What Do Jewelers Use to Clean Jewelry? Professional Cleaning Explained
Have you ever picked up a piece of jewelry after a professional cleaning and wondered how the jeweler got it looking so bright again?
Professional jewelers have access to tools that can remove oils, lotion, dirt and buildup from places that are difficult to reach at home. Depending on the jewelry, they may use an ultrasonic cleaner, steam, specialized cleaning solutions, polishing equipment—or simply a gentle hand cleaning.
But there's an important catch: not every cleaning method is safe for every piece of jewelry.
Here's how professional jewelry cleaning works and why a jeweler should look at what your piece is made from before deciding how to clean it.
1. Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners
An ultrasonic cleaner is one of the tools most commonly associated with professional jewelry cleaning.
The machine sends high-frequency sound waves through a liquid cleaning solution. This creates microscopic bubbles that help loosen oils, dirt and debris from the jewelry—including buildup hiding around settings and in tiny spaces that are difficult to reach with a cloth or brush.
For the right piece of jewelry, ultrasonic cleaning can be extremely effective.
What happens during ultrasonic cleaning?
A jeweler generally:
- Inspects the jewelry and determines whether ultrasonic cleaning is appropriate.
- Places the piece in a basket inside the cleaning machine.
- Runs the ultrasonic cycle using an appropriate cleaning solution.
- Removes and rinses the jewelry.
- Inspects the piece again before finishing the cleaning process.
The inspection part is important because ultrasonic cleaners are not safe for every gemstone or piece of jewelry.
Can All Jewelry Go in an Ultrasonic Cleaner?
No.
The vibrations and heat created during ultrasonic cleaning can damage certain gemstones, treatments and settings.
Examples of jewelry that may require a different cleaning method include pieces containing:
- Pearls
- Opals
- Emeralds, especially fracture-filled stones
- Turquoise
- Amber
- Coral
- Malachite
- Some heat-treated or fracture-filled gemstones
- Loose or damaged stone settings
This is one reason buying a small ultrasonic machine doesn't automatically mean every piece in your jewelry box should go into it.
If you don't know what a stone is or whether it has been treated, gentle cleaning is usually the safer choice.
2. Professional Steam Cleaning
Some jewelers also use professional steam cleaners.
These machines direct a concentrated stream of pressurized steam at the jewelry to help remove residue and cleaning solution from hard-to-reach areas.
Steam can leave suitable jewelry looking exceptionally clean without leaving behind polishing cloth fibers or cleaner residue.
But just like ultrasonic cleaning, steam isn't safe for every gemstone.
Heat and sudden temperature changes can damage some stones, and treated gemstones may be especially sensitive.
For example, steam should not be used on pearls or opals, and it can be risky for many emeralds because heat can affect the oils or resins commonly used to fill their fractures.
3. Professional Jewelry Cleaning Solutions
Professional jewelers also use cleaning solutions selected for the type of metal and gemstone they're working with.
These solutions help break down oils, lotions and other residue that accumulate during normal wear.
There isn't one universal “professional jewelry cleaner” that's perfect for everything.
A solution that works well on one metal or gemstone may be too harsh for another, which is why identifying the materials in the jewelry matters before cleaning begins.
4. Soft Brushes and Hand Cleaning
Sometimes the safest professional method is also the simplest.
A jeweler may clean a piece by hand using warm water, an appropriate mild cleaning solution and a very soft brush.
This method provides more control around delicate gemstones and settings.
Warm, soapy water is also the cleaning method GIA recommends for many gemstones that should not be placed in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
5. Polishing Jewelry
Cleaning and polishing aren't exactly the same thing.
Cleaning removes things sitting on the jewelry, such as:
- Skin oils
- Lotion
- Soap residue
- Dirt
- Cosmetics
Polishing works on the actual surface of the metal and may be used to reduce the appearance of small scratches and restore shine.
Professional jewelers may use polishing wheels, compounds and other equipment depending on the metal and finish.
Because polishing can remove a tiny amount of material from the surface, it isn't something every piece needs every time it is cleaned.
Why Does Professionally Cleaned Jewelry Look So Much Better?
A surprising amount of what makes jewelry look dull isn't damage at all.
Everyday products such as hand lotion, sunscreen, soap and natural skin oils can build up on metal and around gemstones.
With stone-set jewelry, buildup underneath and behind the stones can also reduce the way light moves through the piece.
A professional cleaning can reach areas you may never touch during normal at-home cleaning.
How Do Jewelers Clean Diamonds?
Many untreated diamonds in secure settings can be cleaned using professional ultrasonic and steam equipment.
However, even diamonds aren't an automatic yes.
A jeweler should first check the setting and determine whether the diamond or jewelry has any treatments that could be affected by the cleaning process.
For example, fracture-filled stones require special care.
How Do Jewelers Clean Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver can naturally develop tarnish over time.
Depending on the piece, a jeweler may use an appropriate silver-cleaning product, polishing cloth or professional polishing process to remove tarnish and restore shine.
Extra care may be needed if the silver has an intentional oxidized finish or contains delicate gemstones.
That's why it's better to identify the entire piece rather than treating all sterling silver jewelry exactly the same way.
How Do Jewelers Clean Gold Jewelry?
Solid gold jewelry can often be professionally cleaned using a combination of appropriate cleaning solution, brushing, ultrasonic cleaning and steam when the stones and construction allow it.
Gold-plated and coated jewelry should be treated differently.
Aggressive polishing can gradually remove a surface coating, so knowing whether a piece is solid gold, gold-filled, vermeil, plated or PVD-coated matters before cleaning it.
Not sure what those terms mean? Read our guide to common jewelry materials →
What Is the Safest Way to Clean Jewelry at Home?
For many durable pieces, gentle cleaning is all you need.
A simple routine may include:
- Warm water
- A small amount of mild dish soap
- A very soft toothbrush or jewelry brush
- A soft, lint-free cloth
But the safest method always depends on the materials in your jewelry.
Pearls, opals, treated gemstones, plated jewelry and delicate pieces can require different care.
If you aren't sure what your jewelry is made from, avoid experimenting with strong chemicals, abrasive cleaners or an ultrasonic machine.
When Should You Take Jewelry to a Professional?
Professional cleaning makes the most sense when:
- Your jewelry has valuable or unfamiliar gemstones.
- A stone feels loose.
- The setting looks damaged.
- There is heavy buildup you can't safely remove.
- You aren't sure whether the piece can go into an ultrasonic cleaner.
- The jewelry needs polishing or repair in addition to cleaning.
One benefit of having fine jewelry professionally cleaned is that the jeweler can also look for potential problems while the piece is being handled.
Professional Cleaning vs. Everyday Jewelry Care
You don't need professional equipment to keep most everyday jewelry looking good.
Regularly wiping jewelry clean, avoiding harsh chemicals and storing pieces properly can prevent a lot of buildup in the first place.
Professional ultrasonic and steam machines are useful tools, but they're not automatically “better” for every piece. The best cleaning method is the one that's appropriate for the jewelry you're actually wearing.
At Pretty Pickie, we carry everyday jewelry in materials including stainless steel, gold-tone stainless steel and other wearable finishes selected with real-life use in mind.
