As a group, we can all agree that we put our lovely engagement rings through a lot, constantly donning them throughout the day. When we put them on, they stay with us when we do errands, wash dishes, and do other tasks that need us to use our hands.
However, just like everything else worn frequently and comes into contact with various items, it can start to show. And you certainly don't want the token of your affection, an engagement ring, to appear dull and worn.
Due to daily use, oil, dirt, and cosmetic residue gradually accumulate on the stone's surface. Knowing how to clean your engagement ring at home is vital for keeping it at its best and free of germs because dirty rings are a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause skin irritation, discoloration of the metals, and scratching of the stones. To be clear, DIY cleanings shouldn't be used in place of regular professional cleanings. Cleanings at your jeweller's will securely remove the tricky layers of deep, compressed dirt and debris, while you can dislodge surface accumulation and restore lustre.
How Often To Clean Your Ring
The chemicals can swiftly dull your diamond ring's lustre in your skincare products, toothpaste, cosmetics, and other everyday products you use daily. Diamonds and wedding bands can get foggy when exposed to certain chemicals, such as those found in shampoo, hairspray, hand lotions, hand soaps, and cooking oils. It would be best if you cleaned your ring once a week to keep it looking new and sparkling.
Having your ring professionally cleaned twice a year is recommended. Let's say you're the type of person who enjoys physical activity or likes to get their hands filthy (by doing things like gardening, for example). If that's the case, it's probably a good idea to have a jeweller clean your ring more frequently, especially before important events like an anniversary celebration.
Every Other Week
You may wash diamonds more frequently without worrying about damage, unlike with other precious metals. Even if you wear your engagement ring every day, all it takes to keep it sparkling and germ-free is a fast, gentle cleaning every other week. Use a soft toothbrush and dish soap to scrub the gold and diamonds on your engagement ring gently. These routine cleanings at home will reduce the need for more extensive cleaning in the long run.
Once A Month
It is well worth it to put in a bit of extra effort to clean once a month and spend a little more time doing so. Diamonds are highly durable; however, despite this, they can be damaged. If you need to clean your engagement ring, you should not scrape it too harshly, apply any harsh chemicals, or immerse it in liquid for any longer than is necessary. Because there are many different kinds of settings, metals, and stones, it is essential to know how to care for the one you have correctly.
Has Your Ring Checked Professionally Twice A Year?
Wear and tear from regular use can weaken or even bend your prongs. Verify that your diamond is safely fastened in place by the prongs. This service is usually provided at no cost, regardless of where you purchased the ring.
It is suggested that you have your ring cleaned and checked by a competent jeweller once every six months. A trained eye can see a loose stone or a misaligned prong and fix it in no time. A commitment to a professional service twice a year and your bi-weekly and monthly at-home cleanings should keep your engagement ring looking lovely and limit the danger of damage year-round.
Clean Your Ring Four Times A Year.
Your diamond is susceptible to accumulating grime, oil, and other residues. If you don't keep your ring clean on a regular basis, it will lose its lustre and appear dull instead of spectacular. The light reflected off the diamond can be significantly altered by even the smallest coating. It would be best if you planned on cleaning your diamond engagement ring regularly throughout the year to maintain its brilliant shine.
How Do You Clean Your Engagement Ring And Keep It Clean?
When it comes to keeping your ring clean, you have a few different options available to you. You have to be sure that the process of cleaning your diamonds and any other kind of stone that is featured in your ring is appropriate for those stones. If you don't, while trying to get the dirt and filth off, you'll end up doing more harm than good.
Soap And Water, Plus A Soft Toothbrush
No matter the setting or metal your rings are made of, a mild soap and water solution is the safest way to clean them. All you need is a bowl, some warm water, and some dish soap to make this easy fix. Then, depending on the level of dirtiness, immerse your ring for 20 to 40 minutes.
If your ring lacks shine because it is caked in residue from products like hairspray, makeup, or lotion, try giving it a good scrape with a soft toothbrush. When you're through, glance at your ring after rinsing it under warm running water. See any remaining residue on the stone or band? If so, rinse and dry with a lint-free towel before proceeding.
