My old jewelry cleaner had to go. It was something my mom had purchased at a jewelry store -- a liquid that you soaked your jewelry in and then used a little brush to get in the crevices. It worked okay, but was kind of messy.

Can any of you recommend a good jewelry cleaner? I would like something fairly inexpensive - nothing too messy or that requires too many steps. I don't have fancy jewelry - just the basics: some diamonds, emeralds, amethysts, and a star sapphire.

Thanks!

I use toothpaste.





I don't have any precious gemstones, though. I don't know if it's bad for it or not, but it makes silver sparkle like nobody's business.

If it's real gold, silver, platinum, or diamonds just drop it in some ammonia for 5 minutes

Step 1

Clean diamonds and colored gems by making a solution of one part water and one part ammonia. Soak your jewelry in the solution for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water and place on a towel to dry.


Step 2

Use an old soft bristle toothbrush, if soaking doesn't clean deeply enough. Dip the brush in the cleaning solution and gently 'tap' around the mounting with the bristles of the brush, removing any dirt and grime that may have built up. Dip the ring into the solution once more to remove loose pieces, rinse and place on a towel to dry.


Step 3

Remove light tarnish from gold and silver jewelry by mixing 1/4 cup of warm water, 2 tsp. of liquid dishwashing soap and 1 tsp. of ammonia. Place the solution on a soft cloth or cotton swab and gently rub the jewelry until the tarnish is removed.


Step 4

Soak the jewelry in the tarnish solution for 30 minutes if the soft cloth or cotton swab cannot remove tarnish from detail or around mountings. Remove the jewelry and cover the head of a toothbrush with a soft cloth, rubbing gently with the covered toothbrush until the tarnish is removed. You may soak the jewelry again if necessary.


Jewelry quickly picks of dirt and grime. To keep your jewelry clean, use the ammonia solutions often and take of your jewelry when cleaning, applying make-up or lotion.

When storing your jewelry, remember that diamonds can easily scratch other jewelry, including other diamonds. Protect your jewelry by wrapping each piece in cloth.

I use a soft baby toothbrush & some vinegar

or the toothbrush and some damp (water) baking soda

you can also clean with just bubbles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...c_cleaning

Thanks for the responses. Maybe I'll try ammonia. The only one that makes me a little nervous is the star sapphire because it's not cut with facets so it can be a bit more fragile. My "googling" research found that jewelry cleaning machines should not be used for those.

I'm scurred to do it myself

I prefer to have a jeweller do it.

jone70 said:

I've cleaned rubies, diamonds, and sapphires with plain ol' ammonia, even left it overnight, without a problem. As long as it's real it should be fine. I'm not sure how a star sapphire is different than a regular one tho. BTW most "jewelry cleaners" are basically Windex which is mostly ammonia.

SCNDLS said:

Mine are all real. Star sapphires are smooth and usually a semi-sphere or oval. They are cut without facets so when the light shines on them they have a 6 pointed star inside. I LOVE THEM. The Museum of Natural History in NYC has a huge pink one. (I prefer classic blue, though.) They are sort of hard to find new and natural though -- mostly you see them at estate sales. Jewelers don't cut them that often because they have to shave off more of the stone than if they were cutting facets.

Star of India (563.35 carats, baby!):




This one nice, too. It's high and rounded, not a flat semi-sphere, and a good color; but the ebay description says it's synthetic.


(My sister-in-law, whom I can't stand, has a beautiful star sapphire ring that her mother gave her and she doesn't even wear it. It's so unfair!! )


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[Edited 12/1/09 21:47pm]

jone70 said:

Wow, those are lovely

CarrieMpls said:

But not gel. Paste works best.

Bob Green, down near Saddlestones restaurant in Bishop's Cleeve. Always did a great job for us and was handy at mending watch straps and replacing batteries too.

SCNDLS said:

Because the star sapphire is a cabochon, not faceted.

If the faceted stones have fractures filled, as many do, it might be a good idea to err on the side of caution too.