Are we really supposed to clean our jewelry? And if so, how? Cleaning jewelry has never been a thought for me, in fact, until recently, I had never cleaned jewelry aside from the occasional pair of earrings if my ears are feeling sensitive. However, I have never cleaned a necklace, nor a ring or a bracelet. But considering where jewelry is worn, it would make sense that after a certain amount of time there would be build-up of things like lotion and skin (yuck, I know). So, how often should you should be giving your jewelry a refresh, and using what method? That answer really depends on the type of jewelry and how often you wear it.