How to clean your gold and silver jewelry

I use high quality metals with Caribbijou Island Jewelry. This means only .925 sterling silver for all silver pieces, while gold pieces are either 10k or 14k yellow gold.

I'm committed to using the best metals with the jewelry to ensure you have the best possible product. But these metals can show dirt and grime easier than others.

When I get those messages asking us “how do I clean my gold jewelry” or “how can I clean my sterling silver bangles safely,” I always first recommend taking it to a local jeweler. Many jewelers will clean your jewelry for free or at a very discounted rate if you’re just looking for a basic cleaning.

This option can make your life easier and can ensure no chemicals are used that could tarnish the jewelry further.

However, if you’re committed to cleaning jewelry yourself, I've laid out the steps for our favorite cleaning methods for both sterling silver and gold jewelry.

How to clean gold jewelry:

1. Heat up some seltzer water (but make sure it’s not boiling; this could damage stones or gems in the jewelry).
2. Add just a few drops of whatever dish detergent you use.
3. Soak the jewelry for around 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Using an old but clean toothbrush, gently scrub the jewelry to get grime out of the grooves. We suggest using a toothbrush with extra soft bristles so you don’t mark the metal.
5. Pat dry with a soft towel

There you have it! Your jewelry should glitter like the gold it is after this treatment.

How to clean sterling silver jewelry:

Our jewelry is .925 sterling silver, as is most sterling silver jewelry you’ll find, so we’ll be sharing instructions on how to clean that level of silver purity.

First, we’d recommend trying dish soap and water to clean and polish your sterling silver jewelry.

Simply run your jewelry under warm water, add a few drops of dish soap (we’ve found Dawn dish detergent works best) to a soft-bristled toothbrush, and scrub gently.

If you notice this doesn’t work, you can always try ramping it up a notch with baking soda.

1. Make a paste by mixing baking soda with water in a bowl.
2. Take a pea-sized amount of this paste and put it on a soft, damp, microfiber cloth
3. Rub your piece of jewelry with this cloth, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean any crevices.
4. Pat dry with a towel

If you notice these cleaning methods not working, I'd recommend going to see a jeweler and getting tips from them or getting the jewelry professionally cleaned.

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