To clean gold jewelry at home, wash it in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush it gently with a soft brush, rinse, and dry it with a soft cloth. For a deeper clean on gold and diamonds, a jewelry cleaner made for them takes about 3 minutes. Here are the steps, plus what we would skip.
Why does gold jewelry look dull?
Rings, chains, and earrings pick up lotion, soap, and everyday grime, and dirt, oil, and fingerprints build up in the details. A gentle clean usually brings the shine back, so there is no need to scrub hard.
How to clean gold jewelry with mild soap
- Mix the water. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to a bowl of warm water. Warm is enough, and boiling water is not needed.
- Soak briefly. Let the piece sit for a few minutes so the soap loosens the oils.
- Brush gently. Use a soft brush around settings, clasps, and behind stones.
- Rinse well. Rinse in clean warm water over a bowl, or plug the sink drain first so nothing slips away.
- Dry. Pat dry with a soft cloth and let it air dry fully before you put it away.
How to give gold and diamonds a deeper clean
When soap is not enough, use a cleaner made for gold and diamonds. With our Gold Time liquid jewelry cleaner, place your jewelry in the dipping basket, soak gold and diamonds for 3 minutes, and brush any detailed areas. Rinse with lukewarm water, then dry with a soft cloth and polish. Softer, porous stones such as pearls, opals, coral, onyx, and turquoise should soak for under 1 minute. Per the label, it contains no bleach, ammonia, butyls, or phosphates. Use it whenever your pieces look dull.
A 3 minute deep clean
Gold Time Liquid Jewelry Cleaner with Dipping Basket and Brush | For Gold, Silver, Platinum and Gems
$24.99
A jar of cleaner with a dipping basket and brush for gold, silver, platinum, and diamonds. Soak gold and diamonds for 3 minutes, and softer stones for under 1 minute.
See the cleanerCleaner or cloth: which should you use?
| Method | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mild soap and warm water | Regular cleaning of most gold jewelry | Easy at home, and gentle on the finish |
| Liquid jewelry cleaner | Grime in settings and a deeper clean on gold and diamonds | Soak gold and diamonds for 3 minutes, and softer stones for under 1 minute |
| Polishing cloth | A quick shine between soaks | White inner layer cleans, black outer layer buffs, and it should not be washed |
For quick shine, the cloth works on its own. For grime in settings, use the liquid cleaner first, then polish with the cloth. If you want both plus a travel case, the Gold Time Jewelry Cleaning and Care Kit includes the cleaner with a dipping basket and brush, a two-sided cloth, and a hard shell case.
What to skip
A few habits are easy to leave out. Bleach and chlorine can weaken or discolor gold alloys over time. Toothpaste is abrasive, so mild soap works better. A stiff brush can scratch a polished finish, so keep to a soft one. Pearls, opals, and turquoise are too delicate for a long soak or a hard scrub, so wipe them gently or give them under a minute in the cleaner. For pieces with stones, we suggest hand cleaning over an ultrasonic cleaner, because the vibration can loosen settings.
Gold-plated and white gold pieces
Gold-plated silver has a finish on the surface, so keep to the gentlest method: mild soap, a soft brush or cloth, and no abrasive polishing. Some white gold pieces also carry a rhodium finish for extra brightness. On Gold Time pieces, solid gold is hallmarked with its karat, while silver and plated silver are not stamped. If you are not sure what your piece is made of, message us and we will help you work it out.
Quick answers
Can I clean a diamond ring this way? Yes. Diamonds can be cleaned with mild soap and a soft brush, or soaked for up to 3 minutes in our cleaner. Check any other stones in the setting against the soft stone list above.
How often should I clean my jewelry? Whenever it looks dull. A quick wipe with a cloth between cleanings keeps things bright.
Can I use the same cleaner on grillz? Yes. Soak, brush, then rinse very well with warm water and dry before wearing. See our grillz care guide for the full routine.
Wear and storage between cleanings
Take rings off for cleaning products and the pool, and keep gold away from chlorine and lotions. Store each piece dry, and keep it apart from harder stones so the polish stays clean. The gift box it came in is a good home, since it helps prevent scratches. Our guide on whether real gold tarnishes explains what a normal patina looks like.
Shine between soaks
Gold Time Jewelry Cleaning and Polishing Cloth | Two-Layer Cotton Flannel
$12.99
A two-layer cotton flannel cloth. Wipe with the white inner layer, then buff with the black outer layer. Keep one at home and one in your bag.
See the clothNot sure how to clean a particular piece? Call or text our VIP line at 254-294-7865, and someone from the Gold Time family will be happy to help you choose the safest method for it. We have been family owned in Central Texas since 1991. Which piece are you cleaning first?
Ready to bring back the shine?
Family owned in Central Texas since 1991, with two Texas stores you can walk into.
