How To Clean and Maintain Your Diamond Ring
Are you happy with the way your diamond ring sparkles? When you have a beautiful diamond engagement ring, you want to keep it looking as exquisite as the day you received it! In order to do that, cleaning your ring on a frequent basis is both necessary and recommended.
Daily wear can expose your diamond to grime, oil (from your skin), harsh chemicals in your household cleaners, hairspray, lotions, hand sanitizers, etc. Over time you will have a build-up of unwanted particles that will diminish the beauty, sparkle, and brilliance of your diamond.
You will want to clean and maintain the value of your ring, not only for sentimental reasons, but also to protect the financial value of your diamond engagement ring.
When cleaning your ring, the setting of your diamond ring should also be taken into consideration. Prongs, mountings and even the ring band should be cleaned regularly.
Regular At-Home Cleaning Methods
There are a variety of home cleaning methods to help maintain your ring’s beauty. Let’s examine a few of these methods below.
Warm Water and Dish Soap
Warm Soapy Water: This is a commonly used method for cleaning diamond rings. You will need a few items to get you started. Use a small bowl of warm water and add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap. Stir the solution of dish soap and water to get a soapy mixture. Place your diamond ring in the bowl and let it soak for 30 minutes to help loosen any dirt or residue.
Then use a (new) soft bristled toothbrush that will be used exclusively for cleaning your rings. Use the soft toothbrush to gently brush the diamond crevices and its setting. Rinse the ring thoroughly under warm water. You will want to make sure that your drain is plugged to prevent anything from falling down the drain. Finally, gently dry off the ring with a soft lint-free cloth.
Assorted Home Methods
There are some commonly suggested home methods that you should NOT use like baking soda, toothpaste, acetone, bleach, or household cleaners like Windex. Do not use any of these methods because they can damage your precious metals and gemstones.
Powdered cleaners like baking soda can potentially scratch the metal and gemstones. Ammonia, bleach and acetone are harsh chemicals that can be abrasive, damaging precious metals and gemstones. Toothpaste often contains abrasive particles that will scratch your diamond and precious metal.
White vinegar is another option you may see recommended for cleaning your diamond. However, it is often paired with baking powder which is an abrasive that should not be used for cleaning a piece of jewelry. Using paper towels is not recommended for cleaning diamonds as they can cause scratching. Always use a soft cloth to remove dampness from your ring.
Store-Bought Cleaning Solutions
Another cleaning method you might see is store-bought liquid jewelry cleaners. You need to check the ingredients and make sure they do not contain an ammonia-based solution which can damage your diamond and your band. Don’t let your ring soak in the cleansing solution any longer than the recommended time. Scrub gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure you rinse your ring thoroughly to remove any residual cleaner, and then wipe gently with a soft cloth.
Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners
Ultrasonic cleaners have become more available for home use. These cleaners use sound waves and a cleaning solution to remove debris from your ring. It’s important to understand that not all types of gemstones and ring settings are suitable for ultrasonic cleaners. It is advisable to consult with a professional jeweler to determine if this home method is an option for your ring.
Professional Cleaning
There are numerous benefits to having a professional check and clean your ring. A professional has the ability to give your piece of jewelry a deep cleaning which goes beyond the at home methods, by using professional-grade equipment and solutions (like a commercial ultrasonic and buffing/polishing machines). Jewelers can do a thorough cleaning in the hard-to-reach areas and intricate settings and designs.
The recommended frequency for getting your ring professionally checked and cleaned can depend on factors like the type of ring, setting, and how often the ring is worn. A general guideline is to get your ring professionally inspected and cleaned every six months to a year.
Cleaning: Professional cleaning helps remove dirt, oils and residue that has accumulated on your ring. This deep cleaning can also help remove stains and discoloration from substances like lotions, soaps, makeup, etc. and restore your ring to its original color and luster.
Maintenance: Regular inspections allow jewelers who have the expertise and tools needed to examine the condition of your ring and perform any required maintenance. Prongs can become loose over time, metal can wear down, and gemstones can become loose or chipped. Having a professional check your ring during these regular inspections helps find potential problems early and prevents further damage or loss of stones.
