Learn the difference between jewelry steam cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners, compare options for front- and back-of-store use, and find the best cleaning equipment for your business.
Whether you’re cleaning a customer’s ring before returning it, preparing jewelry after a repair, or maintaining showcase inventory, having the right cleaning equipment helps you work more efficiently while delivering a professional presentation.
Steam cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners each serve an important purpose in a jewelry shop, but they aren’t interchangeable. Understanding how they work and which models best fit your business can help you invest in equipment that supports both your workflow and customers.
Steam Cleaners vs. Ultrasonics: What’s the Difference?
Although both are designed to clean jewelry, steam cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners remove dirt in different ways.
- Steam cleaners use pressurized dry steam to rinse away loosened contaminants while leaving jewelry clean and dry. They provide a polished, professional finish and are commonly used as the final step before presenting jewelry to a customer.
- Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles that gently loosen oils, polishing compounds, and debris from hard-to-reach areas. They’re ideal for deep cleaning before inspection, repair, or polishing.
Many jewelry stores use both pieces of equipment together, allowing the ultrasonic to remove buildup and the steam cleaner to provide the finishing touch.
Steam Cleaners
Front of Store
For front-counter cleaning and light repair work, compact steamers offer excellent performance without taking up valuable counter space.
GemOro® Superior Instruments Ultraspa Ultrasonic & Steam Cleaner
Reliable 5100CJ Jewelry Steam Cleaner
Hoffman EVD-1 Steam Cleaner
Back of Store
Reliable 6000CJ Jewelry Steam Cleaner
Hoffman JEL3 Steamer
Eitan LSE-6 Steam Cleaner for Jewelry Cleaning
Ultrasonic Cleaners
Front of Store
GemOro® Superior Instruments LuxeSpa Personal Ultrasonic
Best Built Mini 1.2 Quart Ultrasonic
L&R® PC3 .56 Quart Ultrasonic
Back of Store
Elma® Select 2.85 Quart Ultrasonic
L&R® Quantrex® 6 Quart Ultrasonic
Best Built 10 Quart Ultrasonic
Before You Clean
Not every piece of jewelry should be placed in a steam cleaner or ultrasonic cleaner. Before cleaning any item, take a few moments to evaluate the piece.
- Determine whether the jewelry contains gemstones and identify which stones are present.
- Inspect for loose settings, previous repairs, fractures, or signs of wear.
- Consider whether the jewelry has received treatments that could be affected by heat, steam, or ultrasonic vibration.
- Antique or delicate pieces may require hand cleaning with a gentle cleaning solution and a soft cloth instead of mechanical cleaning equipment.
Finding the Right Equipment for Your Shop
Whether you’re setting up a new workspace or upgrading your current cleaning station, selecting the right equipment can help improve efficiency, simplify your workflow, and ensure every piece leaves your counter or your bench looking its best.
At Stuller, you’ll find a wide selection of professional-grade steam cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, and jewelry cleaning supplies designed to support every type of jewelry business — from compact front-of-store work to high-volume repair benches.