A diamond engagement ring is the focal point of any jewelry collection. Not only are diamond rings one of the most expensive jewelry pieces available, but they usually come with a high sentimental value that feels irreplaceable.
Although your diamond ring is unique and valuable, it can still accumulate dirt and debris and lose its shine. Luckily, Knowing how to clean a diamond ring at home will help you maintain its brilliance between professional cleanings.
Learn the steps to keep your diamond engagement ring in pristine condition and why it’s essential to treat your collection to regular cleaning.
What You Will Learn
Benefits of Regular Cleaning
Knowing how to clean diamonds is essential for maintaining their brilliance and hygiene.If you wear diamond jewelry regularly, like a diamond engagement ring, you’ve probably noticed how oils, debris, and cosmetic residue can collect on the diamond’s surface. This build-up can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria, discoloring your diamond, and irritating your skin.
Regular cleaning at home helps dislodge this surface buildup so your ring can regain its original sparkle.
It is easy to clean your diamond engagement ring at home using common products you may already have around the house.
How Often Should You Clean Your Engagement Ring
A gentle cleaning twice a month is usually enough maintenance if you wear a diamond engagement ring daily. It is a good idea to take your diamond engagement ring to your jeweler for a professional cleaning twice each year for a deeper, more thorough cleaning.
Using an ultrasonic cleaner, your jeweler can safely remove the deeper layers of compressed dirt and debris that you couldn’t get out at home. An ultrasonic cleaner uses high-frequency sound waves transmitted through a specially formulated solvent to clean the surface of the jewelry.
During their engagement, some women choose to clean their diamond engagement ring (or have it cleaned) before important wedding events, like the bridal shower or rehearsal dinner. Before the photographer arrives, a quick scrub and polish will help your diamond pop in pictures.
How to Clean Your Diamond Engagement Ring
Before cleaning your ring, make sure none of the diamonds are loose in their setting. If your ring has a loose diamond, take it to your jeweler, who can secure or re-tip the setting prongs before cleaning.
Here’s how to clean a diamond ring:
- Warm water
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Dish soap (such as Dawn)
- Ammonia (a couple of drops)
- Polishing cloth
First, mix the dish soap and a couple of drops of ammonia into warm water. Leave your diamonds to soak in the warm water mixture for as long as needed, generally between 20 and 40 minutes.
After soaking, use the toothbrush to scrub the piece. A soft-bristled toothbrush can help you get to the harder-to-reach places. You may need to soak your ring again or for longer if all the debris does not come up with the toothbrush.
Then, allow your piece to air dry. Air drying your ring is the safest way to ensure it does not get damaged. Do not dry your ring with paper towels; they can scratch the metal and leave debris.
Once the piece dries, use the polishing cloth to remove any watermarks and polish the piece. Polishing cloths are infused with a protectant solution to prevent scratches and help prolong the shine on your jewelry.
Diamonds are chemically resistant and can come into contact with many solutions without harm. However, harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine, or acetone can damage the metals used in your diamond ring setting. Additionally, abrasive products like baking soda, toothpaste, and powdered cleaners can easily damage metals and should be avoided.
When To Take Your Ring For Professional Cleaning
If you’re thinking “how often should I clean my engagement ring?” Jewelers recommend taking your engagement ring to be professionally cleaned every six months. Your jeweler may use an ultrasonic cleaner that uses a special cleaning solvent and emits high-frequency sound waves to remove debris from your ring and restore its sparkle.
Ultrasonic cleaning is considered the best way to clean a diamond ring and the only way to completely remove grime and buildup from elaborate settings, such as pavé, split-shank, or prong.
Can You Clean Your Engagement Ring Too Much?
Although it is safe to clean your engagement ring every day, if you use harsh chemicals or scrub too vigorously, you can scratch the ring’s finish or loosen the stones. Never use chlorine bleach or abrasive powder cleaners on your engagement ring.
Insure Your Diamond Engagement Ring with BriteCo™
Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth, but they can still get damaged or lose their luster. Protect your diamond engagement ring with jewelry insurance from BriteCo™.
Standard homeowners policies rarely cover the cost of replacing fine jewelry like a diamond ring. BriteCo™ offers a comprehensive engagement ring insurance policy that covers loss, theft, damage, and mysterious disappearance.
BriteCo™ covers up to 125% of your ring’s appraised value. With convenient monthly payments and no out-of-pocket costs, BriteCo™ makes it easy to protect your collection.
Get a custom quote for the cost of your BriteCo™ insurance policy in minutes.
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The Best Homemade Jewelry Cleaner Recipes
How to Clean Turquoise Jewelry at Home
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