Ideally, rings are simply cleaned while you wash your hands. Chains and especially earrings, however, require regular, targeted cleaning.
A fine, soft makeup brush is often faster and more thorough than an ultrasonic bath. Briefly soak the jewelry in a bowl of lukewarm water and a little soap. Then, hold it securely with your fingers under the water and clean it carefully with the brush. Once everything is clean, rinse the jewelry with clear water and dry it carefully with a clean cloth. Paper towels are best, as they are highly absorbent and cleaner than a cloth that has been used multiple times. It is always best to dry the jewelry rather than simply letting the water evaporate. This helps to avoid water spots and residue.
A fine, soft makeup brush is important. A hard brush like a toothbrush should not be used.
Try not to move the jewelry around in the bowl, as silver or gold could get scratched against the sides. Therefore, always hold the jewelry firmly in your hands while it is underwater.
With older jewelry that has been worn for a very long time, any coating may wear off over time. In this case, even a soft brush could further abrade the already damaged coating. Therefore, clean such jewelry with extra care.
Read more about this in our blog:
Cleaning jewelry with ultrasound – why a fine brush is better