Jewelry lovers love to see their beautiful baubles sparkle like new every day. By combining routine at-home cleaning with cleanings from your professional jeweler, this can be your new reality. A personal ultrasonic jewelry cleaner allows you to use professional technology at home. They can be a smart addition to an at-home jewelry care regime, along with liquid jewelry cleaning formulations, professional polishing cloths, jewelry cleaning wipes and more.
HOW ULTRASONICS CLEAN DEEPER
Ultrasonic cleaners generate sound waves in liquid. The vibrations from the sound waves dislodge dirt and oils from jewelry, including from the surface of gemstones and metals as well as under hard-to-reach settings.
DO’S AND DON’TS WITH YOUR ULTRASONIC CLEANER
The same sound vibrations that clean so effectively can also cause damage to some pieces.
Your gold, platinum, silver, diamond, sapphire jewelry and waterproof watches, if in good condition, can be safely cleaned in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Other porous gemstones like pearls, or gemstones that have had surface fractures filled with oil or resin like some emeralds, or fracture-filled rubies or diamonds should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.
It is also important to note that ultrasonic vibrations will clean silver, but will not remove tarnish on their own.
HAVE YOUR PIECES INSPECTED BY A TRUSTED JEWELER
When a jeweler uses an ultrasonic, they will examine the piece carefully for any weakness or damage before and after the cleaning. While you cannot examine your own jewelry as carefully as an expert, do not use an ultrasonic on any piece that has visible damage, like a loose stone or bent or misshapen metal. Check your piece before and after use of the ultrasonic to look for damage. If you see any issues, be sure to bring it to your professional jeweler.
CLEANING OPTIONS FOR DELICATE STONES
Though you want to avoid an ultrasonic cleaner for pieces with more delicate gemstones, they can be cleaned at home using a non-ammoniated, gentle jewelry cleaning formulation. Soak the piece briefly or dampen a soft cloth with the formulation and wipe it down, then finish with a polishing cloth for a professional shine. A jewelry cleaning wipe or stick with a gentle jewelry cleaning formulation are also great options.
In the end, if you want to clean your jewelry like a pro, an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner can be a great option. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and be aware of which gemstones can – and cannot – be safely cleaned in an ultrasonic machine.
