In order to keep your jewelry in the best condition possible, it is important to have a proper care and maintenance routine. This is not always easy, as many methods people use to care for their jewelry can be quite costly and time consuming. Fortunately, this task no longer a huge hassle with the use of modern technology.
Today, there are 2 popular types of machines used to clean jewelry, ultrasonic jewelry cleaners and jewelry steam cleaners. The main benefit of these machines is the time and money they save you, by allowing you to clean your jewelry at home. Both these types of machines are capable of providing professional quality cleaning for your jewelry, but they accomplish this in different ways.
So, which type of jewelry cleaner should you use? Do you need to opt for an ultrasonic model or a steam based one? In this post, I want to highlight some of the differences between ultrasonic jewelry cleaners and jewelry steam cleaners. Hopefully this information will help you decide which option best suits your needs.
Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner
Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners work using high frequency sound waves. These ultrasonic waves produce millions of microscopic bubbles in a cleaning solution that scrub away any dirt and grime on you jewelry. These cleaner don’t require the same heavy chemical used in more traditional methods of cleaning jewelry. All you need is some tap water and a small amount of water-soluble cleaning solution.
Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners are great for cleaning jewelry made from precious metals, like gold, silver, and platinum. They also work very well on hard gemstones like diamonds and sapphires. Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners can come with a variety of different features.
Certain models include UV light sanitizers that can kill harmful bacteria. Many contain built-in heaters, but others require hot water to be added for cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally less expensive than jewelry steam cleaner. Most are in the $40-$100 price range depending on the specifications.
Check out my full guide on ultrasonic jewelry cleaners here.
Jewelry Steam cleaner
Jewelry steam cleaners use high pressure steam to blast away dirt and grime. These machine are even more eco-friendly than ultrasonic cleaners because they don’t require the use of any cleaning solution at all to be effective. Some manufacturers recommend pre-soaking jewelry in a solution before using a steam cleaner, but this is not necessary to achieve good results.Jewelry steam cleaners are great at restoring that extra shine and polished look to your jewelry.
These cleaners use built-in heaters to produce high pressure steam from the water tank. That means these machines and the jewelry inside them can get extremely hot. As a result these cleaners may not be the best choice for cleaning jewelry that has been dyed or heat treated. The combination of heat and pressure can also be harmful to jewelry that contains soft stones or stones that have a lot of inclusions. One advantage of steamers is there is some ability to regulate the amount of heat exposure based on where you position your jewelry in relation to the steam nozzle.
Jewelry steam cleaners of superior results, but they can get quite expensive. These machines can run anywhere from $100 to $1000 depending on the size and features. They can also be harder to find, since there aren't as many steam cleaners on the market as there are ultrasonic cleaners. As a result, you see steam cleaners used more by professional jewelers and business owners.
Check out my full guide on jewelry steam cleaners here.
Which One Should I Use?
The answer to this question is kind of tricky. It really comes down to personal preference and what factors matter most to you. Both machines are great at what they do, but they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. This is why it’s actually be a good idea to use both.
Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners and jewelry steam cleaners complement each other very well. When used in combination, these machine provide even better results than when used individually. Use the ultrasonic cleaner first to loosen and remove any residue. Then use the steam cleaner to make your jewelry shine and sparkle like new. Many professional jewelers use both types of cleaners in their businesses.
However, owning both machines can get quite expensive. If price is a major concern to you, and you can only afford to get one of these machines, I would go with an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. They will provide great results at often time half the cost of a jewelry steam cleaner.
If price is not as much of a concern, and you just want the best possible cleaning for your jewelry, I would go with a jewelry steam cleaner. These machines give your jewelry that extra polished look that is harder to achieve with an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner alone. They also have the added bonus of being safer for you and the environment since they don't use any chemical in the cleaning process.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that ultrasonic jewelry cleaners and jewelry steam cleaners are some of the best tools available to clean and maintain jewelry. Either type of cleaner will serve you well, but they work in different ways. I hope this post has helped to distinguish some of the main advantages/disadvantages of both types of machines. Always remember, the most important rule about using any jewelry cleaner is to check the manufacturer’s instructions before use to make sure it is safe for clean your specific pieces of jewelry.