How to Clean Gold and Diamond Jewellery at Home

Gold and diamond jewellery is made to be enjoyed. A favourite ring, bracelet or pair of earrings becomes part of daily life - worn to work, celebrations, weekends away and ordinary moments in between.

With regular wear, though, jewellery naturally collects a layer of everyday residue. Hand cream, soap, sunscreen, perfume, natural skin oils and dust can build up around settings and underneath stones. Gold may look less bright, and diamonds can appear less lively than they did when freshly cleaned.

The good news is that many gold and diamond pieces can be refreshed safely at home with a simple, gentle routine. The important word is gentle.

Jewellery is not household cutlery. Strong chemicals, abrasive cloths and quick online cleaning “hacks” can damage metal, loosen settings or harm certain gemstones. A careful approach will help preserve the beauty and condition of your jewellery for years to come.

Why regular cleaning matters

Cleaning is not only about restoring shine.

When you clean jewellery carefully, you also have an opportunity to inspect it. You may notice that a claw looks worn, a stone has shifted slightly, a clasp is not closing as firmly as before or a ring has collected residue in a difficult-to-reach area.

Catching these things early can help prevent further damage or the loss of a stone.

Regular light cleaning is usually better than waiting until jewellery looks visibly dull. It keeps build-up manageable and gives you a better sense of the condition of the pieces you wear most often.

How often you clean jewellery depends on how often you wear it. Everyday rings and earrings may benefit from a gentle clean every few weeks. Pieces worn only occasionally may need less frequent attention.

The simple method for gold and diamond jewellery

For uncomplicated gold and diamond jewellery, the safest at-home approach is often the simplest.

You will need:

• A small bowl

• Lukewarm water

• A small amount of mild dish soap

• A very soft toothbrush or soft jewellery brush

• A soft, lint-free cloth

Step 1: Prepare lukewarm soapy water

Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water. Add a small amount of mild dish soap and stir gently.

Avoid very hot water. Sudden temperature changes are not ideal for jewellery, particularly if a piece contains delicate gemstones or has older settings.

Step 2: Soak briefly

Place the jewellery in the water for a few minutes. This allows the soap solution to loosen light build-up from the metal and around the settings.

Do not leave jewellery soaking for hours. A short soak is usually enough for routine cleaning.

Step 3: Brush gently

Use a very soft toothbrush or jewellery brush to clean the piece with light pressure.

Pay particular attention to areas where residue often collects:

• Underneath diamonds

• Around claw settings

• Along the inside of ring bands

• Between bracelet links

• Around clasps

• Behind earring settings

The goal is to loosen build-up, not to scrub the jewellery aggressively. Use soft, controlled strokes and avoid forcing the brush into delicate areas.

Step 4: Rinse carefully

Rinse the jewellery under lukewarm water. Use a bowl or plug the basin first so that a small earring, pendant or ring cannot disappear down the drain.

Make sure all soap residue is removed. Leftover soap can create a film that makes diamonds look less bright.

Step 5: Dry thoroughly

Pat the jewellery dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Let it air dry fully before placing it back in a jewellery box or pouch.

Avoid rough paper towels, tissues or fabric with a textured surface, as these can catch on claws or leave fibres behind.

Diamonds can look dull even when they are clean

A diamond’s brilliance comes from the way it handles light. When oil, lotion or soap builds up on the surface, it can reduce the crisp contrast that makes a diamond look bright.

This does not mean the diamond has lost its quality. It simply means it needs gentle cleaning.

The underside of a diamond is often where the most build-up collects. In rings and earrings, this area can be difficult to reach, which is why a soft brush is useful.

However, take care around the setting. If claws are worn, lifted or loose, vigorous brushing could make the problem worse. If you have any reason to think a stone is not secure, do not clean it at home until a jeweller has checked it.

For more information about diamonds and settings, read our guide to how to tell if a diamond is genuine.

What not to use on gold and diamond jewellery

Many common household products are too harsh for fine jewellery.

Avoid using:

• Toothpaste

• Baking soda pastes

• Bleach

• Chlorine

• Powder cleaners

• Steel wool

• Scouring pads

• Rough brushes

• Abrasive polishing cloths on delicate pieces

• Strong chemical jewellery dips unless specifically recommended

Toothpaste is a particularly common mistake. It can be abrasive and may scratch polished metal surfaces over time. Bleach and chlorine can damage or weaken certain jewellery materials and settings.

Jewellery should also be removed before swimming in chlorinated pools or using strong household cleaning products.

