Which Jewelry Should Stay Out of an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

Items to set aside

Magnasonic's support guidance excludes loose stones and soft or porous stones, with pearls, emeralds, amber and opal among its examples. It directs uncertain owners to a jeweler. Treat that list as a reason to exclude those items, rather than assuming everything absent from the list is suitable.

Set aside inherited or secondhand pieces whose stones, treatments or repairs are unknown. A color or a description such as crystal does not establish those facts. Keep an earring with a loose stone out of the bath even when its companion earring appears sound.

Ask for a method for this piece

Tell the jeweler about visible damage, plating, decorative inserts and known repairs. Ask whether the complete piece may be ultrasonically cleaned, with which liquid and under what conditions. That produces a usable answer rather than a general statement about gold, silver or another material.

Once individual pieces have been approved, retain any different care instructions when arranging batches. Permission for one ring does not establish the suitability of the other items sharing its basket.

When the problem is tarnish

Magnasonic distinguishes accumulated dirt from tarnish and describes separate tarnish treatments. If discoloration remains after cleaning, follow the item's care guidance for its finish and stones; do not keep repeating cycles in search of a polished appearance. A polishing or chemical treatment must also be suitable for the complete piece.

Watches require a separate decision

A detached bracelet and an assembled watch need different care decisions. Water resistance and an included watch holder do not authorize immersing the watch head. Follow the watch maker's instructions, and use a service provider if safe bracelet removal or compatibility is uncertain. The watch-cleaning guide explains the distinction in more detail.