How to clean jewellery at home: Tips and advice from jewellers | British GQ

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You know that rings and chains can buff up a fit. What you might not know is how to clean your jewellery, because, ultimately, these accessories do the hard work and quickly pick up a lot of dirty, dust and life detritus in the process.

And if you’re going to learn how to do it, may as well learn how to do it the right way. Jewellery needs to be cleaned according to its type and make, and things like settings or stones can change the diagnosis and the treatment plan.

So, learn!

The internet may try to convince you that you need an ultrasonic cleaner, AKA those little water tanks you see on TikTok buzzing the gunk out of rings. And while you can get an ultrasonic cleaner if you really want to, the reality is all you need is soap and water.

London jeweller Hannah Martin says “it is best to keep it simple. You can use a very soft toothbrush with warm soapy water (use a gentle soap with no chemicals).” (A pro-tip here is to buy a baby toothbrush from the supermarket, which has very soft bristles that won’t scratch metals or stones).

“This is helpful for getting into crevices or the backs of rings, where there can be a build up from hand creams, grooming products etc.”

For more kit, Martin says it’s “worth investing in a gold polishing cloth — these work wonders once the grime has been cleaned off with soap and water.”

But while the DIY approach keeps things nice and shiny, it can be useful to book in for a professional cleaning every so often. “The very best way is to take jewellery to a professional workshop,” says Martin, “The pieces can be cleaned, scratches removed, polished and stones checked, to make sure they are still safely set and not moving.”

Stay golden, pony boy.

Gold tarnishing is the jumpscare of the jewellery world. Looking down at an expensive ring or bracelet to see it marked with black or dull spots can be maddening/depressing/all of the above.

Number one: don’t panic, your jewellery is fine. Pure gold is pretty soft, so it’s often mixed in with another material like copper, silver or zinc to make it stronger. Tarnishing is something that happens when the alloy (i.e. the other materials mixed in with the gold) oxidises and forms a layer on the surface – but it’s not a structural problem.

Usually, this can be polished or buffed off with the same simple methods. If it’s stubborn, though, take it to an expert.

Like gold, silver is a metal that doesn’t need a heap of work to keep nice and shiny. In addition to a quick bath every now and then, Mona Jensen, creative director of jewellery label Tom Wood, recommends some specific tech to go the extra mile.

“My top recommendation is to invest in a good-quality silver polishing cloth,” says Jensen, echoing Martin’s point. “It’s what we use in all of our stores because it’s really effective at getting rid of oxidation and other tarnish. It’s gentle enough that it won’t damage any gemstones, which is a big plus. Simply rub the cloth over the silver, and it’ll restore the shine in no time.”

It’s worth noting that gold polishing cloths and silver polishing cloths are not necessarily the same thing. Although you can use a general microfibre for both, if you’re buying a specific ‘silver polishing cloth,’ it will sometimes be treated with a product specifically suited to the metal.

Don’t sweat scratches, either, says Jensen. “Silver is one of the softer metals, so scratches are to be expected. The upside is, over time, those scratches can actually even out and will result in giving the piece character and a beautiful, lived-in shine. So, while they might be a bit annoying at first, they will eventually become less noticeable.

“If deeper scratches bother you, a professional polish can restore the surface in no time. If you want your jewellery to look brand new, having a goldsmith add a new rhodium layer to the pieces will be a good approach.”

The deal is the same with gold tarnishing. This occurs when the alloy metals in the jewellery oxidise or react with moisturisers or products. A good buff should get them out.

The upkeep of rings mostly depends on the type, and how often you wear it. Because they go on our hands, which get frequent use throughout the day, they do build up grime quicker than, say, necklaces.

But a statement ring you wear every so often will require less cleaning than a signature piece you’re rocking every day (see: wedding bands, signet rings, and the like).

“If it's something you wear every day, like a wedding band or a signature piece, cleaning it every couple of weeks is a good idea,” says Jensen. “Otherwise, I’d just recommend cleaning rings when they start looking a bit dull or when you notice tarnish building up.”

As for the how, follow the instructions above based on the metal. We could recommend filling a small bowl or container with warm soapy water and cleaning with a soft brush. We would also recommend doing this away from sinks or drains. Slippery and small bits of jewellery + open drains = bad idea.

Let’s face it, ears get dirty. Not only are they not cleaned as often and thoroughly as your hands or neck, they also produce their own gunk. On top of that, if you’ve had your ears pierced recently, you’ll know all about the fun ‘crusties.’

For all of those reasons, it’s not a bad idea to clean your earrings a little more often than the rest of your jewellery. Something like once a week should keep things fresh. If you need the motivation, just imagine a lover going in to kiss your neck and smelling an unclean earring. We shudder to think!

Like rings — small, slippery, prone to falling down drains and being lost forever in the abyss of urban city pipes — throw them in a little bowl with some soapy water and scrub carefully away from sinks.

If you’re just wearing a simple chain, it shouldn’t need too much upkeep. Although there is a lot of cologne and sweat around that area, it’s less traffic than other places on the body.

As Jensen recommends, “For chains and bracelets, cleaning them about once a month is a good routine to keep them looking shiny and fresh.”

Bracelets are quite similar to necklaces, see above.

Watches are a different beast, altogether. For an in-depth watch cleaning tutorial, please see our guide here.

OK, now we’re into the advanced courses. If your jewellery includes stones, it can affect the way you clean it.

First thing to do is to work out what kind of stone it is, which will affect how you clean it. For diamonds, which are the hardest of the gemstones, the usual method of soapy water and brush is fine.

From there, gems do get softer and therefore more volatile to clean. As you get down to things like quartz (amethysts, citrines, etc), we would recommend cutting out the soap and scrubbing very gently with warm water only.

One of the most beautiful, but softest stones out there are pearls — meaning you have to tread carefully if you’re rocking one. “Pearls do require a little extra care but if you treat them right they can last many lifetimes!” says Melanie Georgacopoulos, head designer of Tasaki. Use care to clean the band (again: water, no soap), and the pearl itself should be cleaned with a “a microfiber polishing cloth”.

Other than cleaning, “The most important tip is to shield your pearls from any situations where they could be exposed to knocks, scratches, high temperatures or chemicals — this means your pearls should not be worn to the gym, when bathing, swimming or cleaning for example.

“It's a good idea to put on your jewellery last after applying any lotions, hair products or cologne. When you're not wearing your pearl jewellery, and especially when travelling, you should keep it protected in a soft pouch or in a jewellery box with compartments to ensures it is protected from other items that may scratch its surface. Whenever necessary, use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean your pearls.”

Every so often, it’s nice to give your jewellery a proper spa day. At a professional cleaners, you’ll be able to get those scratches buffed out, and you’ll also be able to fix minor issues like clasps, loose prongs or scratches to stones.

If you’ve purchased your piece from a designer, we always recommend going back to them to see if they offer cleaning or repair services. Most often, the people who made the jewellery know how to care for it best and actually prefer to do so.

If they don’t offer servicing, your local jewellers will — and it’s always nice to support small businesses.

Otherwise, there are a range of specialty chains in the UK that do servicing.

Timpsons2,100 locations across the UK

Goldsmiths156 locations across the UK

Diamond Heaven9 stores across the UK