Be cautious with ultrasonic cleaners

Ultrasonic cleaners use vibration to loosen dirt. They can be useful for certain robust jewellery items, but they are not suitable for every piece.

Do not automatically place antique, vintage, delicate or gemstone-set jewellery into an ultrasonic cleaner.

Use extra caution with:

• Emeralds

• Opals

• Pearls

• Turquoise

• Coral

• Lapis lazuli

• Malachite

• Cameos

• Enamel jewellery

• Antique jewellery

• Jewellery with visible fractures or delicate settings

• Pieces with glued stones or older repairs

Even diamond jewellery may not be suitable if the setting is worn or a stone is loose. An ultrasonic cleaner can reveal a pre-existing setting problem at the worst possible moment.

If you are uncertain, choose the gentle soap-and-water method or ask a jeweller for advice.

Cleaning white gold, yellow gold and platinum

Different precious metals have different visual characteristics, but the gentle cleaning method above is generally suitable for uncomplicated gold and diamond jewellery.

Yellow gold is valued for its warm colour. White gold has a cooler appearance and may be rhodium plated to create a bright white finish. Over time, that plating can wear naturally, particularly on rings that are worn daily.

Platinum has a naturally pale, dense appearance and may develop a soft patina over time. Many people enjoy this character, while others prefer to have the piece professionally polished.

Do not try to remove significant scratches or restore a high polish at home. Aggressive polishing removes a tiny amount of metal each time and is best left to a professional who understands the design and condition of the piece.

If you would like to understand the differences between precious metals, read our guide to 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold versus platinum.

Special care for pre-owned, vintage and antique jewellery

Pre-owned jewellery often has details that deserve extra care.

Older settings may have finer claws, hand engraving, delicate filigree or stones that are more vulnerable than modern diamonds. A vintage ring may look robust at first glance but still need gentler handling than a newly made piece.

Before cleaning a pre-owned piece at home, inspect it carefully. If you see worn claws, cracks, movement in a stone, loose links, unusual discolouration or a damaged clasp, do not soak or brush it until you have sought professional advice.

The same caution applies to jewellery with unknown gemstones. If you do not know what the stones are, assume they may need specialised care.

Our article on how Miller Gold & Co authenticates pre-owned jewellery explains why the material, setting and condition of older pieces are considered so carefully.

Check your jewellery while you clean it

Cleaning gives you a natural opportunity to inspect the parts of jewellery that may receive the most wear.

For rings, look at:

• The claws holding diamonds or gemstones

• The thickness of the band

• Any signs of bending or cracking

• Whether stones appear level and secure

• The underside of the setting

For bracelets and necklaces, check:

• Clasps and safety catches

• Links for distortion or separation

• Hinges and articulation

• Areas that rub against the wrist or clothing

For earrings, inspect:

• Posts

• Butterfly backs, screw backs or locking backs

• The setting around each stone

• Any looseness or bending

If something does not look right, stop wearing the item until it can be assessed. A small repair is often much easier than replacing a lost diamond or repairing significant damage.

Everyday habits that keep jewellery cleaner

A few simple habits can reduce how often jewellery needs deep cleaning.

Remove rings and bracelets before applying hand cream, sunscreen, perfume or hair products. Put jewellery on last when getting ready, and take it off first when you return home.

Avoid wearing fine jewellery while exercising, gardening, cleaning, swimming or doing manual work. These activities increase the risk of knocks, scratches, chemical exposure and loss.

When not wearing jewellery, store each piece separately where possible. Soft-lined boxes, fabric pouches and individual compartments help reduce scratching and tangling.

When to ask a jeweller for professional help

At-home cleaning is ideal for routine care, but some situations require a professional.

Ask a jeweller to inspect or clean your piece if:

• A diamond or gemstone feels loose

• A claw appears worn or damaged

• A clasp is unreliable

• The item is antique, vintage or delicate

• The piece contains pearls, opals, emeralds or unknown gemstones

• You want scratches professionally polished

• The jewellery has not been checked in several years

• You are unsure how to care for a specific material or setting

Professional cleaning can be paired with a condition check, giving you confidence that the piece remains secure and ready to wear.

Keep the pieces you love ready to wear

Jewellery care does not need to be complicated. Gentle cleaning, thoughtful storage and regular inspections can help gold and diamond pieces keep their beauty for years.

The aim is not to make every piece look brand new. It is to preserve its condition, protect its craftsmanship and enjoy it with confidence.

For help with a special pre-owned item, a diamond setting or a piece that needs professional attention, contact Miller Gold & Co. You can also browse our pre-owned jewellery collection for pieces selected with character, quality and lasting wear in mind.