How to Clean Jewellery at Home: Gold, Silver, Diamonds and More
Wondering how to clean jewellery at home? Discover how to clean gold, silver, and diamonds safely, why jewellery tarnishes, and easy tips to keep it sparkling.
It’s inevitable that even the highest quality jewellery changes over time. Dark spots, lost sparkles, silver turning black… it’s all a part of the process. But with regular cleaning and som TLC, you can help your jewellery come back to life - and keep it in good condition for years to come.
Whether you’re wearing gold, silver, diamonds, or semi-precious stones, here’s our ultimate guide on how to clean different types of jewellery at home - and keep them looking their best, year after year.
Problem: Your Gold Lost Its' Shine
Solution: Gold jewellery is beloved for its durability and timeless glow. Over time, though, oils, lotions, and perfume can dull its brilliance. Follow these four simple steps to get your gold shining again:
- Soak your gold jewellery in warm water with a few drops of mild detergent.
- Use a soft cloth or baby toothbrush to gently scrub, especially around crevices.
- Rinse thoroughly under warm water.
- Dry with a soft cloth.
💡 Extra tip: A professional jewellery polishing cloth is perfect for giving both gold and silver pieces a quick refresh between cleanings.
Problem: Your Silver Jewellery Has Become Tarnished
Solution: Silver is elegant and versatile, but it’s also a softer metal and prone to tarnish. Handle gently, with these four steps for quick and easy silver jewellery cleaning:
- Use a silver cleaning cloth for light tarnish.
- For deeper cleaning, mix warm water with a mild dish soap.
- Dip a soft cloth into the solution and rub gently to lift dirt or tarnish.
- Rinse under warm water and dry carefully.
⚠️ Always avoid harsh scrubbing — silver scratches easily.
Problem: Your Diamond Ring Has Lost Its' Sparkle
Solution: Diamonds are dazzling, but even they can look cloudy when coated in soap or lotion. While the best thing do is to take it to a jeweller for a thorough cleanse at least once a year (trust us, this makes all the difference and you won't regret it!), there are things your can do to keep them sparkly in-between.
- Soak in warm soapy water for 20–30 minutes.
- Use a soft toothbrush to gently brush around the stone and setting.
- Rinse under warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.
This method works for most semi-precious stones too, though some porous gems (like opals or pearls) need special care, (so don't use this on these stones as they will be damaged) — when in doubt, check with a jeweller.
Problem: Your Gold Plated Jewellery Has Developed Dark Spots
Solution: Gold plating is just a thin layer over another metal, which means moisture, sweat, and air can eventually cause tarnish or spots.
Although goldplated jewellery can be more difficult to clean, since the gold layer can tarnish and or even disappear with time - there are things your can do to make them shine with a few couple tips:
- Wipe gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Use mild soap and water for a deeper clean, then dry completely. ( make sure to be very gentle as you can rub off the gold depending on how thick the layer of gold is)
If the plating is badly worn, a jeweller can polish or replate the piece to restore its shine.
Problem: Your White Gold Is Turning Yellow
Solution: White gold is usually plated with rhodium to give it a bright finish. When this plating wears away, the natural warm tone of gold shows through. This is completely normal — and easy to fix. Simply have the piece re-plated by a jeweller every 1–2 years to bring back its brilliant white look.
However, for normal cleaning of white gold, use the same steps as for yellow gold above.
Jewellery is meant to be worn, loved and enjoyed, and with the right care, it will stay just as brilliant and shiny as the day you got it. A general tip is to store your favourite pieces in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, and to keep them in a jewellery box in separate compartments to avoid scratching and tangling.
It’s completely normal for jewellery to change with time, and whether it’s refreshing gold, polishing silver, or restoring the sparkle to diamonds, cleaning your jewellery at home is easier than you might think. And when in doubt, ask a jeweller for advice - or reach us to us, we’re always happy to help!
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And if you ever need more than a quick fix, our jewellery experts are here to advise you, and you can always shop safely with us.
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