An engagement ring is one of the most precious and, usually, the most expensive gift you will ever receive. As such, it’s only natural that you’ll do anything to keep it looking good as the day you first got it.
Each engagement ring is unique. Each of them comes with a different set of stones, metals, and settings. This also means that each engagement ring has different ways to clean and care for. As such, you need to know what type of care your ring requires before you start cleaning it.
Below are tips for cleaning engagement rings and keep them sparkling forever.
- Know Your Ring
Before you begin the cleaning process, you must first be aware of the type of ring you have and the materials used in its construction. This is to avoid damaging your jewelry.
For example, if you have a diamond engagement ring that you got from Diamond Source NYC, take some time to learn how to clean diamonds properly. Although diamonds are extremely durable, it’s still important to properly care for them.
If your ring has treated diamonds, you’ll have to use specialized cleaning techniques to prevent these gems from getting discolored. You can ask a professional jeweler how to clean treated diamonds. As for non-diamond engagement rings, you’ll need to look at the gem. When cleaning soft gems such as pearls and turquoise, you’ll need to be very gentle with them and avoid using any chemicals.
- Check The Condition of The Ring
It’s also important that before you start cleaning your engagement ring, you should look at it closely to check its current condition. See if your ring has loose stones, warped prongs, cracks, or missing details.
If you do, it’s best if you can take your ring to a professional jeweler immediately who is experienced and equipped in cleaning it without causing further damage to your precious jewelry. Not only will they be able to clean it properly, but they can also fix any issues or problems your engagement ring might have.
- Know When to Clean It
Everyone agrees that once you put on your beautiful engagement ring every single day without taking it off, it will certainly go through a lot. From the moment you put it on, it’ll be on your ring finger when you do your errands, such as washing dishes or other chores that require the involvement of your hands.
Just like everything else that we wear daily and comes in contact with different things, your ring will look worn out. Even if you have the most expensive and most beautiful engagement ring in the world, it’ll eventually look worn out if you wear it every day.
If you look at your ring and wonder when is the right time to clean it, here are signs that you should watch out for:
- Dull shine
- Discoloration
- Turned colorless
- Cloudy appearance
No need to panic, though, once you see that your engagement ring has lost its shine and beauty because it’s just being blocked out. If you are wearing your ring every day as you do different kinds of things throughout the day, it will start to collect dirt, grime, and oils.
You see, diamonds are a magnet for grease and oils. Over time these things will coat your diamond and block out its beauty and radiant shine. These things will also continue to accumulate on your ring, especially if you don’t clean your jewelry regularly.
Washing your ring daily with clean water can help dissolve dirt and grime that has accumulated in it.
- Use A Soft Brush
Use a soft bristle brush like a toothbrush that you use for sensitive teeth to reach into the crevices where dirt and grime are stuck. Usually, children’s toothbrushes are ideal to use for cleaning engagement rings, especially diamonds.
Now, scrub the ring gently at different angles with your brush. Focus more on the sides and underside of the gem because these areas are where dirt tends to accumulate and they are hard to reach. Don’t forget to brush the base of the ring where the diamond is mounted, as a lot of dirt can also accumulate on this area.
Once you finished using the brush, store it away from other toothbrushes and only use it when you are going to clean your jewelry. This is to keep the softness of the brush longer. Keep this toothbrush separate for any others and only use it to clean your jewelry. This way, it will stay soft and clean for longer.
- Polish Your Ring Regularly
When you are wearing your engagement every day, it’s a good idea to polish it for a couple of minutes a day using a lint-free cloth. Polishing your ring regularly can actually help remove some of the residue and dirt that has accumulated on it. By doing so, you don’t have to clean your ring as often as you do. It’s also best if you can incorporate this into your daily routine.
- Have A Professional Clean Your Ring At Least Once A Year
You can always clean your engagement ring at home. But it’s best if you can actually have a professional clean it at least once per year. The professional can also inspect the settings of your ring and make sure that all the gems are secure.
This is especially true if your ring contains very delicate materials such as pearls or opals. By having a professional clean your ring at least once a year, you can ensure that your ring and its precious gems stay beautiful and don’t get damaged.
Final Thoughts
Despite your best care, all rings need cleaning from time to time. This is especially true if you are wearing it every day. Clean your ring as often as it is needed so you can keep it looking at its best. With proper cleaning and care, your engagement ring will look brand new regardless of how many years it has been after your wedding.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and TJM Media Pvt Ltd. is not responsible for any errors in the same.
