Fine jewelry is meant to be worn — and worn pieces need care. Whether you're cleaning a daily-wear ring, a gemstone pendant, a pair of earrings, or one of our Leah phone charms, the method matters. Here's how to clean each type of jewelry safely at home, and when to leave it to a professional.
Before you start: what to avoid
Some of the biggest mistakes happen before you've even touched your jewelry:
- Don't use toothpaste. It's abrasive and will scratch gold, silver, and soft gemstones.
- Don't use bleach or ammonia on soft stones. Pearls, turquoise, opals, and emeralds react badly to chemicals.
- Don't use ultrasonic cleaners on porous or treated stones. That includes rose quartz, emerald, and any glued finding.
- Don't clean over an open sink drain. Plug it first.
How to clean gold and gold-vermeil jewelry
For plain gold, gold-filled, or gold-vermeil pieces without stones:
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of warm (not hot) water
- Soak the piece for 10–15 minutes
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush — especially behind stones and inside settings
- Rinse in clean warm water
- Pat dry with a soft microfiber cloth
How to clean gemstone jewelry
The method depends on the stone's hardness and porosity.
Hard, non-porous stones (diamond, sapphire, ruby, quartz, emerald in most settings): Use the soap-and-water method above. Safe and effective.
Softer or porous stones (opal, turquoise, pearl, some emerald cuts): Skip the soak. Wipe with a damp, soft cloth. Dry immediately. Never submerge.
Pearls specifically: Wipe with a slightly damp cloth after every wear. Store flat in a soft pouch — never hanging, which stretches the string over time.
How to clean silver jewelry
Sterling silver tarnishes naturally from air exposure. To restore shine:
- Use a dedicated silver polishing cloth for light tarnish
- For heavier tarnish, use a silver-specific cream (not toothpaste)
- Rinse thoroughly, dry completely, store in an airtight pouch
How to clean your Leah phone charm (and other phone charms)
Phone charms get more contact than any other piece of jewelry — constant touch from hands, pockets, bags, tables. That means regular care matters.
Weekly quick-clean:
- Wipe the gemstone beads with a slightly damp, soft cloth
- Dry immediately with a microfiber cloth
- Wipe the metal clasp and connector with a dry soft cloth
Monthly deep-clean:
- Detach the charm from your phone
- Dip the gemstone section briefly in lukewarm soapy water (avoid soaking the cord or clasp for long)
- Rinse with clean water
- Lay flat on a towel to air-dry completely before reattaching
Never:
- Submerge or soak the cord / silk thread
- Use ultrasonic cleaners (can weaken the stringing)
- Pull on the clasp to detach — unclip gently
When to see a jeweler
Some things shouldn't be DIY:
- Loose stones (you'll hear a tiny rattle)
- Thinning prongs
- Bent or stretched chains
- Deep tarnish on antique pieces
- Restringing pearls (every 2–3 years with regular wear)
- Restringing phone charms (if the cord feels stretched or the knots are fraying)
How often should you clean?
| Type | How often |
|---|---|
| Daily-wear rings | Every 2 weeks |
| Earrings | Monthly |
| Necklaces and pendants | Monthly |
| Pearls | After every wear (wipe) |
| Phone charms (Leah & others) | Weekly quick-clean, monthly deep-clean |
Taking care of your pieces is what keeps them beautiful for years — whether it's a Leah phone charm you reach for every day or a gemstone pendant you save for special moments. A few minutes a week protects decades of wear.
Explore our full collection and shop the Leah phone charm line.
