5 Tips for Properly Cleaning Your Engagement Ring
Your engagement ring is probably one of your most treasured jewelry pieces and carries a lot of sentimentality behind it. You want to maintain its unique, dazzling beauty.
Still, you also expect to wear it daily and be able to have it on your finger wherever life’s adventures take you.
Jewelry experts have some great recommendations for properly caring for your engagement ring. There are some simple dos and don’ts that come with ring cleaning. Several myths on social media are floating around about cleaning products that could actually harm the integrity of your ring. Instead, check out these tips from professionals who truly know how to preserve a ring’s appearance and durability.
Tip #1. Soak in Plain Soap and Water
It doesn’t get any easier than this at-home cleaning tip, according to Tom Burstein, Christie’s international jewelry director. He recommends placing the ring into a mug of lukewarm water mixed with a few drops of Ivory or any other mild soap. Let it soak for a few minutes, then use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently scrub the stone and basket. Rinse the ring with fresh water, and pat dry with a non-chemical, lint-free cloth.
Before you begin, this is essential: Don’t forget to cover the drain! Hundreds of people lose jewelry every year, including engagement rings and wedding bands, down the drain. Yes, it happens often. Some also flush their jewelry away accidentally. Very few are lucky enough to recover their lost jewelry when this occurs.
Tip #2. Avoid Chemicals and Abrasives
The wrong cleaning concoction can erode the metal on all types of engagement rings. Stay away from bleach and chlorine, as well as toothpaste and acetone. These are recipes for disaster. Even your favorite hairspray can affect the metal of your band and create an adverse reaction.
Your cherished rings are vulnerable to damage and discoloration. Proper cleaning is always key. How about a jewelry cleaner product? Again, caution is advised because each engagement ring has a unique metal base and/or coating. If your beautiful engagement ring has rhodium plating, for instance, this particular element can become degraded from a jewelry cleaner and result in a dull appearance.
Tip #3. Never Use an Aggressive Touch
It’s no secret that engagement rings are made to look stunning and are of exceptional quality and durability. However, jewelry has a delicate side, too. It’s important to clean with a gentle touch and not to rush the process. Allowing your ring to soak in plain soap and water is great, but don’t use a heavy hand. Gentle scrubbing is ideal. If you’re not careful, you could scratch the metal of your ring or loosen the stone. Jewelry experts also say that taking the time to hand-clean your engagement ring allows you to notice any issues that may have developed, such as a loose setting or damage to a prong.
Tip #4. Daily (and Nightly) Wear Leads to Built-Up Gunk
You may be wondering why it’s recommended to properly clean jewelry, especially your rings. Those in the industry say that once weekly is a good step to maintain your jewelry’s integrity and dazzle.
It doesn’t take much to ruin a precious piece of jewelry like an engagement ring. Your hands are busy and get into a lot of stuff. Accidental damage can occur. That’s why removing your rings is important if you plan to exercise or do other strenuous activities.
More importantly, many people forget that buildup happens to jewelry, especially when worn on the hands and wrists. Even moisturizing lotions for the hand can cause these formulas to accumulate on the metal’s band and form a residual film. Cooking oils can also leave a cloudy sheen. You should remove your ring before washing your face, showering, bathing, or swimming. Also, remove your ring before cooking, doing the dishes, applying makeup, etc. And remember to cover that drain!
Also, remove your engagement ring before going to sleep to keep your jewelry in mint condition. This is another excellent habit to follow, but many individuals ignore this advice.
Tip #5. How to Clean Gold-Plated Rings
Engagement rings made with gold plating are gorgeous and don’t require much cleaning, but an added ingredient for this specific metal can bring on the shine, and you can do this at home.
Follow the same tips as outlined above in Step #1. Lukewarm water and drops of plain soap is the ideal mixture for cleaning gold-plated jewelry. Next, add a couple of drops of ammonia and soak your rings. Then, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the jewelry.
Jewelers recommend rinsing your ring with lukewarm water to remove the mixture. Then, gently dry your engagement ring or allow it to air-dry on a plush towel.
A Romantic and Valuable Symbol
An engagement ring is special to everyone who wears one; it’s been a tradition that has endured for many centuries. In today’s modern world, an engagement ring can look like anything you dream of because there are no hard rules. For most, an engagement ring is a true symbol of enduring love and commitment. It may not seem so romantic to clean an engagement ring. However, with a little effort and patience to keep this precious piece of jewelry clean and safe, it can live on and follow you through life’s many moments every step of the way.