I clean just about all my jewellery with a soft toothbrush and a dab of liquid soap. I use a silver polishing cloth for the metal.
exceptions are pearls and opal. I only use water very sparingly on pearls, don’t let the thread get too wet, and a soft cloth to finish. Opals can handle water, except Welo opals, but need gentle treatment as they are softer than most.
Most important with any antique or vintage jewellery is to regularly check the settings. Something’s a prong lifts or gets too worn and the gem then rattles. Off to the jeweller before your lose a gemstone.
Be careful about patina. To some it means everything and adds to the piece so avoid using any impregnated polishing cloths, just water and a soft cloth.
I don’t have pearls or opals. Depending on how many stones are in a ring, I will pop it in the ultrasonic with some Simple Green, this is especially effective for eternity bands. Sorry to anyone who just fell out of their chair reading that, but this works for me anyways.
Alternatively, a soft toothbrush and Dawn and really hot water works great. Bron has given you some excellent advice on prongs, I wouldn’t buy anything with melee in an ultrasonic and of course anything closed back cannot get wet.
does simple green still smell gross ?
or has it improved over the years ?
The one I use is lemon scented, it’s not bad!