There's just no way around it: your rings are going to get dull and dingy. Even if you don't regularly come in contact with dirt and grime, the natural oils from your skin can dim the fire of your wedding and engagement rings. Luckily, with just a little bit of time, you can get that showroom shine back anytime you want. Here are few dos and don'ts about
cleaning diamonds.
The Simple Method. All you need is a mild detergent (nothing with bleach or chloride of any kind), a small bowl, a soft brush, a lint-free cloth, and a strainer or colander. Fill the bowl with warm water and detergent, and let your ring soak in it for ten or fifteen minutes. Come back and use the soft brush to gently scrub all over the ring, working up a slight foamy lather. Rinse the ring over the colander (never rinse your ring over a sink drain!), and dry it with the lint-free cloth.
More Advanced Options. There are several products on the market whose only purpose is cleaning diamonds. Sonic cleaners can be purchased for home use, though these may not be worth the investment unless you'll be cleaning a lot of pieces fairly often. Jewelry specific cleaning solutions and cloths are also available.
Things to Avoid. While it's true that metal and diamonds are quite strong, it's important to remember that there
are ways to damage them. When cleaning diamonds and diamond jewelry:
- DO NOT use a high-pressure spray nozzle to rinse.
- DO NOT use bleach or any chemical that contains chloride.
- DO NOT use steel wool or a brush with stiff bristles.
- DO NOT rinse your ring over an open drain without using a mesh strainer or small-holed colander.
It's always a good idea to bring your jewelry to your jeweler once a year to address scratches and loose settings, and nearly every store will clean your pieces in the process. But cleaning diamonds yourself is a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to keep your jewelry as brilliant as the day you bought it, all year round.
