Have your rings lost their sparkle? Is your favorite silver necklace looking a bit worse for wear? If you're not already cleaning your jewelry regularly, you'll be surprised at the difference it will make. Jewelry is constantly exposed to wear and tear from skin oils, lotion, hairspray, and moisture, which can cause tarnishing and buildup. And most of the time, it's not necessary to have it professionally cleaned; get yourself a solid jewelry cleaner and let it soak the gunk off in a matter of minutes.
Simple Shine's Gentle Jewelry Cleaner Solution is our top pick for a cleaner that's non-toxic and can be used on all types of jewelry. But if you're looking for something else, we have nine more options below to make your diamonds shine and your silver sparkle. If you're not sure what type of jewelry cleaner to look for, check out our buying guide, which will help you pick a cleaner that's appropriate for your collection.
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Table of Contents
Before you buy a jewelry cleaner, make sure you know what your jewelry is made of so you can choose an appropriate formula. Using a cleaner that's too harsh can cause damage, discoloration, and loss of clarity.
While some jewelry cleaners can be used on all metals, others are formulated specifically for certain materials. Always check the manufacturer’s description to see what metals the cleaner is appropriate for.
When sterling silver is exposed to air, it will tarnish, or oxidize, and become discolored. This is a natural process that doesn’t damage the metal itself. To clean sterling silver and silver-plated items, you want to remove the tarnish and polish the surface, which will help delay oxidization.
You can use a cleaning solution to soak your jewelry and a brush to remove any stubborn dirt. Once your jewelry is clean and dry, use a polishing cloth to shine it. You can also find two-step cloths made for silver that have a cleaning side and a polishing side.
If your jewelry is heavily tarnished, look for a solution that's specifically formulated to remove tarnish. All-purpose or delicate cleaners usually won't cut it; you'll need something a bit stronger.
While pure 24 karat gold doesn’t oxidize, it’s rare to find pure gold jewelry because gold is a relatively soft metal. Jewelers typically combine it with other metals to increase its durability.
Look for a solution formulated specifically for gold and be gentle with the cleaning. For discoloration or tarnishing, use a soft cloth to buff your jewelry once it’s dry.
Another popular choice for fine jewelry, platinum, is stronger and more durable than gold. It doesn’t tarnish, but over time it takes on a satiny finish known as a patina, which results from tiny scratches on the surface reflecting light.
Cleaning won’t remove the patina, but polishing can. Many cleaning solutions that work on gold and silver also work on platinum but be sure to double-check just to be safe!
If your jewelry includes gemstones, it’s important to pick a cleaner that’s appropriate for the stone to avoid discoloration and damage. Check the product description to make sure your stone is listed.
Stones can either be porous or non-porous. Porous stones contain microscopic holes that water and other liquids can get into, while non-porous stones are essentially waterproof.
Diamonds, garnets, rubies, sapphires, and amethyst are all examples of non-porous stones. Because they’re durable, they’re fairly easy to clean and can hold up to most jewelry cleaners.
On the other hand, porous gemstones require more attention. They should never be submerged in water, which can seep into the gems and cause damage. Porous gemstones include pearls, opals, emeralds, coral, and amber. Look for a solution that’s formulated specifically to clean porous gemstones to prevent loss in clarity or color.
Aside from the materials we’ve covered above, there’s a whole other category of jewelry that uses non-precious metals and stones. It’s often referred to as fashion jewelry or costume jewelry.
This type of jewelry will use more affordable metals like aluminum, brass, and copper, as well as faux gemstones made from plastic or glass. These materials tend to show wear and tear more easily than fine jewelry. In addition, the stones are usually affixed with glue, which can loosen with harsh cleaning.
If your jewelry falls into this category, look for a cleaning solution that’s made specifically for fashion or costume jewelry.
Most jewelry needs to be soaked in a solution, then rinsed and dried. However, there a few different ways to do this. Some solutions come in a tub with a dipping basket. Just put your jewelry into the basket and dip it into the solution - there’s nothing to clean up afterward.
However, this only works for small pieces like rings and earrings that can fit in the basket. For larger jewelry, like chunky necklaces, you’ll want to put the solution into a dish or tray. You might want to look for a larger amount of solution since you’ll need more of it to fully cover larger items.
There are also jewelry wipes and cloths, which can be used to both clean and polish. For travel or cleaning away from home, some manufacturers make portable jewelry cleaners that hold the solution in a small tube with a brush tip.
If your jewelry is made from multiple materials, always pick a solution tailored to the most delicate one. For example, pearl earrings set in sterling silver need a gentle solution so as not to damage the pearls.
Simple Shine's jewelry cleaning solution is gentle enough to use daily on a wide range of stones, from hard stones like diamonds to porous stones like pearls. It's also appropriate for metals of all types. The formula is non-toxic and biodegradable, with no ammonia or abrasive chemicals.
The container comes with a tray and brush inside and takes just a two-minute soak to work its magic. The manufacturer notes that if your goal is to clean deeply tarnished silver, they make a product specifically for silver that will better suit your needs.
Some reviewers complained that the bristles fell out of the brush easily. Others didn't see much improvement in their jewelry. However, most reviewers said this cleaner was great for soft, porous stones and found that it cleaned both the stones and the settings. They liked that the formula is gentle and earth-friendly.
Use Weiman's jewelry cleaner to remove tarnish, soap gunk, and other residue from your gold, platinum, and precious stone jewelry. It comes with a built-in tray that holds your jewelry as it soaks and takes just 30 minutes or less. Note that it's not recommended for use on porous stones.
