Is a homemade jewelry cleaner safe for silver and diamond pieces?

ZKZ Editorial TeamMain answer · Product & gemmology desk

Many popular recipes carry risks. The safest homemade option we found is a few drops of mild dish detergent in warm water and a soft, new brush. Avoid vinegar, baking soda, bleach and toothpaste on set jewelry, and see a jeweller for a professional clean.

What the sources say

Fact Jewelers Mutual says acidic ingredients such as vinegar and witch hazel can damage soft stones and plated jewelry, that baking soda is slightly abrasive and may scratch softer stones and metals, and that an old toothbrush may carry toothpaste residue that scratches jewelry.

Fact Jewelers Mutual recommends a few drops of dish detergent in warm, not hot, water, a short soak, gentle scrubbing with a new, baby-size, soft toothbrush, a rinse in lukewarm water and careful drying.

Fact GIA says chlorine, such as household bleach, and abrasives, such as household cleansers or toothpaste, should never be used when cleaning diamonds, especially those set in jewelry, because they can erode some metals used in settings and may loosen prongs or dissolve the metal.

Fact GIA says to avoid cleaning near the sink, or to cover the drain and use a rubber mat if the sink is the only option.

Our advice

Our advice Use the soap method for solid sterling with diamonds, and rinse and dry well.

Our advice Check that stones are secure before and after cleaning.

It depends Plated, oxidised, glued or soft-stone pieces need extra care, and a jeweller can advise.

A simple routine

1. Mix a few drops of mild dish detergent into a bowl of warm water.
2. Soak the piece for a few minutes, and longer if it is very dirty.
3. Brush gently with a new soft brush, paying attention to the back of the stone.
4. Rinse in a clean bowl of lukewarm water, never over an open drain.
5. Pat dry with a soft cloth.

Our advice Do this over a towel, so that a dropped ring lands softly.

Uncertain We could not verify how aluminium foil and baking soda recipes affect sterling silver, so we do not recommend them.

Related reading: Is an ultrasonic cleaner safe for a silver diamond ring? · How to Choose 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry for a Lab Grown Diamond Line

Sources

• Jewelers Mutual, Using a homemade jewelry cleaner? Avoid these 3
• GIA 4Cs, How to clean your diamond jewelry

Fact = stated by the cited source. Our advice = editorial recommendation. Uncertain / it depends = limits of what can be said in general.