A Non-Abrasive And Chemical-Free Solution
If you want to clean your ring without damaging it, use a solution designed for jewellery. Diamonds, precious stones, platinum, and gold may all be polished and restored to their former glory with the help of a jewellery solution. Make sure it doesn't include any harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine, or acetone to be safe for use.
If your ring is still dirty and worn-looking after trying these solutions, it's time to bring it in for an inspection and cleaning by a professional. After cleaning your ring professionally, you can continue using the other procedures to keep it sparkling.
How To Clean A Diamond Ring: All Metal Types (Platinum, Silver, White Gold, And Gold)
Soap And Water
It doesn't matter what kind of setting or metal your diamond ring is made of; simple soap and water is the most acceptable approach to clean it. Get a small basin, hot water, and regular dish soap to use as the solution. Soak the ring for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how unclean it is.
Use a soft toothbrush to remove residue from products like hairspray, lotion, makeup, and perfume. Make sure to give a ring multiple washes in warm running water. An engagement ring can be damaged by exposing it to chlorine or other strong chemicals or even by using some approved jewellery cleaners. After washing your ring, give it a good rinse to remove any soap residue.
Non-Abrasive And Chemical-Free Solution
When looking to purchase a jewellery cleaner or polisher, it is essential to perform adequate research first. In the event that the solution contains any chemicals, your diamond ring runs the risk of being discoloured and losing its durability. Sparkle Bright is a well-regarded jewellery cleaner that can restore and polish rings made of any metal.
How To Clean A Diamond Ring: Silver And Gold
Windex and Hydrogen Peroxide Solution.
Here's how to use hydrogen peroxide to clean a diamond ring: Mix equal parts of Windex and hydrogen peroxide in a little basin. Diamond rings should be soaked for 10 to 15 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide will kill any bacteria on the ring, while Windex will eliminate the daily grime accumulation. Use a gentle toothbrush to scrape your ring after immersing it in the solution to remove any residue. Use tepid water to wash and pat dry.
How To Clean A Diamond Ring: Silver
Vinegar
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with half a cup of white vinegar in a wide bowl. To ensure the baking soda is fully dissolved, stir the solution well. Diamond rings should be soaked for at least two hours, preferably overnight. Finally, dry the ring with a soft cloth after rinsing it in cold water.
Ketchup
Your eyes did not deceive you; you read that correctly. To restore the lustre of a silver band that has become tarnished, ketchup may be all that's needed. Soak them in ketchup for a while to make your band sound better. To clean the ring, use a soft toothbrush to apply ketchup to the surface and then scrub the crevices. Ensure the ketchup doesn't sit on your band for more than a few minutes.
How To Clean A Diamond Ring: Solid Gold
Beer
If the shine on your solid gold ring has started to fade, try pouring some beer over a soft cloth and rubbing it over the band in a circular motion. This should restore the shine. You shouldn't rub the beer on your diamond or gemstones and steer clear of dark ale beer. After you have rubbed the beer onto the band, you will need to dry it off with a different cloth or towel.
Choose A Ring With A Warranty
Any legitimate dealer in diamonds or jewellery should stand behind their wares with some guarantee. A lifetime guarantee means the maker will take care of any problems with the ring for as long as you own it. Offers complimentary cleaning, rhodium plating, re-polishing, and tightening of prongs for the duration of the manufacturer's guarantee.
If you buy your ring from a reliable source, they will continue to take care of it for you even after the wedding.
Store Your Engagement Ring Safely.
Keep your ring in a secure location when you're not wearing it or when you're away from home on vacation.
It would be best to store your ring in a fabric-lined jewellery box with separators to prevent it from scratching or rubbing against the other pieces. Locking the jewellery box away in a safe or a fireproof cabinet is a good idea.
Avoid Having Your Ring Resized More Than Once.
Hands have a tendency to expand and change size during various phases of life, including pregnancy and immediately after delivery. Instead of constantly adjusting your ring, you should put it away in a safe place until it can be resized to fit properly. Even while a ring can be resized at any time, doing so too frequently might cause the metal to become more brittle and susceptible to harm over the long run.
Remove Your Ring During Hands-On Activities.