Security: Scheduled inspections will give you the peace of mind knowing that your gemstones will remain securely set and the prongs will be in good condition, keeping your diamond safe.
Insurance: Some insurance policies may require regular inspections as part of their coverage. Check with your insurance provider to see if they have any specific requirements for your diamond jewelry.
If you do notice a loose stone or damaged prong, do not wait until your regularly scheduled check up, get it inspected and repaired promptly! If you wear your ring daily or engage in activities that can put extra stress on your ring, you may want to see about getting more frequent inspections.
When a professional jeweler cleans and inspects your piece of jewelry for maintenance you can seek advice about their recommendations for proper cleaning methods at home, best places to store your ring and advised maintenance that is specific for your ring’s design and materials.
If you have a ring that is delicate or has intricate designs, having regular cleaning by a professional is even more important for preserving the beauty and value of your ring.
Maintenance Tips for Your Diamond Ring
During your professional cleaning, the jeweler will look for maintenance problems, but here’s what you can do in between those scheduled visits to keep your diamond looking its best. You can identify signs of damage or wear on your rings by carefully observing and paying attention to detail. Below are some items to keep in mind when looking for potential wear and tear:
Loose stone: Listen for any rattling sounds when shaking your ring gently near your ear. Inspect the prongs or settings that are holding your gemstones in place. If any prongs appear bent, worn, or damaged, the security of your diamond could be at risk.
Worn Prongs or Settings: when you inspect your prongs or settings, look for signs of wear, thinning, or bending. The risk of losing your stone increases with prongs or settings that are wearing thin.
Scratches or Dents: examine the surface of your precious metals to see if there are any scratches, dents, or other visible signs of damage. Everyday wear can cause surface scratches to develop over time due to everyday wear in precious metals like gold and platinum.
Thin or Worn Band: over time, constant wear can cause your band to thin or wear down. Look for signs of weakness, visible damage, or thinning to your wedding ring and band.
Faded Precious Metal Color: Ii your precious metal has faded or appears to have changed in color, it may indicate wear or damage. White gold rings may show signs of yellowing or a loss of rhodium plating, while silver rings may develop tarnish or discoloration.
If you spot any of these signs or have concerns about the condition of your ring, get it checked out at your earliest convenience by a professional jeweler. They will provide an assessment, recommend any necessary repairs, and help maintain the durability and beauty of your ring.
Additional Tips for Diamond Ring Maintenance
Proper handling and storage of diamond jewelry can help preserve the beauty and integrity of your ring. Here are some methods you may want to adapt.
Clean Hands: before handling your diamond ring, make sure your hands are free from any lotions, creams or oils as these substances can leave residues on your ring which will dampen its sparkle.
Avoid Touching the Diamond: try to avoid touching the diamond directly with your fingers to reduce the chance of leaving fingerprints or smudges on the diamond. Hold the ring by its band.
Take Care of Your Ring During Wear: be mindful of any activities that you engage in that may expose your ring to potential damage. Household chores, gardening, exercising, sports, etc. may leave your ring unprotected from harsh chemicals, blunt impact, or abrasion.
Transitioning Ring to and from your Finger: when removing your jewelry during those activities that could impact the health of your ring, store it in a safe and secure location. Be mindful when removing your ring to avoid dropping it someplace unsafe or accidentally leaving it laying in a random location that might be forgotten.
Store in a Safe Location: you could keep your diamond ring in a soft jewelry pouch or a lined jewelry box to protect it from dust and scratches. Avoid stacking any jewelry as diamonds can scratch other gemstones or precious metal surfaces.
Minimize Exposure to Moisture and Chemicals: avoid exposing your ring to excessive humidity like saunas, swimming, and washing dishes. Avoid harsh chemicals like household cleaners and beauty products.
Use a Trusted Professional Jeweler
To keep your rings looking their best, getting regular inspections is your best choice! At the Estate Watch & Jewelry Store in Scottsdale, we can help you with your scheduled cleaning and maintenance check.
We are happy to do jewelry repairs like ring sizing and soldering, stone setting and head replacement, and prong re-tipping. In addition, we offer professional cleaning and maintenance checks. If you decide to upgrade your diamond, we can also help. Keep your diamond ring in peak condition by letting us help you preserve the beauty and value of your ring for years to come!