For the appropriates kinds of jewelry, ultrasonic jewelry cleaners offer an efficient way to clean jewelry to sparkling effect without the chance of damage that might occur if you scrub it or use abrasive chemicals. 

These devices are constructed with a small motor and cleaning tank, and apply ultrasonic waves to remove dirt and sediments from your jewelry. 

What Kind of Jewelry Are Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners Best Suited For?

Ultrasonic machines are Good For Strong Metal Jewelry and Resilient Gemstones:

• Silver
• 18 K Gold and 14 K Gold
• Rubies
• Garnet
• Saphires

Ultrasonic Jewellery Cleaners Are NOT Suited For Soft or Fragile Gems Such As:

• Pearls
• Amber 
• Opal
• 24 Gold (since pure gold is quite soft)
• Tourmaline
• Emerald
• Peridot
• Tanzanite
• Gemstones with fractures or feathers (that is, small cracks and fissures)
• Metal jewelry embedded with soft or flawed gemstones.

Gemstones that may have been treated with wax, resin, or oil such as emerald and peridot, could be dulled or damaged in the cleaning process, as the filler material can leach out of any fractures leaving behind visible surface imperfections.

Ultrasonic cleaning should not be used on fragile gemstones that are susceptible to fracturing due to their internal crystal structure. Some of these fragile gems include emerald, peridot, tanzanite, and tourmaline. 

Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners are definitely not recommended for soft materials such as amber, opal and pearls. Stones that are heavily included can be especially susceptible to fracturing, due to the presence of moisture that can be trapped within the fissure or crack.

Caution: Ultrasonic cleaners can loosen some settings, so care should be used with delicate jewelry containing intricate settings. Before using any ultrasonic or steam-cleaning device, you should always consult with your jeweler.

not on soft stones like emeralds, pearls, or opals, or treated stones like mystic topaz, and I don’t think they work on sterling silver either. I use one of those little containers of liquid with a small brush, soak my rings, then brush gently and rinse. Shines them up and doesn’t damage them. I mostly use this on my diamond rings and earrings.