Your original jeweler (with their specialized equipment for cleaning jewelry) is the best place to get your pieces professionally cleaned, and they should always do it with a smile and free of charge. But often it's not convenient and you don't want to make the trip. Fear not.
The internet and stores are full of crap, pricey witch oils in pretty packaging, and even environmentally-friendly suds you don't need to clean your diamonds or just about any other precious or semi-precious stone or metal you have. (of course, if you insist on the enviro-happy stuff, I support you, but you won't sparkle like you would with the use of good old-fashioned ammonia!)
The only "professional" products worth buying are ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners. But for far less than the $100 these products go for, you can get a really good cleaning at home.
In fact, you can clean your jewelry with things you already have in your home right now. Two are in the kitchen or cleaning supplies, and one is on the bathroom counter and probably needs to be replaced by now anyways.
Get some window cleaner with ammonia, an old, soft toothbrush and some paper towels. The window cleaner breaks up the grease, streaks and dirt, the toothrush helps gently remove it, and the towels dry for a nice shine.
1. close the sink stopper (this should seem obvious, but I have had to take the sink pipes apart to retrieve an earring)
2. microwave/heat some window cleaner for about 20 seconds (a coffee cup works fine)
3. make sure the sink is closed (sorry to nag, but you'll thank me)
4. dip pieces of jewelry and toothbrush in the hot window cleaner
5. use soft toothbush to brush lightly, not allowing toothbrush fibers to get beneath the prongs, using care not to loosen the setting
6. rinse in hot water again
7. pat dry with paper towels (or an old t-shirt, my preferred drying tool)
The only exceptions to this are pearls, opals, corals, cameos, costume jewelry and some antique pieces. For pearls, opals and other soft, porous stones avoid ALL harsh chemicals (like ammonia) and abrasives when cleaning these items. Some places sell "pearl cleaner" and similar products. Avoid them. The only thing to use on pearls is a soft, lint-free cloth. No chemicals, no treatments, no nothing.
The same goes for costume jewelry and some antique pieces. If your antiques are 14K gold and above and have no soft stones, you can clean them as described above. But many older pieces are made with less than 14K gold and incorporate soft stones and using ammonia may damage or abrade them. They are beautiful and already old, so care for them gently. However, if you have old platinum and diamonds, go for it. You'll be amazed what some window cleaner and an old toothbrush will do!
If you have any questions about a specific piece of jewelry, ask me. When in doubt, be careful, and ask for advice first. I love to help.
(At my house, I use a combination of "professional" and "at-home" materials. I use an old, soft head on my ultrasonic toothbrush and window de-greaser for all non-delicate pieces of jewelry.)
Thanks for the educational post! Now I don't have to show up at your house with dirty diamonds anymore...
Love the new site!
Posted by: Brenda | February 09, 2006 at 05:05 PM
hehehehehe... I will always clean your jewelry Brenda!
Posted by: susanna | February 09, 2006 at 07:38 PM
So me using toothpaste to clean my wedding ring is a no-no?
Posted by: Lisa | February 10, 2006 at 08:25 AM
Toothpaste is okay, too. It's not a no-no.
But Windex will put a high shine on it, remove grease and streaks, etc.
Mostly what's doing the work in your case is the toothbrush.
Try the Windex next time, won't be minty fresh but it will be shinier!
Posted by: Susanna | February 10, 2006 at 09:01 AM
Wait--not under the prongs or in between? Just on top? There's so much gook in there, though. Also, I don't have a microwave, I'm againsst them, so does the Windex have to be warm?
Posted by: kim | February 11, 2006 at 06:01 PM
Kim,
Just don't get the toothbrush fibers caught underneath the prongs. If they do, and they get caught under there, pulling on the toothbrush to free it from the prong might loosen the prong, endangering the settings on the diamonds.
By all means, go between them, just don't get any toothbrush tines wedged under a prong so you have to pull to get the toothrush out.
I am sure with your work and hand lotion and the Kid that there's lots of gook in there.
No, the Windex needn't be warm. If it's warm, though, it will loosen the gook faster. Stovetop?
Try it sans microwave and let me know how it goes. You have plat and diamonds, so yours will get VERY SHINY, very clean, very fast and very safely.
Posted by: susanna | February 11, 2006 at 06:57 PM
It's so important to clean your jewelry to preserve them and if you don't know how to do this, blogs like this help a great deal. Thank very much for the info.
Posted by: Maggie | June 01, 2008 at 08:31 PM
FYI, if you do this diamond thing with windex in the mircowave, it will change the chemical composition of the stone and it will NO LONGER be a diamond. DO NOT DO IT.
Posted by: Leslie | October 13, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Thank you for this post. I have lot of diamond set. I will surely try your given tips. :-)
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Posted by: buy viagra | April 27, 2010 at 09:05 AM
I am surely with your work and hand lotion and the Kid that there's lots of thick in there. I have lot of diamond set.
Thank you for this post.
Posted by: Glass Of Venice | July 09, 2010 at 11:23 PM
These are tips i hadn't heard of. Microwaving cleaner. hmmm. it's a good tip.
Posted by: Charmn Goldie | November 24, 2010 at 02:31 PM
I must say that I love this method. One year and two months ago my fiance proposed with a beautiful 1.25 carat ring. I've always had combination type skin, so my ring gets oily and loses it's luster within a week or so, it seems.
At first I was driving down to Kay's for a professional cleaning each time it seemed to be dull. Then I purchased some over the counter cleaner, and unfortunately, it was spilled by my Siamese.
The only alternative I use with this method is I actually do half window cleaner/half hot water. Same shine (I've tried both ways) and no microwave required. :)
LOVE the blog, by the way.
Posted by: Kayla Moore | January 04, 2011 at 04:17 AM
There are jewelry stores that provide cleaning tips to maintain its beauty; also, the internet is your best bet when dealing with that. When I bought my diamond ring at a store in Indianapolis, they told me a lot on how to remove it when it's stuck to cleaning.
Posted by: Bridget Rossi | March 03, 2011 at 12:34 AM
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Posted by: Wedding Rings | March 16, 2011 at 04:37 AM
Thank you for sharing this man!! it was really helpful...
Diamonds are very costly,, and it should be taken care of!!
Posted by: Diamond Engagement Rings | May 19, 2011 at 05:31 AM