You already know how to clean your hands - sanitizer or hot water and soap, but how do you clean your 10 karat, 14 karat and 18 karat gold jewelry? Should you be taking your jewelry off when sanitizing or washing hands? Can alcohol hurt 14k and 18k gold and gemstones? We spoke with the founder of Skaska Fine Jewelry, Diana Behringer, on how to properly clean your fine jewelry and what can hurt it. This article is updated for 2021 and guaranteed to help you safely clean your jewelry.

Cleaning 10k , 14k and 18k Gold Rings with Diamonds

The safest way to clean 10k , 14k and 18k gold is also the easiest! For gold rings with diamonds, Diana recommends following these steps:

• Mix a mild liquid dish soap with warm, not hot water. Blue Dawn works great for this, if you're using another soap, check to make sure it is not moisturizing as the excess chemicals can cause a film to accumulate on the jewelry.

• Soak the jewelry in the soapy mixture for 15 to 30 minutes.

• Rinse the jewelry with warm water, using a cotton swab to clean any hard-to-reach areas.

• Dry the jewelry with a polishing cloth.

• For particularly dirty jewelry, you can add a few drops of ammonia to the mixture, but only for jewelry without semi-precious gemstones like opals and turquoise.

Cleaning 10k , 14k and 18k Gold Rings with Turquoise or Opals

While solid gold and diamonds can withstand regular cleanings with dish soap and ammonia, special precautions need to be taken for gold jewelry containing porous semi-precious gemstones like opals or turquoise.

• Mix a mild liquid dish soap with warm, not hot water. Blue Dawn works great for this, if you're using another soap, check to make sure it is not moisturizing as the excess chemicals can cause a film to accumulate on the jewelry.

• Dip a cotton swab or soft cloth into the solution and gently clean the jewelry. Do not soak turquoise or opals in the warm water solution - they are porous stones and will absorb water.

• Dry the jewelry with a polishing cloth.

• Never use ammonia or hand sanitizer on gold jewelry containing turquoise or opals. It will cause irreversible damage to the stones. Also remember that an ultrasonic machine will damage these delicate stones.

What To Avoid When Cleaning 10k , 14k and 18k Gold

• Chlorine - at high temperatures, chlorine can permanently discolor or damage your gold jewelry and rings. When soaking your pieces, make sure the water is warm, not hot.
• Sanitizer - although it is difficult, try to avoid sanitizer on your jewelry. If you're out grabbing some grocery or running errands, this is not always possible, so try to clean your jewelry after sanitizing your hands. Always take off your jewelry when sanitizing your hands if it has porous stones like opals or turquoise. 
• Moisturizer - moisturizing plays a crucial part in keeping hands germ-free. Hands that are cracked or dry lose their safety barrier. Be sure to check jewelry for excess buildup, especially your engagement rings and wedding bands.

Is it possible to over-clean your jewelry?

Yes and no. It depends on the stones in the jewelry - diamonds can withstand regular cleaning but some of the softer and more porous stones, like pearl and turquoise, can be dulled and hurt by cleaning products. For pearl or turquoise jewelry, never soak it in a cleaning solution. Instead, dip a soft cleaning cloth and gently wipe the piece, wiping it again with a cloth dipped in non-soapy water.

Happy cleaning, and stay safe! For any questions on how to clean your jewelry, email info@skaskajewlery.com 

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Looking for your first, or next piece of fine jewelry? We have a handy guide on choosing the perfect piece for you here:

How To Choose Your First Piece of Fine Jewelry