There’s nothing more mesmerising than watching your diamond engagement ring sparkle in the light after it’s been freshly cleaned and polished – and it’s only natural to want to maintain that shine. Whether you’ve just got engaged and want to know the best way to clean your engagement ring at home or you usually take your diamond ring to the jewellers for professional cleaning and just want to know how to clean your diamond ring yourself too, we’ve rounded up the best ways to clean a diamond ring at home so your ring can sparkle once more.
With 720 people every month searching for ‘how to clean an engagement ring‘ and 590 people each month wondering ‘how to clean diamond rings at home‘, we asked the experts at Hatton Jewellers to put together their must-follow tips and advice on how to clean a diamond ring. A diamond ring will last a lifetime but, if not regularly cleaned and looked after carefully it can start to appear dull and worn over time. Cosmetics, perfumes, skin oils and other factors can affect the natural brilliance of them and scratches start to appear on the metal band.
Managing Director at Hatton Jewellers, Robert Cuomo told us: “We recommend getting jewellery cleaned at least every six months either professionally or at home to keep it looking new. Regularly check for warning signs of vulnerability in your jewellery, such as checking for loose stones or prongs. This may prevent the need to spend more money to replace lost stones later down the line.”
How to clean a diamond ring at home
Whilst taking your ring to a professional cleaner is recommended for the best results (especially with antique rings), it is possible to maintain your ring’s shine with home remedies too. Follow the below tips for diamond, gold and silver ring cleaning.
Do not use abrasive materials when cleaning your jewellery, harsh materials could easily lead to scratching or damaging the item. You should also use gentle pressure rather than forcefully cleaning as this could lead to further damage.
How to clean diamonds
To clean your diamond rings, get a small bowl of warm water and mix with any mild liquid detergent. Brush your jewellery gently with a small soft brush and be careful not to scratch the metal and diamond. Rinse thoroughly under water and pat dry with a soft lint free cloth. Use a quick dip liquid jewellery cleaner to keep your diamond rings and jewellery shiny.
How to clean gold or silver metal
Light tarnish is easily removed by using warm soapy water and brushing gently with a soft old toothbrush. Rinse in cool water and dry carefully with a soft lint free cloth. Another way to keep your silver jewellery shiny is to use a silver cloth.
How to store and protect your engagement ring
There are many things you can do to keep your ring looking newer for longer and avoid having to get repairs. Storage of your diamond engagement ring is key, alongside removing your ring when carrying out certain everyday tasks….
- In between regular cleaning, store your ring in a clean, dust-free location. For example, the box the ring came in or a jewellery box with a soft lining.
- Avoid mixing your new ring with old jewellery; leaving your brand-new diamond alongside a tarnished gold chain is most definitely a bad idea as any tarnishing may transfer and your diamond could scratch other metals.
- Store at room temperature and avoid storing in direct sunlight.
- Always put your jewellery on last when getting dressed. That includes putting on aftershave, perfume, hair products or make-up beforehand, as they can all damage it.
- Remove your ring when doing any of the following things:
- Washing your hands or taking a bath or shower – you don’t want to submerge it in water or expose it to products like shower gel and shampoo.
- Swimming – salt water can be corrosive to your jewellery item and chlorinated water can have a negative impact making the metal erode.
- Exercising – this causes body moisture which can dull the shine of your jewellery. Whilst this isn’t as big of an issue with rings, they may still get scratched during a workout.
- Gardening or outdoor activities which involve using your hand’s – small rocks can be abrasive and permanently damage the appearance if marked. Sometimes if this is damage to gemstones or diamond it can be costly to repair and can even be irreversible.
How often should you clean your engagement ring
To keep your diamond ring looking its best, try to clean it once a week – especially if you’re very active outdoors. That’s enough to keep everyday oil and buildup at bay. However, it’s always a good idea to take your ring to be cleaned professionally at a jewellers at least twice a year.