Some reviewers said that the tray handle was too short, causing them to have to dip their fingers in the solution to remove it. Others complained of a strong ammonia smell. Some reviewers who used this to clean sterling silver said it wasn't effective at removing tarnish.
On the other hand, the majority of reviewers said this solution made their jewelry sparkle and shine. They appreciated the included brush, which can be used to scrub off dirt and debris. And many reviewers who used this to clean diamond rings were pleased with the results!
The Diamond Dazzle Stik is designed for convenience. At just five inches long, it's about the size of a tube of lip gloss, so it's easy to throw in your purse or bag for quick touch-ups. You twist the pen to dispense the cleaning solution, which flows out through the brush at the end.
The long, soft bristles are ideal for cleaning diamonds and other precious stones and getting any dirt trapped in their settings. The solution contains micro-fine cleansers and polymers that fill in tiny scratches for a smooth and shiny finish.
Some reviewers said this product had no visible effect on their rings. Others complained that the solution had dried out. However, many other reviewers found it to be easy to use and said it left their rings super sparkly. They loved the compact size and said it was perfect for travel.
This two-step cleaning product is used dry and requires no water or other tools. Use the light-colored inner cloth to remove built-up dirt and tarnish from your jewelry, then buff and polish with the dark outer cloth. The cloth is made from 100 percent natural cotton fiber and can also be used on watches and silver tableware.
Some reviewers warned that they had to apply a lot of pressure and spend a long time scrubbing in order to see results. On the other hand, many reviewers saw a huge difference in their silver jewelry, even for pieces that were completely blackened. They said it brought their necklaces, bracelets, charms, and more back to life.
Sparkle Bright's All-Natural Jewelry Cleaner is made from plant-based ingredients that are biodegradable and non-toxic. It works on nearly every metal and stone, including fine and fashion jewelry, diamonds, pearls, gold, and silver. The formula is gentle enough to be used every day as well as in an ultrasonic cleaner.
The container comes with a dipper tray and a brush. You can also purchase this cleaner in a two-ounce travel spray bottle, or in larger quantities up to one gallon to clean larger items or refill your tub. Note it does not remove tarnish.
The main complaint reviewers had across the board was that the container leaks and the solution spills out each time you open it. However, many of them could overlook this design flaw because the cleaner works so well. They said their jewelry came out clean and sparkling and appreciated that there was no chemical scent.
This one fro Connoisseurs is made specifically for delicate jewelry with an ammonia-free formula. It's safe for pearls and other soft stones like coral, opal, and turquoise, as well as fashion jewelry. It comes with a dipping tray and brush.
Some reviewers complained that it didn't clean their jewelry any better than soap and water. However, most reviewers said it was easy to use and left their jewelry sparkling. They especially appreciated the gentle formula, which they could use on porous stones and delicate vintage jewelry.
For heavily tarnished silver jewelry, Hagerty's Silver Cleaner should do the trick. It's formulated to remove tarnish, clean, and shine, and comes with a dipping basket. It's intended for sterling silver and silver-plated jewelry only, so avoid using this to clean other metals and porous stones.
The main complaint reviewers had was that this solution smells like rotten eggs. A couple of reviewers also said it gave their silver jewelry a yellow haze after cleaning, although that did come off with polishing. Still, the majority of reviewers said this stuff really works, even on jewelry that has so much oxidation it looks black.
These disposable jewelry wipes are perfect for travel or when you unexpectedly need a quick shine. They come in a compact case so they'll easily fit in your bag, and require no water. You can use them on both gold and silver to remove tarnish, polish the surface, and add an anti-tarnish shield.
Some reviewers said the wipes seemed dried out and didn't work as well as a polishing cloth. Others noted that the tarnish can transfer from the cloth to your fingers, so you may want to wear gloves.
Still, many reviewers said these wipes worked well on both gold and silver. They loved the convenience of the small package and said these are a great alternative to traveling with liquid cleaners.
Caribbean Gem uses all-natural banana and coconut oil to formulate their jewelry cleaner, which is safe for all types of jewelry. Whether you're cleaning a diamond ring, silver watch, or vintage brooch, just follow their instructions for the appropriate soaking time. This cleaner is also great for eyeglasses!
The container comes with a dipping tray and brush. If you run out of solution, you can purchase refills from 16 ounces to one gallon. Note that this product is not designed to remove tarnish from silver.
Some reviewers said this cleaner didn't work on their sterling silver jewelry and even caused it to tarnish further. On the other hand, many reviewers said it did a fantastic job on gold and gems. They found it to be easy to use and it made their jewelry sparkle like new. They also thought the tropical scent was lovely.
The Baublerella Bling Brush is ready for a quick clean whenever you are. Simply twist the stick to release the liquid and use the brush to clean the buildup off your stones and their settings. The formula is non-toxic, free of harsh chemicals, and has no odor, so you can even use it in the car en route to a fancy dinner.
A handful of reviewers said the fluid seemed dried out or didn't dispense. However, most reviewers loved how easy the Bling Brush is to use. They said it cleaned their rings and made them shine and sparkle. And many recommended it as an excellent engagement gift!
As you can tell from the product reviews we've curated, silver tends to be finicky when it comes to jewelry cleaners. If you're not willing to risk it, try some of these easy and fairly accessible alternatives.
Depending on the piece, jewelry can be bold and colorful or delicate and understated. Make sure you have the right accessory at the right time with more of our favorite jewelry products below.
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