7 Reasons to Use Ultrasonic Cleaners for Jewelry

There’s a reason why the United States jewelry market value is currently estimated at $30 billion - people care deeply about these accessories. Unfortunately, not everyone cares enough about their jewelry to properly clean and maintain them.

Who can blame them? Taking your jewelry to a professional cleaner is time-consuming and expensive. If only there was a way that was affordable and quick.

So what’s the solution?

One practical answer is something called ultrasonic cleaners. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, then you came to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss what the cleaning process is and why you should consider using it. Let’s get started!

What Are Ultrasonic Cleaners?

Before we learn about the benefits of ultrasonic cleaning we first need to understand how the process works.

Unlike traditional cleaning techniques, ultrasonic cleaners use a different method of eliminating dirt and organisms with the help of sound waves. But how does this process work?

First, you dip your piece of jewelry into a cleaning solution and then you place it into the small ultrasonic cleaner device. Once you turn it on high-frequency sound waves will combine with water from the machine to produce vibrating bubbles.

These vibrations then remove any grime found on your jewelry through a process known as cavitation. So why is ultrasonic cleaning any different from scrubbing your gems with water and a brush?

Unfortunately, there are limits to where a brush can reach. This is not the case with ultrasonic cleaners because these products remove grime and dirt through the use of waves - they can reach cracks and crevices unavailable to traditional cleaning methods.

7 Benefits That Come With Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners

Still not convinced that ultrasonic cleaners are the right fit for you and your jewelry? We’ve summarized seven reasons why you should consider giving the process a try. Check them out:

• The cleaning process can reach parts of the jewelry that are very difficult to reach through traditional cleaning
• Ultrasonic cleaners get rid of microorganism - one study found that it removed 99.9% of blood from instruments
• Ultrasonic cleaners aren’t that expensive and the investment will save you money in jewelry cleanings over time
• The process is quick and easy - one cleaning usually only takes a couple of minutes
• You can place several items of jewelry into the machine at the same time which saves time
• You can adjust the heat and pressure settings on the ultrasonic cleaner to fit a wide range of jewelry types
• You don’t need to disassemble (and possibly damage) jewelry to have it cleaned in the product

What Types of Jewelry Should You Avoid Putting in an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

Unfortunately, not all types of jewelry can be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. Certain types of metals and gems can be damaged when exposed to the ultrasonic waves given off by the product.

You should avoid putting any jewelry with gems like lapis lazuli, onyx, and turquoise as these materials are porous and can become damaged by the bubbles. We have a full list of stones that are safe for sonic cleaners.

Similarly, any organic matter like coral, pearls, and amber can become warped by the high levels of heat that come off of the machine.

Most metals are fine in ultrasonic cleaners, but there is one that you should avoid: tungsten. We also recommend avoiding any flawed jewelry with noticeable cracks or chips in them.

Like porous materials, the waves can unintentionally make these flaws more noticeable. If you own gemstones that have been artificially colored, then you should leave them out of the machine as well.

The vibrations can cause these colors to fade prematurely. We also recommend leaving diamonds out of your ultrasonic cleaner. Yes, diamonds are the hardest mineral in the world, but they are also incredibly brittle.

A diamond with low clarity contains lots of tiny inclusions that can cause internal damage to the gem. Not sure if you should go with a diamond for your engagement ring? Make sure to check out our guide to see if the famous gem is right for you.

How Do You Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

The first thing you need to do with an ultrasonic cleaner is to fill up the liquid container on the device. Some models use a special cleaning solution, while others use simple tap water.

Make sure to check the directions on your device to find out what kind to use. We recommend heating the water before you fill it or it may potentially damage the jewelry. After you fill the device then place your jewelry into the cleaning solution.

Make sure you don’t overload the ultrasonic cleaners. When you turn on the machine it will begin to heat up and create bubbles that remove the dirt. You can adjust the heat manually if you notice it producing too many vibrations.

After the cycle finishes make sure you leave your jewelry in the water for several minutes. This step will make sure all the dirt becomes completely separated from the material.

After you wait several minutes remove your jewelry and manually scrub it with a brush.

This will remove any grime that may have stuck to it during the cleaning process. Then, give the jewelry one final cleaning either with water manually or once again in the ultrasonic cleaner. Pat dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Want to Keep Your Jewelry Safe Without Damaging It? Check Out Simple Shine

We hope this article helped you learn more about ultrasonic cleaners and how they can help keep your jewelry in great shape. Do you want an ultrasonic cleaner that you can use every day?

If the answer is yes, then you need to explore Simple Shine. At our company, we believe that jewelry cleaning should be safe and effective - unlike the harsh chemical cleaners you find in drug stores.

We offer a wide range of jewelry care products, as well as shoe care products. If you want to get started exploring our product line, then check out our jewelry cleaning supplies today and you can see our best selling machine here.