Cleaning Gold
- Prepare a solution of 2 cups warm water with a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid.
- Soak gold in the prepared solution for 15 minutes.
- Gently scrub the gold with a soft bristle toothbrush.
- Rinse with warm water and dry with a soft jewelry cloth.
Cleaning Silver
- Rinse silver in warm water and pat dry.
- Remove silver tarnish. Use a silver polishing cloth or a jar or bottle of silver cleaning fluid.
- Use a soft rag or cloth with the silver cleaning fluid. The tarnish will come off on the rag.
- Use a rag with silver-cleaning paste for jewelry with intricate designs. The paste will get into and clean the crevices.
- Rinse quickly in lukewarm water.
- Wipe completely dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Cleaning Diamonds and Platinum
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup water and 1/4 cup amonia.
- Soak jewelry in the prepared solution for 20 minutes.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush.
- Rinse with warm water, and lay on a cloth to dry.
- An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner may be used on platinum and diamonds.
Cleaning Emeralds
- Prepare a solution of ;1 cup lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dishswashing liquid.
- Soak emerald for a few minutes in the prepared solution.
- If emerald is still dirty, put some soap on a soft-bristle toothbrush and gently scrub the underside of the emerald.
- Once the emerald begins to brighten, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Cleaning Pearls
- Prepare a solution of 2 cups warm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid.
- Dampen a soft, clean jewelry cloth with the prepared solution.
- Carefully rub each pearl with the dampened cloth.
- Let pearls air-dry overnight.
Cleaning Rubies and Sapphires
- Prepare a solution of 1 cup lukewarm water and mild dishwashing liquid, or 1 part amonia to 6 parts water.
- Soak gems in prepared solution for a few minutes.
- Gently scrub gems with a soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
Cleaning Opals
- Prepare a solution of 2 cups warm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid.
- Dampen a soft, clean jewelry cloth with the prepared solution.
- Rub the opals until they are clean.
- Rinse briefly in lukewarm water and pat dry.
Cleaning Amethysts, Garnets and Other Gemstones
- Prepare a solution of ;1 cup lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dishswashing liquid.
- Soak gems in prepared solution for a few minutes.
- Gently scrub gems with a soft-bristle brush.
- Rinse with warm water and pat dry.