How to Clean a Bracelet?

Gold, silver, diamonds or pearls: each material has its own care rules. Our guide to keeping your bracelets immaculate.

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Warm water + mild soap

The universal, risk-free method for solid gold and silver.

Soft brush

A soft toothbrush reaches the recesses without scratching.

Gentle drying

Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth to avoid marks.

Cleaning a yellow gold bracelet

18-carat yellow gold is very easy to look after. Prepare a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid. Soak the bracelet for 10 minutes, then gently brush with a soft toothbrush (used but clean). Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a soft microfibre cloth. For optimum sparkle, use a gold polishing cloth: sold at any jeweller's for a few euros. Do this once a month for regular wear.

Cleaning a white gold bracelet

The same procedure as for yellow gold. However, take note: white gold's rhodium plating can be slightly altered by repeated ultrasonic cleaning. Prefer manual cleaning with warm soapy water. Avoid abrasive products and bicarbonate of soda. If the plating turns yellowish-grey, have the bracelet re-rhodium plated by a goldsmith (30 to 50 € depending on size).

Cleaning a silver bracelet

Silver tarnishes naturally on contact with air, forming a black patina. To remove it, use a special silver polishing cloth or a silverware cleaning solution. For tricky areas, a soft brush with white (non-abrasive) toothpaste works well. Rinse with clean water and dry immediately to avoid further tarnishing. Store silver in an anti-tarnish pouch to slow oxidation between wears.

Cleaning a bracelet with diamonds

Diamonds tolerate water and soap very well. Soak in warm soapy water for 15 minutes, then gently brush around the settings and beneath the stones. The common issue is dirt that builds up under the diamonds and dulls their sparkle. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning if you are not certain of the strength of the settings: ask a goldsmith to check first. After cleaning, diamonds regain their full brilliance.

Cleaning a pearl bracelet

Pearls are organic and fragile. Never immerse them in water or in ultrasonic baths. Simply wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth after each wear. Cosmetics, perfumes and perspiration are their enemies: apply them before putting on your pearls. Store the pearl bracelet flat in a soft pouch to prevent scratches. Have the bracelet restrung by a jeweller if the thread shows signs of wear.

Frequently asked questions

Are ultrasonic cleaners dangerous for jewellery?

Ultrasonic cleaners are effective for solid gold and unfractured diamonds. They are, however, not recommended for: pearls, emeralds (treatment oil), repeatedly rhodium-plated white gold, fragile claw settings or stones with inclusions. When in doubt, the warm water + soap method is risk-free.

How often should you clean your bracelet?

For daily wear, a quick monthly clean with warm soapy water is enough. A more thorough cleaning 2 to 3 times a year is recommended. Have settings and clasps checked by a goldsmith every 2 to 3 years for diamond-set pieces.

Can white vinegar be used to clean gold?

Diluted white vinegar can clean lightly tarnished yellow gold. But it is acidic and can attack alloys and the rhodium plating of white gold. The warm water + mild washing-up liquid method remains preferable: just as effective and risk-free.

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