There are many ways to clean your jewellery;

Soapy Water:
Water applied with a small amount of mild detergent (dish-washing liquid for example) on a soft cloth, gives you the most control and safest way to clean your jewellery. This method is safe for all stones and metals and can be applied with a soft cloth, toothbrush, cotton bud, etc. A toothpick is good for detailing.

Creams and Polishes:
These are the safest purpose-cleaners for your jewellery in that they give you good control. Good silver or jewellery polish is not too abrasive. It should be applied sparingly to a jewellery cloth and carefully wiped over the piece to avoid filling details with too much polish. It is better to not apply too much polish to the stones, especially porous ones like Turquoise, Malachite, Chrysocolla, Lemon Chrysoprase, Lepidolite, Shell (especially Mother of Pearl), Coral, and Opal. Wipe off the excess polish after it dries (in seconds) and use a toothpick to carefully clean the corners and details. Finally roll the piece carefully around in a clean cloth to bring up the shine. We recommend Happich Simichrome Polish, usually sold as an automotive product.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Machines:
These use ultrasounds to clean through water (hot is better), usually with a small amount of detergent solution to break the surface tension. Ultrasound creates and collapses microscopic bubbles, which break up and lift off dirt and tarnish. It is the most effective way to clean jewellery, especially in volume, although it will also clean away oxidisation and tarnish build-up from features where you might prefer it left. It is the best way to clean most stones because it cleans everything off their surface.

However, some stones cannot be put in an Ultrasonic Cleaner.

• These are; Emerald, Peridot, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Malachite, Chrysacola, Lapis Lazuli, Lemon Chrysoprase, Lepidolite, Shell (especially Mother of Pearl), Coral, Pearl, Bone, Amber, and Opal. Any stones with water in their structure (especially Shell, Pearl, Opal, Enhydros, Amber, and Bone) should be kept out of the ultrasonic and cleaned by hand.
• Stones with large fractures or inclusions are more vulnerable to damage.
• Stones treated with wax, oils, and other surface fillers (such as Emerald) can loose their polish.
  
  Caution…
• Do not allow your piece to touch others in the chamber to avoid vibration marks.
• Ultrasonic Cleaners can loosen stone settings through the vibration and the removal of 'friendly' residue from the manufacturing process jammed in around the stone by the original machine polishing. Always check the stone is firmly in after cleaning and if necessary, follow the the steps outlined for Loose Stones below.
• Never put your fingers in an ultrasonic machine when it is operating. The high frequency sound waves can damage tissue and tendons. Embolisms have also been reported - small bubbles in the blood stream which can restrict or stop the flow of blood.

Ionic Cleaning Machines:
These are usually smaller than ultrasonic machines and are good for domestic use. They use electrically charged soft bubbles in a concentrated cleaning solution which float away dirt and grime imbedded in crevices and pores. They are generally safe for Opals, Pearls, Emeralds, and all other soft or water porous stones. Ionic cleaning does not require heat.

Dips: 
Generally, these should be avoided at all costs for cleaning jewellery. Not only do they eat away metals to clean them, but they are also not good for stones, especially the porous ones mentioned above. Most dips contain acid solutions, so they must be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Some products from the State of California include warnings about cancer causing agents. Definitely not to be used on plated jewellery or stones.

Rotary Machine Polishing:
When done professionally, the best way to return a piece of jewellery to its original state. A rotary polishing machine uses a disk made from soft cloth or compacted lint to which a polishing compound is added. It is then spun at high speed and the polish applied to the jewellery. Care must be taken not to put too much pressure or time on an area as metal can be quickly worn away. This is especially true of design details and embossed or raised areas. One must also take care not to stain porous stones with polishing compound applied under too much pressure. This type of polishing should never be done on plated jewellery as the plate will be easily worn away.