Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to a bowl of warm (not boiling) water. Stir gently. While regular tap water is fine, for even better results, you can reach for soda-free seltzer water or sparkling water. The carbonation process in these liquids can help loosen built-up grime and residue.

• Do not use hot or boiling water, especially if your jewelry contains fragile gemstones. Some, such as opals, can break if subjected to sudden and drastic changes in temperature.
• Soak your jewelry in the solution. Let it soak in the water for about 15 minutes. The warm water and detergent will penetrate into cracks and crevices, loosening hard-to-reach build-ups of dirt.
• Gently clean your jewelry with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Scrub each piece individually and pay special attention to nooks and crannies where dirt may be hiding. Use the softest toothbrush possible. Stiff bristles can scratch the surface of your jewelry. If your jewelry is gold-plated (as opposed to solid gold), stiff bristles can even strip the gold layer completely! Special brushes designed specifically for this purpose are best, but almost any small, soft brush (such as an eyebrow brush) will work just as well.
• Rinse each piece in warm running water. Rinse thoroughly to remove any stubborn dirt that may have been loosened by the brushing. Again, make sure the water is not boiling hot , especially if your piece contains fragile stones. If you are working over a sink, plug or cover the drain so you don’t lose your jewelry if it accidentally slips out of your hands. Alternatively, wash your jewelry in a colander or metal coffee filter.
• Dry them with a soft cloth. When you're done, lay them out on a towel to dry completely before wearing them again. If they're still wet, wearing them can trap moisture on your skin, which can cause minor skin irritation.