Although it holds the reputation of being the hardest natural substance on earth, a diamond can actually accumulate dirt and lose its sparkling appeal. The same can happen to your treasured diamond ring, whether it is an heirloom from your mother or a ring that marked your engagement to the partner. It is not only expensive. It has a sentimental value that makes it even more precious.
If you are thinking of cleaning your diamond ring, then you’ve come to the right place. Maintaining your jewelry, a diamond ring, in particular, is relatively easy. The important thing is that you know what you are doing. We have gathered some of the ways to help you clean your diamond ring at home.
When to Clean Your Ring
Diamond rings require regular maintenance. Many experts recommend cleaning it every couple of weeks, especially if you are doing household chores and other arduous activities like outdoor sports.
When you are cleaning your diamond ring regularly, it will keep its sparkle and eventually shorten the cleaning process in the long run. However, you need to keep in mind not to do it every day because too much cleaning can cause unnecessary wear and loosen the side stones.
Cleaning Your Ring Setting
Your ring’s setting only needs a simple cleaning solution, whether it is in gold, silver, or aluminum. What you need is a small bowl, warm water, and mild dishwashing soap. This is especially recommended for semi mounted engagement rings as they require careful attention and a gentle cleaning process. Depending on the gravity of accumulated dirt, you can soak your ring on the solution from 20 to 40 minutes. If there are residues from hairspray, lotion, or perfume, use a soft toothbrush to avoid accidental scratches on the metal. When the time is up, rinse the wedding ring under warm running water.
When it comes to silver and gold ring settings, using ammonia mixed in a cup of warm water can brighten them up. After, you can clean it with a soft cloth and leave it to dry.
Restoring Your Diamond’s Sparkle
Any glass or jewelry with crystalline gemstone can benefit from a few drops of vodka. A glass of vodka is the perfect solution to restore the sparkle of your diamond ring. You can dunk it in the vodka and let it sit for a few minutes.
If you want to spruce up your diamond ring, then using a window cleaner solution can do the trick. All you need to do is to spray on the cleaner and use an old toothbrush to clean it up. Just make sure to be gentle.
How to Care for Your Ring
Cleaning your diamond ring on a regular basis is one thing. However, taking care of your ring is quite another. There are things that you should do and should not do to avoid damage to your ring or hasten its age.
One of them is to avoid thick lotions and creams that can build a residue on your ring, making it look and feel dirty. It can also lead to discoloration, especially in the case of white gold and platinum settings.
Another consideration is to take care not to knock your ring against hard objects because although diamonds are resilient, it can chip the band and loosen the setting. Make sure to take off your ring if you are going to do strenuous activities and put it in a safe place.
Why Your Diamond Ring Need Gentle Cleaning
Although known to be durable, a diamond ring cannot go through just any type of cleaning process using any old cleanser you can get your hands on. It requires gentle and careful handling since the coatings and other materials on your diamond ring can be washed away by harsh chemicals.
Vigorous scrubbings are also a no-no. Diamond rings can also be porous and soft. They are prone to damage so you should be careful not to expose them to strong exfoliants and cleansers.
Conclusion
Diamond rings are precious. Some of them are heirlooms and keepsakes that hold sentimental value to the owner. Others are cherished because they mark their engagements. It is only logical that if you own a diamond ring, or are planning to purchase one, you should be able to take care of it and keep it at its best condition, which means knowing how to clean it even from home.
Diamond rings are an investment, after all. Learn how to clean and care for it to prevent damage and keep its sparkle. Remember, taking care of your jewelry requires effort, commitment, and dedication. Make the job easier by doing it regularly.
