A DIAMOND expert has debunked the viral hacks that could harm your prized jewels.
She also shared a "thorough" cleaning method that removes dirt and grime.
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Shielsdiamond expert Kylie Pitt revealed that investing in a cleaning device is the easiest way to bring the shine back to your jewelry.
Although DIY solutions are all the rage on TikTok, she warned that many of them can be harmful to certain gemstones and metals.
MASSIVE MUST
ULTRASONIC JEWELRY CLEANER
Pitt recommended an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, saying they can be expensive but are "worth the investment."
"Using an ultrasonic cleaner is an effective way to clean your jewelry, especially when it comes to thoroughly removing dirt and grime in hard-to-reach areas," she said.
The jewelry cleaning device is a popular option that has earned more than 40 million views on TikTok.
“Make sure that you opt for an ultrasonic cleaner that is specifically designed for jewelry," she advised.
Even though the product is safe to use for most jewelry, the expert did issue a warning for the product.
"Avoid using this method for finer items with delicate settings or non-diamond gemstones such as emerald or opal,” she said.
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DISH SOAP
When it comes to cleaning jewelry, you can't really go wrong with dish soap.
"This method is generally safe and gentle for most types of jewelry to remove everyday dirt and oils but may not be as effective for removing heavy tarnish or grime," Pitt explained.
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For those who want to try the popular hack, which has more than eight million views on TikTok, she advised using a soft toothbrush and a milder dish soap with warm water.
"Avoid using hot water as this can damage the gemstones," she noted. "Make sure to rinse the soap off thoroughly and dry your jewelry with a soft cloth.”
Pitt added that this method works particularly well with lab-grown diamonds.
"Not only is it safe and effective, but it can keep diamonds sparkling without risk of damage while also maintaining the brilliance of the diamonds," she said.
BAKING SODA (BUT PROCEED WITH CAUTION)
Pitt explained that baking soda can remove tarnish from silver jewelry but shouldn't be used to clean any gemstones or plated metal.
"While it is inexpensive and easy to use, it can be abrasive and can scratch some jewelry finishes," she said.
"So use this method sparingly and avoid using it on jewelry with delicate or porous stone," she added. "Always ensure that your pieces are well-rinsed off to prevent any residue buildup.”
MASSIVE MAYHEM
There are several online hacks to maintain your jewelry that are making waves, and Pitt shared her top five to avoid because they could do more harm than good.
SODA
Even though viral posts about soda as a jewelry cleaner have almost 140,000 combined TikTok views, Pitt suggested avoiding soda when cleaning your jewelry.
Soda is very sticky, so it can attract more dirt and grime.
This is because the acids and sugars can damage and leave residue on your jewelry.
"While it can clean certain metals like copper, it can be damaging for most jewelry metals and gemstones," she explained.
KETCHUP
Ketchup emerged as an unexpected cleaning agent on TikTok, where videos on the topic have almost 180,000 views combined.
“Ketchup can be used for cleaning and removing tarnish in copper-based jewelry, but it is messy and not effective or suitable for other types of materials," Pitt explained.
She added that its acidic properties can also damage the metal and gemstones if used over a long period.
“Additionally, ketchup should not be used on lab-grown diamonds or any diamond jewelry as the acidity can damage the metal settings and remain ineffective for cleaning diamonds,” she warned.
SALTWATER
Salt is an item that can be easily found in most homes, so it makes sense that TikTok users would experiment with it as a cleaning solution.
“Salt has minimal benefits for cleaning jewelry and is ineffective for removing dirt and grime on jewelry–more so, it can actually cause corrosion and tarnish metals," Pitt said.
She said that it "offers no significant benefits" and will only damage the metal in your jewelry pieces.
"I also won't recommend saltwater to be used for cleaning lab-grown diamonds either, as it can corrode the metal settings and won’t be effective for proper cleaning,” she added.
TOOTHPASTE
Toothpaste is another popular choice but Kylie doesn't recommend it because of its texture.
"While toothpaste is great for removing surface grime from metals, it contains abrasive agents that can cause micro-scratches and damage the finish of metals and stones,” she explained.
She recommended only using a gentler cleaning solution designed for jewelry.
LEMON JUICE
Lemon juice is another jewelry-cleaning hack that has gone viral, with a whopping 1.8 million views on TikTok.
Pitt said it can be used to clean tarnish marks from copper and brass jewelry, but there are some drawbacks.
“Its acidic nature can cause detrimental damage to your pieces such as discoloration and weakening the setting of metal and gemstones," she explained.
On pieces with "porous or soft gemstones," such as pearls or turquoise, she suggested avoiding it altogether since it's too harsh for daily use.
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The acidity of lemon juice can also have bad effects on lab-grown and natural-grown diamonds.
She suggested sticking to mild soap and water to safely clean lab-grown jewelry.
