Cleaning polishing compounds and other junk off your jewelry can be expensive if you don’t have a lot of equipment, especially and notably an ultrasonic cleaner. A jeweler gave me this advice. While this method will work just fine for cleaning jewelry made of any metal, it is not recommended for cleaning pieces set with fragile stones such as opals, turquoise, or glass, sometimes used in costume jewelry. Also, this cleaning method should not be used if you are unsure of the type of stones in your jewelry. However, this will work just as well as an ultrasonic cleaner for pieces made entirely of metal or stones that can endure heat, such as this diamond bracelet.

Bring three to four cups of water to a boil in a small pot. At the point, it begins to boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer. Mix in a teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of dish soap, then add the water and your pieces. Simmer them for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how unclean they are. Put the pot in the sink and fill it with hot water. Carefully remove the pieces from the pot and rinse them in hot water. Add cold water until you can safely handle the pieces without risking burns. You can get rid of any remaining grime in inaccessible areas by dipping an old toothbrush in a dab of dish soap. The muck should have been much easier to remove after boiling. Use warm water to wash and a towel to dry. The bracelet I recently cleaned is in pristine condition. If you try it, don’t flush your valuables down the toilet.