To get the most out of your jewelry, you need to clean it from time to time. While the cleaning process doesn’t seem like a big deal, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution: Different jewelry materials require different cleaning methods, from porous organic gemstones like coral and pearls that require a more delicate cleaning to easily scratched metals like gold. Cleaning can remove a variety of stains, from common dirt and oil to rust or patina caused by chemical reactions. Before you begin cleaning, it’s important to understand what material your jewelry is made of and what type of cleaning is required.
But the experts I spoke to agreed that cleaning is easy and shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for daily wear. “If your jewelry is metal, soap and water or a regular shower will do the trick,” says Madison Snyder, founder and lead designer of Fewer Finer. “The best way to keep silver jewelry clean is to use it,” says Anthony Mammone of Estate Silver Company. “Simply touching, brushing, wiping, etc. will prevent your silver from tarnishing, so the more you use it, the less you’ll have to polish it.”
To help you find the best jewelry cleaner, I personally tested a variety of options at home and selected the cleaners recommended by Snyder, Mammon, and eight other experts—from cleaning creams and wipes to ultrasonic machines.
Best Overall | Best Deals | Best Silver Cleaning Paste | Best Renewing Paste | Best Cleaner | Best Silver Polishing Foam | Best Multi-Purpose | Best Non-Toxic | Best Durable Silver Cleaning Paste | Best Cloths | Best Silver Polishing Gloves | Best Industrial Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic vs. Conventional Machines: When you think of cleaning jewelry, you probably picture smelly polishes, rags, and a lot of manual labor. While manual cleaning methods are effective, a more high-tech alternative is to use an ultrasonic machine. These devices use high-frequency waves to vibrate a tank of water or cleaning fluid, creating tiny bubbles that remove debris from the items inside. The two main advantages of an ultrasonic cleaner are that it can get into the nooks and crannies, which is useful for intricate jewelry and chains, and that it cleans through a physical process rather than a chemical one (though you can add solutions to the tank for chemical cleaning). “If you have a lot of diamond jewelry, I think it’s a good investment,” Snyder said. “There’s no better way to clean the back of gemstones and settings.”
Medium: The polishes on this list come in a variety of forms—creams, pastes, foams, liquids, and wipes. The best tool for you depends on the jewelry piece, the amount of dirt or stains you want to remove, and the amount of time you’re willing to spend. For example, a foaming cleaner might be best for getting into the nooks and crannies of an intricate ring setting; a detergent-treated cloth might not be ideal for heavy-duty cleaning, but it’s good for a quick spot clean. Cream cleaners require more physical effort, but they give you more control over where exactly you remove the stain: “Some stains around and within the trim are best left where they are; the contrast can really highlight the finish,” says Jim McConnaughey, senior vice president of antiques at SJ Shrubsole.
Usage: Most of the products on this list can be used to clean a variety of metals, gemstones, or both. The main distinction is that they are divided into those products that are specifically designed for metals and those that can also be used to clean gemstones. Even within these categories, some materials require more careful handling. We note exceptions here, so if you are unsure whether a product is suitable for use with a particular type of gemstone or metal, check the product page carefully or contact the manufacturer.
If you have a lot of jewelry that needs cleaning, this is your best bet. While it won’t remove tarnish from silver, it will remove almost all other stains. Ultrasonic cleaners like these use ultrasound to gently but thoroughly clean your jewelry, giving you professional results. Just add water and clean all your jewelry at once in a few minutes. Also great for cleaning glasses and coins.
Weiman makes a classic, affordable liquid cleaner that works on almost all materials, including metals and diamonds, but should be avoided for coral, ivory, amber, malachite, pearls, opals, emeralds, and turquoise. They also make an affordable silver polish, which is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to jewelry polish. I recently used it on a pair of heavily tarnished silver earrings and a necklace. It was quick and effective: After a few washes, I could even see my face in them.
WJ Hagerty & Sons is a brand that many of our experts recommend, and Mammon is particularly fond of their polishing creams, which can be applied and rinsed off. It’s easy to use: “wipe with a damp sponge, rinse thoroughly, and wipe dry.” It contains rust inhibitors to help extend the intervals between cleanings.
Howard and Myra Donowitz, owners of Tudor Rose Antiques in New York City, recommend Maas Metal Polish, which is “better for tougher jobs.” You simply apply it with any non-abrasive cloth (like cotton or microfiber), then wipe, rinse, and let dry.
According to Snyder, Shinery All-Purpose Cleaner is “as easy as washing your hands” and “perfect for a quick clean before you leave the house.” Its gentle formula is suitable for all metals and gemstones, and it’s formulated with skin-friendly moisturizers so it won’t dry out your hands.
McConnaughey recommends Goddard’s Silver Polishing Foam (a paste that you work into a lather with a sponge). He describes the foam as “gentler than some other polishes” and especially good for “heavily soiled areas.”
“It works like magic,” said Nathan Horowicz, owner of silver shop Nathan Horowicz Antiques, of Never-Dull, noting that the product can also be used to polish boats. “You apply it to the leather, then rinse it off with warm, soapy water,” he said. And it leaves no residue. Cleaning with this metal polish “brings out the shine of the metal — whether it’s silver, gold, or another precious metal — without damaging it.”
For those looking for a more natural alternative, Sparkle Bright Jewelry Polish Cream is made with plant-based ingredients that are biodegradable, eco-friendly and non-toxic.
Jewelry designer Erica Weiner once wore a silver ring while lounging in the Esalen hot springs, and the sulfur on the ring turned it black. She used this pure white…
Any nonabrasive cloth can be used to clean jewelry; Snyder recommends “jewelry cloths—the difference between these and regular towels or T-shirts is that the fibers are fine and pressed together, which helps remove stains, oils, and scuffs.” For polishing, Faris Du Graf, founder of jewelry brand FARIS, and Reshma Patel, owner of Quiet Storms, recommend Sunshine cloths. “I use these cloths to restore shine to jewelry that has gone dark gray,” says Du Graf. “I have a version that I give to most of my online customers, and I almost always have one in my bag.” When the cloths eventually run out of polish, Du Graf washes them and reuses them as a regular jewelry cloth, applying a cream polish.
Steve Nelson, co-owner of Nelson & Nelson Antiques, recommends Hagerty gloves “if the silver is only yellowing, not blackening.” The terry gloves are polished, contain an anti-tarnish compound, and are machine washable.
“This is what we use in our office, and it’s my personal favorite,” Snyder said of the GemOro ultrasonic cleaner. “Ideally, I’d put my wedding ring in there once a week to remove any residue from lotions, sunscreen, and natural skin oils. The rest of my jewelry, I usually clean about once a month.” While it’s a bit of a splurge, it’s worth it if you’re cleaning a lot of jewelry, eyeglasses, waterproof watches, and other precious metals. And it’s pretty compact—slightly smaller than our beloved deep fryer.
• Howard Donowitz, co-owner, Tudor Rose Antiques • Myra Donowitz, co-owner, Tudor Rose Antiques • Faris Du Graaf, founder, FARIS • Nathan Horowitz, owner, Nathan Horowicz Antiques • Anthony Mammone, president, Estate Silver Company • Jim McConnaughey, senior vice president, SJ Shrubsole • Steve Nelson, co-owner, Nelson & Nelson Antiques • Reshma Patel, owner, Quiet Storms • Madison Snyder, founder and principal designer, Fewer Finer • Erica Weiner, jewelry designer
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