A practical guide, published by SONIQ LABS · Our editorial approach
The Ultrasonic
Jewellery Guide↗

The Ultrasonic Jewellery Guide

How ultrasonic jewellery cleaning works

By SONIQ LABS · Updated 8 November 2026

The machine turns electrical energy into high-frequency sound in a liquid. That liquid carries the cleaning action to the jewellery.

From sound to cleaning

  1. A transducer creates vibration. It transfers energy into the tank and its liquid.
  2. Pressure changes create cavitation. Tiny bubbles form and collapse in the liquid.
  3. That action dislodges surface dirt. Liquid can reach accessible recesses that are awkward to brush.
  4. Rinsing and drying finish the job. Follow the instructions for both your jewellery and the machine.

What it does—and what it does not do

Think of an ultrasonic cleaner as a way to remove surface deposits. It does not rebuild worn claws, repair cracks or polish away scratches. A piece can be clean and still need repair.

Do not assume that a cleaning cycle sterilises jewellery. Cleaning and validated sterilisation are different processes.

Why the liquid matters

The liquid transmits the sound and contacts the dirt. Use only the liquid and fill level specified for the machine and permitted for the jewellery. Do not improvise with solvents, household cleaners or boiling water.

What does 48 kHz mean?

It means 48,000 sound cycles per second. That is the frequency specified for SONIQ Clean. It is not a percentage cleanliness score or a guarantee that one machine will outperform another.

Will cloudy water prove it worked?

Visible residue can be useful context, but water appearance is not a controlled performance measurement. Judge the jewellery after rinsing and drying, in consistent lighting. Do not keep repeating cycles simply to make the water look different.

Is “sonic” the same thing?

Product names often use “sonic” loosely. Check the operating specification and instructions rather than relying on the name. A jewellery-cleaning device and a polishing tool may work in quite different ways.

Turn the science into a buying decision →

Sources

GIA on ultrasonic cleaning and its limits; SONIQ Clean manufacturer specification. The explanation is general; it is not a comparative laboratory test.