Your engagement ring is likely one of your most cherished possessions, but between daily wear, hand lotions, and everyday dust, it can quickly lose that brand-new sparkle. Keeping your ring clean isn’t just about making it shine for photos; it’s also about protecting the metal and ensuring the stones stay securely in place for years to come.
In this guide, we’ll break down the simplest, safest ways to clean your ring at home and share essential care tips to keep your diamond or gemstone looking brilliant.
Caring and Cleaning for Your Engagement Rings: Step-by-Step Guide
You don’t need expensive tools or strong chemicals to clean your ring at home. The safest way, in fact, uses things you already have in your kitchen. Do these things every two weeks to keep your brilliance high.
Step 1: Make the solution for soaking
Put some warm water in a small bowl. Make sure the water is warm but not boiling, because sudden temperature changes can shock some gemstones. Put in a few drops of mild dish soap. Do not use soaps that contain lotions or moisturizers. These will leave a greasy film on the stone rather than clean it.
Step 2: Let it soak
Put your ring in the soapy water and leave it there for 20 to 40 minutes. This time, let the soap break down the oils from your skin, old lotion, and dirt that gets stuck behind the stone or in the prongs.
Step 3: Brush gently
After soaking, use a toothbrush with very soft bristles. The bristles on an old baby toothbrush are very smooth, which makes it perfect for this job. Gently scrub the ring, paying special attention to the diamond’s underside and the spaces between the prongs. These are the places where dirt builds up most, blocking light from reaching the stone and making it look dull.
Step 4: Rinse and dry the ring
Put your ring in warm running water to rinse it. To avoid accidents, either securely plug the drain or use a fine-mesh strainer. This is an essential tip. After rinsing, dry the ring with a lint-free microfiber cloth or let it air-dry. Don’t use paper towels because they may cause minor scratches on softer metals like gold.
Some Everyday Tips and Things to Avoid
Taking care of something properly means more than just cleaning it once in a while. It also means the things you do every day. You should be careful about when you take off your ring to keep it in good shape.
Refrain from using harsh chemicals:
Bleach, alcohol, and even certain common surface cleaners can break down the core metals in your ring or ruin the finish. Before you use cleaning products, always take off your jewelry.
Avoid skin creams and perfumes:
Lotions, hairsprays, and perfumes are the main things that make diamonds look dull. Your ring should be the final accessory that you put on when you get ready and the first item you take off at night.
Avoid wearing your ring during exercise:
Handling heavy gym equipment or gardening tools can bend your ring. If the band gets out of shape, the prongs may pull away from the stone, which could cause the diamond to fall out or become loose.
Refrain from wearing in water:
Cold water makes your fingers smaller, which makes it very easy for a ring to slip off without you noticing. Chlorine can also hurt and change the colour of the mounting over time.
Why Professional Maintenance is Important
Cleaning your ring at home is great for keeping it shiny, but it can’t replace a professional inspection. At least once or twice a year, you should go to a jeweller for a detailed jewellery examination.
At Solitaire x Alex Armen, we believe that luxury comes with a lifetime of care. We provide complimentary lifetime inspection and cleaning services for all our clients. This ensures your piece remains as breathtaking as the day you first wore it, while allowing us to catch potential issues before they become costly repairs.
Professionals can use ultrasonic cleaners and high-pressure steam machines to get to dirt that a toothbrush can’t reach. A jeweller will also check whether your ring is still structurally sound. They can tell if a prong has been worn down or if a stone is starting to wiggle by looking through a jeweller’s loupe.
If you catch these little problems early, you won’t have to deal with the pain of losing a gemstone. When you hire a professional to take care of your white gold ring, you can also have it rhodium-plated to restore its shiny, silver-white finish.
Looking for Engagement Rings That Set the Bar High? Find Them at Solitaire Jewellery
You don’t have to make taking care of your engagement ring a chore. You can keep your ring looking great by soaking it in water every other week and being careful about activities that could damage it. Keep in mind that your ring is strong but not indestructible. If you treat it with the care it deserves, it will stay shiny for years to come.
At Solitaire Jewellery, we offer free lifetime inspection and cleaning services for our clients.
Solitaire Jewellery has a carefully chosen selection of beautiful pieces that combine expert craftsmanship with classic style. Our rings are made to the highest standards so that they will last. You can choose between a classic single-stone setting or something more modern. Check our collection and find a ring that really stands out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to sleep with my ring on?
In most cases, it’s better to take it off. When you toss and turn, rings can get caught on sheets or hair, which can slowly loosen the prongs or put too much pressure on the band.
What should I do if my stone is loose?
Stop wearing the ring immediately if you notice a clicking sound when tapping the stone. Before you lose the stone, take it to a jeweller to have the prongs tightened.
How often should I clean my engagement ring?
While you should clean it at home every week or two, we recommend a professional inspection and deep clean every six months. Remember, for Solitaire Jewellery clients, this is a complimentary lifetime service.