Taking all your jewelry to a jeweler every time you want it cleaned can be both time-consuming and expensive. Jewelry cleaners are sold at many retailers and work well enough. If you clean frequently, you can often be left with a dirty bowl of cleaner in no time, and then it's off to the store to buy another batch! Who wants to spend that kind of time and money cleaning? Granted, if you only wear your jewelry a couple times a year, you don't have to worry about it - but if you wear it every day and only clean it a couple of times a year, maybe you should indulge in making your jewelry sparkle the way it was made to sparkle. Jewelers have divulged a solution that one can make at home, saving time and money, and giving your favorite pieces their credit due.

• Step One: Find a small, non-reactive bowl. Glass, certain plastics and ceramic would work well.
• Step Two: Mix about a cup of water with a small splash of Mr. Clean and a drop or two of regular dish soap.
• Step Three: Let your jewelry pieces soak for about 30 minutes.
• Step Four: If you have a small scrubbing brush (even an old toothbrush), gently scrub in between the settings to remove any accumulated dirt and oils. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as a loose settings can fall out.
• Step Five: Remove jewelry and dry with a soft, dry cloth.

Keep in mind that this solution is great for jewelry sets with hard stones, like diamonds, rubies and sapphires, set into gold, brass and most silvers. Do not attempt to clean pearls, turquoise, emeralds, opals or tanzanite. Take these last items to a jeweler to be professionally cleaned, or simply wipe with a soft, dry cloth, as even pearls have been found to sustain damage from exposure to certain liquids or soaps. If in doubt, get a professional to help you.