Clean AF: How to Keep Your Gemstone Jewelry Shining Like New
Gallery Gems on 31st Aug 2025
Your jewelry should shine as hard as you do—but let’s face it, life gets messy. Lotions, sweat, dust, makeup, and mystery gunk all dull that sparkle fast. Whether you're wearing Real AF natural gems or glammed-out Fake AF sparkle, this is your gemologist-approved guide to keeping your jewelry clean, safe, and stunning.
The Gentle AF Method (Safe for Most Stones)
This quick home method works on the majority of gemstone jewelry and only takes a few minutes.
What You’ll Need:
-
A small bowl of warm (not hot) water
-
A few drops of mild, non-citrus dish soap
-
A soft-bristle toothbrush
-
A microfiber or lint-free cloth
How to Clean:
-
Soak your jewelry for 10–15 minutes.
-
Gently scrub around the stone and setting with the toothbrush.
-
Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water.
-
Pat dry with the cloth. Avoid rubbing, especially on softer stones.
Pro tip: A once-a-month cleaning keeps your pieces looking brand new.
What NOT to Use (Seriously, Don’t)
There’s a lot of bad cleaning advice out there. These are the things you should never use:
-
No bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or acetone
-
No toothpaste or baking soda—they’re way too abrasive
-
No alcohol-based cleaners on delicate gems
-
No ultrasonic cleaners for fragile, treated, or porous stones
-
No boiling water
-
No aggressive scrubbing on pave or vintage settings
How to Clean Different Gemstones
Every stone has its own rules. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s safe and what’s not.
Gemstone | Can You Soak It? | Cleaning Notes |
---|---|---|
Diamond | Yes | Durable—soak and scrub with confidence |
Moissanite | Yes | Very resilient, loves a soft scrub |
Sapphire, Spinel | Yes | Built tough, easy to clean |
Natural Zircon | Caution | Fragile edges—go gentle |
Emerald | No | Oil-treated—just use a soft cloth |
Opal | No | Avoid all heat, soaking, or scrubbing |
Turquoise, Lapis | No | Porous—wipe gently with a damp cloth only |
If you're unsure, reach out and we’ll give you personalized, gemologist-approved guidance.
Ultrasonic Cleaners: Yes or No?
Ultrasonics can be a great tool, but they’re not for every stone or setting.
Safe to Use On:
-
Diamond
-
Moissanite
-
Sapphire
-
Spinel
-
Solid gold or platinum (with simple settings)
Avoid on:
-
Emerald, opal, turquoise, and any porous or treated gems
-
Antique jewelry or fragile prong settings
-
Stones with resin infills or dyes
All Gallery Gems product pages indicate whether a stone is ultrasonic-safe, so you’ll never have to guess.
Jewelry Cleaning Routine
Stay on top of your sparkle with this easy schedule:
-
After wearing: Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth
-
Monthly: Full gentle cleaning with soap and water
-
Yearly: Professional inspection and polish (especially for prong-tightness)
-
Always: Store pieces in soft-lined pouches or boxes to avoid scratches and damage
Shop Jewelry That's Already Clean AF
Every piece from Gallery Gems is inspected and cleaned by a gemologist before shipping. You'll receive:
-
Stone-specific cleaning instructions
-
Optional gemological certification
-
Ongoing support if you ever need guidance on caring for your jewelry
Looking for an easy upgrade? Our Gem-Safe Cleaning Kit is coming soon—perfect for keeping your collection clean, sparkling, and safe at home.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your jewelry doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be smart. Keep your sparkle sharp, your stones damage-free, and your shine Real AF. Whether you're flexing everyday or dressing up once in a while, a little maintenance goes a long way.
Have questions about cleaning a specific gem? Contact us anytime and we’ll tell you exactly how to treat it right.
Need a pro opinion or a custom care recommendation?
Contact us or explore the Certified AF collection—because looking polished never goes out of style.