How to Care for Fine Jewelry
Most fine jewelry needs only warm water, a little mild dish soap and a soft brush. Take jewelry off for cleaning, swimming, the gym and bedtime, store pieces apart so they donβt scratch, and have rings and settings checked every six months to a year. A few gems need gentler care, so check yours below.
How to clean fine jewelry at home, which gems are safe for ultrasonic and steam cleaning, what to avoid, how to store it, and a simple care schedule.
By Amit Jhalani, third-generation jeweler Β· Updated October 2026
| Everyday cleaning | Warm water, mild soap, soft brush |
|---|---|
| Avoid | Chlorine, bleach, harsh cleaners |
| Ultrasonic | Diamond, sapphire, ruby only (no fractures) |
| Store | Separately, in soft pouches |
| Check settings | Every 6β12 months |
| White gold | Re-rhodium every year or two |
| Our promise | Lifetime craftsmanship coverage |
How to Clean Fine Jewelry at Home
Soak the piece for a few minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush (especially under the stone, where oil and lotion build up), rinse in clean warm water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Close the sink drain or use a bowl first. This is safe for nearly all fine jewelry; pearls and opals just need a quick wipe instead of a soak.
Gem-by-Gem Cleaning Chart
Which cleaning method is safe for each stone. When in doubt, use soap and water.
| Stone | Hardness | Soap & water | Ultrasonic | Steam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond (natural, lab) | 10 | Yes | Usually safe* | Usually safe* |
| Moissanite | 9.25 | Yes | Usually safe | Usually safe |
| Sapphire, ruby | 9 | Yes | Usually safe* | Usually safe* |
| Alexandrite | 8.5 | Yes | Usually safe | Usually safe |
| Topaz | 8 | Yes | No | No |
| Aquamarine, morganite | 7.5β8 | Yes | Usually safe if clean | No |
| Emerald | 7.5β8 | Gently | No | No |
| Garnet, tourmaline | 7β7.5 | Yes | Not advised | No |
| Amethyst, citrine | 7 | Yes | Usually safe | No |
| Peridot | 6.5β7 | Yes | No | No |
| Tanzanite | 6.5 | Gently | No | No |
| Opal | 5.5β6.5 | Wipe only | No | No |
| Pearl | 2.5β4.5 | Wipe only | No | No |
*Not for stones with fractures, fillings or coatings, or salt and pepper and black diamonds with surface-reaching cracks. Ultrasonic vibration can also loosen stones in worn settings, so check prongs first.
What to Avoid
Chlorine is the biggest enemy: pool and hot-tub water can damage gold alloys over time, so take rings off before swimming. Also avoid bleach, household cleaners, toothpaste and abrasive powders, which scratch metal and dull stones. Put jewelry on last, after lotion, perfume and hairspray. Avoid sudden temperature changes for opal, emerald and tanzanite, and keep pearls away from acids and cosmetics.
Care by Metal
Our metals are never plated or filled; white gold carries a rhodium finish.
| Metal | Everyday care | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow & rose gold | Soap, water, soft cloth | 14K is harder than 18K |
| White gold | Soap, water, soft cloth | Rhodium finish wears with daily wear; re-plate every year or two to restore its bright white |
| Platinum | Soap, water, soft cloth | Develops a soft patina; can be polished back to a shine |
| Blackened gold | Gentle soap and water only | Avoid polishing cloths and abrasives, which remove the dark finish |
| Sterling silver | Polishing cloth, anti-tarnish storage | Tarnishes in air; store in sealed bags |
How to Store Jewelry
Store each piece separately, in a fabric-lined box or soft pouch, so harder stones and metals donβt scratch softer ones; diamonds can scratch everything else. Fasten chains so they donβt tangle, lay pearl strands flat, and keep silver in anti-tarnish bags. Pearls and opals prefer some air and humidity, so avoid sealing them airtight for long periods. Use a padded case for travel.
Check Your Settings
Every few weeks, hold your ring near your ear and tap it gently: a rattle means a loose stone. Look for prongs that are bent, flattened or catching on fabric, and stones that turn in their setting. Have rings worn daily professionally checked every six months to a year, and bring any piece in at the first sign of a problem. Our lifetime promise covers craftsmanship under normal wear.
A Simple Care Schedule
Small habits keep fine jewelry looking new.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every day | Take rings off for cleaning, gym, swimming and sleep; put jewelry on last |
| Weekly | Soap-and-water clean for rings worn daily |
| Monthly | Clean pieces worn often; check clasps and prongs |
| Every 6β12 months | Professional check and clean for rings worn daily |
| Every 1β2 years | Re-rhodium white gold worn daily; restring pearls worn often |
Jewelry Care FAQs
How do I clean fine jewelry at home?
Soak it for a few minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
Is an ultrasonic cleaner safe for jewelry?
For diamonds, sapphires and rubies without fractures or fillings, usually yes. Avoid it for emerald, opal, pearl, tanzanite, topaz, peridot and treated or coated stones, and check prongs first.
What should you not clean jewelry with?
Avoid bleach, chlorine, household cleaners, toothpaste and abrasive powders. They can damage metal and dull or scratch stones.
Can I wear my rings in the pool?
Take them off. Chlorine can damage gold alloys over time, and cold water can make rings slip off.
How often should jewelry be professionally checked?
Rings worn daily should be checked every six months to a year for loose stones and worn prongs.
How often does white gold need re-plating?
White gold has a rhodium finish that wears with daily use; rings worn every day usually need re-plating every year or two.
How should I store fine jewelry?
Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined box so harder stones don't scratch softer ones, fasten chains, lay pearls flat, and keep silver in anti-tarnish bags.
How do I clean pearls and opals?
Wipe them with a soft, damp cloth after wearing. Don't soak them, and keep them away from ultrasonic cleaners, steam, chemicals and sudden heat.
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Sources: GIA, Tips on Caring for Jewelry Β· GIA Gem Encyclopedia.
Clarity is a Form of Luxury.