Jewelry Cleaning Checklist

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 tarnishUse a silver polishing cloth or a jar or bottle of silver cleaning fluid.
• Use a soft rag or cloth with the silver cleaning fluidThe tarnish will come off on the rag.
• Use a rag with silver-cleaning paste for jewelry with intricate designsThe 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.