Your engagement ring should be removed before engaging in any strenuous labour that requires the use of your hands, such as moving furniture, gardening, lifting weights, etc. It's probably a good idea if you don't wear your ring while paddling a kayak or paddleboarding. Your ring will last longer, and you won't have to worry much about losing it.
A ring dish next to the sink will allow you to remove your ring before washing dishes. Taking off your ring reduces the time it spends in contact with harmful substances and being banged around. Having your ring damaged less frequently is preferable.
But Don’t Remove Your Ring In Public.
If you take your ring off to wash your hands in a public lavatory, it may get lost or, worse, sucked down the drain.
Unless necessary, please do not remove your ring in public. Before starting your day of exercise or manual labour, remove your ring and put it somewhere secure at home.
What Not To Use When Cleaning Your Ring
Although diamonds are durable, this does not mean you should use highly abrasive cleaning agents on your ring. Certain chemicals, such as bleach, chlorine, and acetone, can corrode the metal in your jewellery.
Always brush your diamond gently with the softest brushes possible. Cleaning your diamond with a hard-bristled toothbrush or abrasive scouring pad could damage the stone, reducing its value and lustre. Like baking soda, powdered cleansers, and even toothpaste can harm your band; abrasive cleaners can do the same thing. In particular, gold wedding bands show scratches exceptionally quickly.
Selecting the proper jewellery cleaning requires much diligence. Find a cleanser that doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or abrasive materials. Some chemicals won't harm your ring but will discolour your diamond.
Don’t Use Ultrasonic Jewellery Cleaners At Home.
Ultrasonic jewellery cleaners can quickly restore a piece's lustre by transmitting vibrations through a mixture of water and cleaning solution. According to Mann, the stones in the machine can become dislodged and fall out if you move them around too much. The only way to tell whether one of your pavé set stones broke loose in the machine is if it fell out, but a competent jeweller can inspect to see if they are still intact and fasten them on the spot.
Where To Get Your Ring Professionally Cleaned
A professional cleaning might be provided free of charge forever if you purchased your ring from a local jeweller. The jewellers at the store from which you originally purchased your ring will know the most about how to best clean and maintain it.
Get recommendations from the jeweller who will be cleaning your jewellery while trying out a different location. To have your jewellery adequately maintained, you should look for a professional who has worked with pieces of similar material, age (especially for antiques), and construction. If you can decipher it, it's yours.
Caring For Your Diamond Ring
You should be aware of what you should not do while cleaning a diamond ring and what you should do to clean it properly. Please don't do anything that could diminish the ring's quality or hasten its deterioration.
The use of heavy creams or lotions might leave a sticky film on your ring. Even more so, if your band is made of white gold or platinum, it might get discoloured and give the impression of being unclean.
Remember that your ring is a delicate piece of jewellery and should be treated as such at all times. The band or setting of your ring could be damaged if you banged it against something too harshly. Take your ring off and put it somewhere secure before beginning any strenuous activity.
You must retain all scheduled maintenance appointments to keep your warranty in effect. Bringing your ring in for a professional inspection before any stones fall out or any chips or cracks appear is the best way to avoid these problems.
Take off your ring before you start cooking. Oils from foods and other sources might clog your ring or change its colour. Depending on how the stone is set, it may be challenging to clean the ring if it gets food on it.
It would be best if you took good care of your ring because of the deep emotional connection you share with it. Seek expert advice before using any solution or treatment you aren't sure is safe for cleaning your ring.
Insuring Your Engagement Ring
The emotional importance of your engagement ring cannot be matched. However, you may be entitled to a complete financial investment refund if your ring is stolen, damaged, or lost.
Take the time to find a qualified appraiser to determine the ring's actual value, and then insure it for that amount. Consider several plans before deciding on the one that suits you best.
Getting your ring appraised every five years is a good idea because the price of diamonds and metals tends to grow. An assessment that is ten years old or older is likely to be significantly lower than the current market value.
FAQs About Engagement Ring
Not only is your engagement ring probably one of the most expensive pieces of jewellery you've ever owned, but it also holds a lot of sentimental value, so you'll want to know how to take care of that precious engagement ring. Most jewellery is relatively easy to maintain as long as you know what you're doing—which is where we come in.