It doesn’t take long for even the brightest piece of jewellery to lose its shine. Everyday wear, lotions, perfumes, and simple exposure to air can all leave your rings and chains looking dull. The good news? You don’t need fancy equipment to bring them back to life — you just need the right technique.
The internet is full of cleaning “hacks,” but many of them can actually do more harm than good. Harsh chemicals, toothpaste, and boiling water might seem effective, but they can permanently damage metals and loosen stones.
At Blackwell Jewellers, we’ve seen it all — melted clasps, scratched stones, and weakened settings caused by DIY mistakes. So we’ve put together this simple guide to show you how to clean your jewellery safely at home, without risking your favourite pieces.
We’ll cover how to clean gold, silver, and gemstone jewellery properly — plus the simple signs that mean it’s time to hand it over to a professional.
👉 Need expert help? Book a professional clean or repair with The Jewellery Mechanic, or explore our range of brand-new, ready-to-sparkle pieces at Blackwell Jewellers.
“You don’t need harsh chemicals — just the right care and patience.”
What Causes Jewellery to Lose Its Shine
Even the highest-quality jewellery will start to look dull over time — and it’s rarely because anything’s “wrong” with it. The problem is everyday life.
Lotions, perfumes, soaps, and even natural oils from your skin slowly build up on the surface of metal and gemstones. Over time, that residue dulls reflection, blocks light from reaching the stones, and can even cause discolouration.
For gold and platinum, the issue is usually surface grime that builds up in tiny scratches and crevices. For silver, the main culprit is oxidation — a natural reaction between silver and air that causes the metal to darken or tarnish.
Even diamonds, which are famous for their brilliance, can lose their sparkle if covered in residue. The light that once bounced beautifully through the stone just gets trapped under dirt.
The good news? Most of this is easy to fix with regular gentle cleaning — and a few simple habits to protect your jewellery day to day.
👉 Want to bring your jewellery back to life? Book a professional clean with The Jewellery Mechanic, or browse our latest ready-to-shine collections at Blackwell Jewellers.
“Everyday life dulls jewellery — but the right care brings it back to brilliance.”
How to Clean Gold Jewellery at Home
Gold jewellery doesn’t tarnish like silver, but it can still lose its shine when it’s covered in oils, makeup, and everyday residue. Thankfully, restoring that warm glow is simple — just don’t reach for anything harsh.
Here’s the safest way to clean gold jewellery at home:
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Mix a small bowl of warm water and mild washing-up liquid.
Avoid anything with bleach, ammonia, or alcohol — these can strip the surface of your jewellery. -
Soak your gold for 10–15 minutes.
This loosens any dirt or grease trapped in small crevices. -
Gently brush with a soft toothbrush.
Use light pressure, especially around clasps and stone settings. -
Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Run under lukewarm water, then pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth.
For extra shine, you can gently buff gold using a microfibre or polishing cloth — but avoid paper towels, as they can scratch.
If your piece still looks dull or has scratches, it might need professional polishing.
👉 Bring your gold back to life — book a professional clean or polish with The Jewellery Mechanic, or explore our latest Gold Jewellery Collection at Blackwell Jewellers.
“Gentle soap and patience — the safest way to clean your gold at home.”
How to Clean Silver Jewellery at Home
Silver jewellery is beautiful, but it’s also the quickest to tarnish. Over time, exposure to air causes it to darken — that’s oxidation, a completely natural reaction. Luckily, silver is also one of the easiest metals to revive at home.
Here’s how to clean your silver jewellery safely:
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Use a soft silver polishing cloth.
This is the gentlest way to remove tarnish without damaging the surface. Rub lightly in straight lines, not circles, to avoid fine scratches. -
For heavier tarnish:
Mix a paste using three parts baking soda to one part water. Gently apply it with a soft cloth or sponge, rinse well, and pat dry. -
Avoid toothpaste or harsh chemicals.
These can scratch the metal and leave dull patches that are difficult to fix.
To prevent tarnish in the first place, store your silver in airtight bags or anti-tarnish pouches, and keep it away from perfume, chlorine, and moisture.
If your silver has intricate detailing or gemstones, leave it to the professionals for a deep clean.
👉 Book a professional silver clean with The Jewellery Mechanic, or browse our Silver Jewellery Collection for stunning ready-to-wear pieces
“Regular gentle polishing keeps your silver shining bright.”
How to Clean Gemstone & Diamond Jewellery
When it comes to gemstone or diamond jewellery, gentle is the golden rule. These pieces are often more delicate than they look, and the wrong cleaning method can loosen settings or damage softer stones.
Here’s the safe way to clean them at home:
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Prepare a bowl of warm water and mild soap.
Avoid anything containing harsh chemicals or ammonia — especially for softer stones like opals, emeralds, and pearls. -
Use a soft toothbrush or small artist’s brush.
Gently clean around the settings and under the stones to remove built-up oils and dust. -
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Use lukewarm water and a soft microfibre cloth — never tissues or paper towels, which can scratch.
💡 Tip: Never soak porous stones such as pearls, turquoise, or opal — they absorb moisture and can crack or discolour.
If your stones still look cloudy or loose, it’s time for a professional ultrasonic clean or tightening.
👉 Book a professional gemstone clean or inspection with The Jewellery Mechanic, or explore our Gemstone & Diamond Collection at Blackwell Jewellers.
“A gentle brush brings back the brilliance — without risking damage.”
When to Leave It to the Professionals
While gentle cleaning at home works for everyday maintenance, some jobs are best left to the experts. If your jewellery is antique, fragile, or set with multiple stones, a professional clean is the safest option.
Over time, small scratches, worn claws, and loose settings can go unnoticed — especially on pieces you wear daily. Home cleaning can’t fix those issues and, if done too roughly, can make them worse. A jeweller’s trained eye and specialist tools can restore your jewellery properly, without risk.
At The Jewellery Mechanic, our team uses professional-grade ultrasonic cleaners and polishing equipment to remove built-up dirt and restore shine. We also inspect every setting and clasp to ensure your jewellery isn’t just sparkling — it’s secure.
If you notice stones moving, chains twisting, or clasps feeling loose, don’t risk wearing them. Bring them in for inspection before a small issue becomes a costly repair.
“A professional clean restores brilliance — and checks your jewellery’s long-term health.”
Keep Your Jewellery Shining for Years
Keeping your jewellery clean isn’t just about sparkle — it’s about care. A few minutes of gentle cleaning each month can make a huge difference to how your pieces look, feel, and last. Whether it’s a wedding ring you never take off or a gold chain you wear on weekends, every item deserves a little attention.
The key is to be gentle, patient, and consistent. Avoid shortcuts or harsh chemicals — they often do more harm than good. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush are all you really need. And when in doubt, leave it to a professional.
At The Jewellery Mechanic, we specialise in deep cleaning, polishing, and repairing all types of jewellery — restoring that “brand new” look safely and properly. Every clean includes a full inspection to make sure stones, claws, and clasps are secure.
So if your favourite piece has lost its shine, don’t tuck it away — bring it back to life.
👉 Book a Professional Clean or Repair with The Jewellery Mechanic, or explore our latest Jewellery Collection for beautifully polished, ready-to-wear designs.
“Regular care and professional cleaning keep your jewellery shining for a lifetime.”
