Eyewear Care & Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic Cleaners for Jewellery and Watches – Does That Work Too?
Yes, with important exceptions: gold, silver and most gemstones handle the cleaning without issue. Soft stones like pearls, opals or amber, as well as glued settings, should not go in an ultrasonic cleaner. Watches only if they're waterproof.
What works well
Gold and silver jewellery, as well as most hard gemstones (diamond, sapphire, ruby), handle ultrasonic cleaning very well – cavitation lifts skin oils and residue even from settings and engravings that a cloth could never reach.
What should NOT go in
Soft or porous stones like pearls, opals and amber can be damaged or lose their surface finish from the vibration.
Glued settings: some jewellery pieces aren't set but glued in place – the vibration can loosen the adhesive over time.
For pieces of uncertain origin or very old, delicate jewellery, when in doubt, have them cleaned professionally instead.
Watches: waterproof models only
Only watches confirmed to be waterproof should go fully into the ultrasonic bath. If water resistance is uncertain, it's best to clean only the strap separately and hold the case above the bath rather than fully submerging it.
Author: Moritz Weinert, Gründer NURO Labs · Last updated on 8 September 2026