Prep first
Before you start
- Check that every stone is secure before you wet or scrub the piece.
- Blot any wet residue with a soft cloth, then let the piece air-dry.
- If a stone is loose or the rust looks deep, stop and see a jeweler.
Rust on jewelry usually comes from iron in household water or from a metal part that has stayed wet too long. What you can do at home depends on the piece, since a soft gem or a pearl needs gentler handling than solid metal. Surface rust on a hard metal often responds to careful washing, but rust that has worked its way into the metal is a job for a jeweler.
Check that every stone is set firmly before you clean rusty jewelry, since a loose gem can drop out of its setting. Pearls and soft gems should never soak, so keep them out of the bowl altogether. If you'd rather skip baking soda, test a plain metal band before you try anything on your most valuable piece.
Before you start
What jewelry & watches can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care2
- Hot water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid3
- Chlorine bleach
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Heat, once the stain is out
3 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Clean, soft clothWipes off film and dirt without scratching; use a very soft one for pearls. (opens Amazon)
- Liquid dish detergent and warm waterMakes the mild soapy wash for dirt that remains after wiping. A gentle solution made for delicate gems works too. (opens Amazon)
- Soft-bristled toothbrushLoosens dirt behind settings on metal and hard gems, but not on pearls.
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Check that the stones are secure
Before you clean anything, look over every stone and make sure it's securely set in its mounting. If a stone moves or a prong looks loose, keep the piece dry and take it to a jeweler first.
Step 2 of 6
Wipe off the film first
Wipe the piece with a clean, soft, slightly damp cloth to lift lotion or film. Turn to a fresh section of the cloth as it picks up dirt, so you aren't spreading grime back across the metal.
Step 3 of 6
Wash off any remaining dirt
If dirt is still there, mix 1/4 teaspoon liquid dish detergent per cup of lukewarm water and clean the piece with it, or use a gentle solution made for delicate gems. Rinse it well and dry it with the soft cloth.
Careful. Hot water and sudden temperature changes can damage many gems, so keep the water warm, not hot.
Step 4 of 6
Brush metal and hard gems gently
On metal and hard gems, a soft-bristled toothbrush loosens dirt behind the settings. It can't remove rust that has bonded to the metal, so if the marks stay after brushing, the piece needs a jeweler.
Careful. The toothbrush is not for pearls or other organic gems.
Step 5 of 6
Dry the piece completely
Dry the piece with a soft cloth and let it air-dry fully before you put it away. Pearls on a string need the string completely dry before you wear them again, especially after a wash in warm soapy water.
Step 6 of 6
Check the stones again
Look over the piece once more and confirm every stone is still secure after cleaning. If anything has moved, don't wear the piece until a jeweler has checked it.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for rust on jewelry & watches
A plain glass cleaner on a soft cloth is fine for most metals and hard gems, but keep it off pearls.
These are the everyday supplies the steps above use, in the versions most people buy on Amazon.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The piece should look clean, with the film and loose dirt gone and every stone still tight in its setting. If orange-brown marks are still there after these steps, the rust has bonded to the metal and the piece is past home cleaning.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your jewelry & watches
Pearls and organic gems
Pearls need the gentlest handling of any piece, so use only a very soft, clean cloth. Keep them away from perfume, hair spray and cosmetics, since those can damage them.
Occasional washing in warm soapy water is fine, as long as the string is completely dry before you wear it again. Other organic gems like coral, amber, jet and shell cameos need the same careful handling.
Gold and platinum
Gold and platinum can take the same warm soapy water and soft cloth as the rest of the steps. Keep them away from chlorine and salt water, since both damage and discolor these metals.
Brush only the metal parts with the toothbrush, and check the settings after each wash. Rust that stays on gold or platinum is a job for a jeweler, not a home product.
Silver
Silver tarnish is normal, and regular polishing keeps it under control. Polish the piece on a schedule rather than waiting until it looks dull.
Regular polishing and an annual professional cleaning handle tarnish, so the gentle steps are only for dirt and film. If you see orange-brown marks on silver, try the gentle steps first and then take the piece to a jeweler.
Hard gems and metal settings
Hard gems take the toothbrush and a warm rinse, which is where the gentle steps do the most good. Star ruby, star sapphire, fracture-filled gems, heat-treated gems and gems treated with oil, plastic or wax are off-limits for ultrasonic machines, and so are tanzanite, opal and topaz.
If you're not sure what a stone is, have a jeweler identify it before cleaning. Rinse rather than soak, since many gems are sensitive to heat and temperature changes.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Old rust that has bonded into the metal is past what a cloth and warm soapy water can lift. There's no safe home product for it on jewelry, so the answer is professional cleaning.
If the rust has dried onto the piece, run the gentle steps first, since loosened dirt shows how far the rust really goes. Wipe, wash and brush, then look at the piece again in good light.
If rust is still there after those steps, take it to a jeweler rather than trying anything stronger. A jeweler can judge whether the rust can be removed without damaging the piece, and will tell you if it can't.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on rust on jewelry & watches?
You don't need baking soda here, and none of the common home remedies is the right tool for rust on jewelry. A soft cloth and warm soapy water are safe on most pieces, so they're the gentlest place to start. Each of these is the wrong tool for rust on jewelry, and the reason is given with it.
Skip4Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use chlorine bleach on rust.
Chlorine bleach oxidizes iron further, so it sets rust and makes the stain more intense. It's the one product that makes this stain worse, so leave it out of every step.
Don't use an acid rust remover on jewelry.
Pearls can be damaged by many chemicals and all acids, so a commercial rust remover is off the table for this piece. Oxalic acid is poisonous and hydrofluoric acid is extremely corrosive to skin, so never handle either without rubber gloves.
Don't put pearls in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
Pearls, coral, tortoise shell, ivory, shell cameos, jet and amber should never go in an ultrasonic cleaner, and pearls shouldn't go in a steam cleaner either. Ultrasonic machines can be too harsh for delicate pieces, so use a cloth and mild soapy water for those.
Don't store jewelry near heat.
Keep jewelry away from heaters, radiators, air conditioners and humidifiers. Heat and temperature changes are hard on many gems, so a drawer or shelf away from those is the safest spot.
When to call a professional
If rust stays after the gentle steps, a jeweler is the right next step, and a jeweler can also check the settings. Pearl necklaces may need periodic restringing as the silk thread wears.
Questions
Is vinegar a good way to remove rust from jewelry?
No. Vinegar is a weak acid that typically isn't strong enough to remove rust, and acids in general are a poor match for jewelry.
Can I put rusty jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner?
Not safely in most cases. Pearls, coral, amber and similar organic gems are out, and so are heat-sensitive or treated stones; for hard metals, a soft brush and mild soapy water are the better choice.
Will old rust come out of jewelry at home?
Usually only surface rust lifts with the gentle steps here. Rust that has bonded into the metal needs a jeweler, who can judge what's realistic before anything touches the piece.
Where does rust on jewelry come from?
Rust is iron oxide, and iron carried in household water is a common source. If the stain keeps coming back, check your water supply before you blame the jewelry.
Can plated jewelry be cleaned back to its original finish?
No. Plating wears away over time depending on how the piece is worn and how thick the plating was, and cleaning can't bring it back. Clean it gently and have a jeweler look at any rust that shows through.
How often should jewelry be professionally cleaned?
At least once a year. Silver needs both regular polishing and a yearly jeweler visit for cleaning and tarnish removal.
Rust on other materials
Other stains on jewelry & watches
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.