How Often Do Americans Clean Their Jewelry? A Survey

From smudged sapphires to lackluster diamonds, we all notice when our jewelry loses its shine. But how often do Americans actually take the time to give their precious pieces a thorough cleaning? To get to the heart of this sparkling question, we surveyed over 2,000 Americans.

Is it a weekly ritual or a monthly chore? Dive in to discover how frequently Americans are ensuring their diamonds, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings gleam — or if the thought of cleaning them rarely, if ever, glimmers in their minds.

More Than Half of People Think It’s Important to Regularly Clean Their Jewelry, but Only 3% Say They Do

Imagine this: As you’re getting ready in the morning, you’re about to put on your favorite earrings when you spot some buildup on the metal. You grab an alcohol pad and give it a quick wipe — but only because it is visibly dirty. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. A notable 52% of respondents admit they only clean their jewelry when they notice something dull or dirty. 

Unless you’re the type to regularly visit a jeweler for professional cleaning, you might be curious about when others decide it’s time to spruce up their jewelry. Among our respondents, 14% say their jewelry care habits are influenced by how often they wear their pieces. In contrast, 8% clean whenever they have a spare moment, while another 8% reserve the cleaning exclusively for special occasions.

While many of us have set routines like washing our sheets monthly, cleaning our phones daily, or scrubbing the bathroom every week, the question arises: How often should we be cleaning our jewelry? Of those diligent about keeping their jewelry pristine, 22% commit to monthly cleaning, 10% do so weekly, and a meticulous 2% do so daily.

For many, the thought of cleaning their rings, bracelets, and necklaces simply doesn’t come to mind. 1 in 6 respondents admit they never give their jewelry a thorough cleaning.

Given the sentimental value often attached to rings and other jewelry pieces, it’s understandable that many yearn to see their diamonds sparkle as they once did. 28% of respondents believe they should be cleaning their jewelry more frequently.

Conversely, generational differences play a role in jewelry care. A notable 42% of Gen Z respondents report needing to clean their jewelry more often, compared to only 24% of older generations who feel the same way.

Most People Rank Themselves Confidently in Knowing How to Properly Clean Their Jewelry

Your jewelry may hold immense sentimental value, leading you to prefer cleaning rings at home rather than letting them out of your sight — even for a brief moment. 42% of respondents express confidence in their knowledge of how to properly clean various jewelry types. This sentiment is especially prevalent among older generations, who feel more assured in their jewelry-cleaning expertise compared to their younger counterparts.

When it comes to cleaning your jewelry, is soaking advisable? And what about the age-old method of using toothpaste? Our findings reveal that most Americans use soap and water (25%), followed by a polishing cloth (17%) or commercial jewelry cleaners (11%).

Some Americans have reported unconventional methods for cleaning jewelry: toothpaste (4%), boiling water (2%), and vinegar (3%). A word of caution — it’s best to see a professional jeweler instead of using harsh methods like boiling water, which can damage your jewelry!

Wondering whether to try out a new cleaning method? Most Americans tend to stick to what they know — a significant 74% admit to using the same cleaning solution for every piece of jewelry in their collection.

Although Necklaces Are Among the Most Worn Jewelry Items, They Are the Least Cleaned

Once you’ve purchased and brought your jewelry home, the question arises: How often should you clean your engagement ring, necklaces, and other precious pieces? In examining jewelry cleaning habits, our findings show that rings top the list, with 43% of respondents cleaning them most frequently.

For some, the mere thought of someone donning unwashed jewelry can be off-putting. We polled Americans to gauge their opinions on which jewelry items they believe unequivocally require the most frequent cleaning. The majority of people believe that rings need to be cleaned the most often (49%), followed by earrings (18%) and engagement rings (12%).

People Care More About Aesthetic Reasons for Cleaning Rather Than Hygiene

We all yearn for our jewelry to sparkle brilliantly. Understandably, 34% of respondents cite aesthetic appeal as the primary reason for cleaning jewelry. 

Just as one might take extra care of an expensive heirloom, over a quarter of Americans (26%) admit they prioritize cleaning their pricier jewelry pieces over their less expensive ones.

Yet not everyone sees eye-to-eye on jewelry care. A notable 17% of respondents don’t recognize the significance of regularly cleaning jewelry — whether for hygiene or maintenance.

Closing Thoughts

From our findings, it’s evident that many Americans tend to adopt a reactive approach to jewelry care, often cleaning their pieces when they get dirty. However, regular maintenance can ensure that your treasured items always sparkle at their brightest.

Whether you’re shopping for a new engagement ring or seeking to maintain the luster of your existing collection, understanding proper care is crucial. Dive into our guide on how to keep your diamonds, pearls, gold, and other jewelry looking as radiant as the day you got each piece, and consider treating yourself to a new necklace, pair of earrings, or bracelet in the meantime.

Methodology

To gain insights into the jewelry cleaning habits of Americans, we surveyed over 2,300 respondents who regularly wear jewelry. Our questions delved into the frequency with which they clean various items in their collection and sought to understand the importance they place on this practice. The survey was carried out from September 1 to September 8, 2023.