Pro Tips for Keeping Your Diamond Engagement Ring Clean and Shiny

 

An engagement ring is one possession that holds value beyond its price tag. It’s a memento, a reminder, and a symbol of the deep affection, commitment, and one of the biggest decisions you’ve ever made in your life. Something so precious deserves to be well taken care of and preserved for a lifetime. 

 

Despite their hefty price tags, diamond rings are relatively low-maintenance. (Diamonds are, after all, the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth.) You only need to keep these few things in mind too so they’ll stay clean and shiny all the time for a long, long time.  

 

Insuring Your Diamond Ring

 

The first thing you should do with your diamond ring as soon as you buy it or receive it is to get it insured. You can be extra careful about handling your ring, but you can’t guard against everything, like theft or accidents. If something happens to your ring, at least you have some consolation that you can get it replaced or repaired although it won’t be the same as having the original in perfect condition.

 

Before choosing your insurance provider, get your ring appraised, and search for different options. Check every company’s policies and coverage thoroughly to see if they have the services you need. Will the policy cover theft, accidental loss, or damage? Will they pay for a replacement or repair on a cash basis or through reimbursement? Don’t hesitate to ask relevant questions and probe their policies and services.

 

Cleaning Your Diamond Ring

 

Whether it’s a luxury two-carat diamond ring or discount jewelry, it’s all the same when it comes to how you clean it. You must be gentle and use the right products when removing dirt from your ring.

 

You don’t need to go far to find suitable cleaning products. Most of them can be found in your kitchen or bathroom. The metal and gems used in your engagement ring matter when choosing the right products to clean it.

 

For All Types of Metal Jewelry

 

In general, soap and water are safe for cleaning all types of metal jewelry—silver, gold, and platinum. Diamond also fares well when soaked and cleaned with soap and water. Just mix a mild dishwashing soap and warm water, and soak your ring for 20 to 40 minutes in the mixture. Gently remove dirt and stains with a soft-bristled brush, and rinse in warm water. 

 

You can also use a nonabrasive and chemical-free product to clean your jewelry. Diamond rings can be cleaned using a solution of equal parts ammonia and cold water to restore their sparkle. Soak the ring in the solution for 30 minutes, brush gently, rinse, and wipe dry. Never use ammonia to clean rings with gemstones other than diamond as it can ruin them.

 

Vinegar is also a powerful, all-round product for cleaning jewelry. It’s safe for cleaning gold and silver accessories, but you shouldn’t let it touch gemstones and pearls.

 

If you have denture tablets, you can use them to make your diamond ring shiny again. Just melt one tablet in a glass of water and leave your ring to soak in the mix for several minutes. Rinse and dry, and there you have it, a brand-new-looking diamond ring!

 

For Solid-Gold Jewelry

 

Solid gold rings are timelessly elegant and beautiful, but over time, they can lose their luster because of all the natural oils, cream, lotion, and dirt they’ve been exposed to. Don’t worry, though. The solution is nearer and cheaper than you think. All you need is a can of beer. Yes, beer.

 

Beer, excluding dark ale, is an excellent cleaning agent for solid-gold jewelry. You just need a little bit of beer on a soft cloth, enough to dampen it. Gently rub your ring with the beer-soaked cloth, avoiding the gemstone, until all the contaminants are removed and its luster returns. Wipe the ring dry, and you’re good to go!

 

For Silver Diamond Rings

 

Vinegar mixed with baking soda is excellent for cleaning your silver diamond ring. You just have to mix one-half cup white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda and stir the mixture. Let your ring soak in the solution for two to three hours, rinse with cold water, and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

 

Ketchup is not only great with fries, but it’s also pretty effective at cleaning and returning the shine of tarnished silver. Just dip your silver jewelry in a bowl of ketchup, leave it for a few minutes, and gently clean the piece of jewelry with a soft-bristled brush. Wash the ring with lukewarm water then dry with a soft cloth. Your jewelry will then look like it’s brand-new.

 

Handling Your Diamond Ring

 

Prevention is better than cure. In the same way, preventing your diamond engagement ring from getting dirty or damaged is better than getting it cleaned or repaired. You don’t have to treat your ring like it’s a delicate thing, but you should at least be more conscious about where and when you wear it.

 

Don’t wear your ring when you’re doing chores. You may be reluctant to take off your newly received engagement ring, but think of the dust, dirt, grease, and potentially damaging chemical it would be exposed to while you’re doing chores. Even if you clean your ring regularly, microscopic contaminants can adhere to the surface and hide in crevices, and it will take a professional to remove all the traces.

 

Worse than that, some household products can damage your ring permanently, so it’s better to avoid exposing it to any of these hazards. And be selective about the products you use for cleaning your diamond ring. If you’re not confident about choosing the right cleaner, just use jewelry-safe home remedies. You can save money and lessen the risk of messing up your priceless ring.

 

Also, keep yourself from touching the center stone constantly, and don’t take off your ring just anywhere, especially in public. Take care of your diamond engagement ring as if it were an extension of your body.