What’s the best way to clean fine jewelry?

Rubbing the pieces you wear everyday with a soft chamois is an excellent – and easy – way to keep your jewelry sparkling.

For more intensive cleaning, fill a plastic bowl with tepid water and a little dishwashing soap or ammonia. Soak your jewelry for a few minutes and then scrub it gently with a toothbrush or other soft brush. Rinse and pat dry on a nice soft cloth that doesn’t have loose threads that could get stuck in prongs. A touch of ammonia in the rinse water will add sparkle to diamond, gold, or platinum jewelry.

Ultrasonic cleaners are great for easily cleaning jewelry with lots of nooks and crannies, but be aware that they can damage gemstones and the chemicals are not recommended for pearls. These machines are designed for certain gemstones that are not porous. Do not put emeralds, opals, pearls, or turquoise in an ultrasonic.