Ideally, rings are simply cleaned when you wash your hands. Necklaces and especially earrings, however, require regular, targeted cleaning.
A fine, soft make-up brush is often faster and more thorough than an ultrasonic bath. Briefly soak the jewelry in a bowl of lukewarm water with a little soap. Then hold it firmly 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 very 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 prevents water spots and residue.
A fine, soft make-up brush is important. A hard brush, like a toothbrush, should not be used.
Try not to move the jewelry around in the bowl while doing this, as silver or gold could get scratched against the bowl. Therefore, always hold the jewelry firmly with your hands while it is submerged.
With older jewelry that has been worn for a very long time, any plating may wear off over time. In this case, even a soft brush could further wear away the already damaged plating. Therefore, clean such jewelry with extra care.
Find out more in our blog:
Cleaning jewelry with ultrasonic – why a fine brush is better