Pour a few drops of liquid dish soap into a bowl of warm (not boiling) water. Mix gently. While regular tap water is fine, for even better results, you can get sodium-free seltzer water or sparkling water. The carbonation process in these liquids can help loosen built-up dirt and debris.

• Do not use hot or boiling water, especially if your jewelry contains fragile gemstones. In fact, some, like opals, can break if subjected to sudden and drastic changes in temperature.
• Soak the jewelry in the solution. Leave them to soak in the water for about 15 minutes. Warm water and detergent penetrate cracks and cuts, loosening hard-to-reach dirt buildups.
• Gently clean the jewelry with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rub each item individually and pay particular attention to nooks and crannies where dirt may have hidden. Use as soft a toothbrush as possible. If the bristles are stiff they can scratch the surface of the jewel. If yours is gold plated (as opposed to solid gold), the stiff bristles can even remove the layer of gold completely!. Special brushes designed specifically for this purpose are best, but most small, soft ones (like eyebrow brushes, for example) work just as well.
• Rinse each piece in warm running water. Rinse thoroughly to remove any stubborn dirt that has been loosened by the action of the toothbrush. Again, make sure the water is not boiling , especially if your item contains fragile stones. If you work over a sink, close or cover the drain so you don't lose jewelry if it accidentally slips from your hands. Alternatively, wash them by placing them in a strainer or metal coffee filter.
• Dry them with a soft cloth. Once finished, place them on a towel to dry completely before wearing them again. If they are still wet, wearing them could trap moisture on your skin, causing mild skin irritation.