle cleaning with a damp cloth or appropriate soapy water | Ultrasound, high heat, very dry environments |
If the stone is valuable, antique, bonded, or if you’re unsure whether it has been treated, consult a jeweler before cleaning it with ultrasound or chemical agents.
Proper storage protects not only against dust but also against scratches and tangling. It’s best to use:
Diamond rings should not be stored together with softer gemstones in a way that allows them to come into contact.
Keep chains fastened and separated from one another—this way, they’ll be less likely to get tangled.
Jewelry should also not be left in direct sunlight or near a strong heat source for long periods, especially if it contains more delicate organic or colored gemstones.
Home cleaning removes oils, makeup residue, and light dirt, but it won’t remove actual metal scratches or worn-out plating. Professional refurbishment may be necessary when:
In such cases, it’s better to opt for professional jewelry cleaning and restoration.
To avoid damaging the piece, avoid these common mistakes:
If you’re unsure about the proper care for a specific piece, the safest option is to stop and consult a jeweler.
Simple gold jewelry can usually be cleaned with lukewarm water, a few drops of mild dish soap, and a soft brush. However, first check to see if the piece contains any delicate gemstones, adhesives, or special coatings.
It is not recommended. Toothpaste is abrasive and can leave fine scratches on polished gold or damage certain coatings.
There is no one-size-fits-all schedule for all jewelry. Rings and earrings worn frequently can be gently cleaned at home from time to time when visible traces of oil or cosmetics appear. The frequency of professional cleaning should be determined based on the jewelry’s design and how often it is worn.
It’s best to remove jewelry before swimming in a pool or hot tub, as chlorinated water can affect certain gold alloys and the surface of the jewelry. There’s also a risk of losing the jewelry while swimming in the ocean.
Contact a jeweler if a stone is loose, the setting is deformed, the clasp isn’t working, the jewelry is heavily scratched, the white gold surface needs to be refinished, or you’re unsure how to safely clean a specific stone.
Daily jewelry care can be done at home, but deep cleaning, polishing, refinishing, and inspecting stone settings should be performed after evaluating the specific piece.
If your ring, earrings, bracelet, or chain has lost its original appearance, contact us for professional jewelry restoration or repair.
