The Tamesis
Notice your engagement ring is losing its luster? It’s not broken – you just need to refresh it. Fortunately, learning how to clean a diamond ring is easy. While diamonds are gemstones that can retain their luster for thousands of years, they can also temporarily lose their luster due to dirt that accumulates on the stone and setting. Luckily, all you need is a quick DIY cleaning to get your stone sparkling again.
“Cleaning your ring at home is a great way to maintain its shine,” says Lauren Grunstein, vice president of Verstolo, a fine jewelry company that provides diamond rental services. “Engagement rings (and all rings) get dirty quickly, but regular cleaning allows light to reach the stone, enhancing its brilliance and ensuring it looks its absolute best.”
Want to know how to do DIY cleaning that actually makes a big difference? Ahead, we asked jewelry professionals to give us the inside scoop on how to clean a diamond ring at home.
Why do diamond rings lose their luster?
Does your diamond look cloudy? This loss of light is not permanent. “Technically, diamonds never lose their sparkle. They are extremely durable, measuring 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness,” explains jewelry designer Jade Trau. “What actually happens is that they attract skin oils, soap residue, moisture, and everyday dirt. Once that builds up, the dust and debris stick to the surface, darkening the stone.” The good news is, this isn’t a death sentence for your ring’s brilliance. Incorporating diamond ring care into your daily routine can help. “This problem is easily remedied as long as you clean your jewelry regularly rather than waiting until the situation gets completely worse,” she shares.
Can I clean a diamond ring at home?
Short answer: Yes – and you should! “Regular at-home cleaning is a great way to keep your diamond sparkling like the first time you bought it,” says Megan Kothari, founder of bridal jewelry brand AARYAH. “Daily wear can cause oils, lotions and dirt to build up, which can dull a diamond’s brilliance. A gentle cleaning routine can help maintain your diamond’s brilliance between professional cleanings, just be sure to use the correct methods and products to avoid any damage.”
DIY cleaning methods
dish soap and warm water
Now it’s time to learn how to make your ring sparkle. “The easiest and safest way to clean a diamond ring at home is with warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush,” shares Kothari. After soaking the ring in soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub around the diamond and setting. Afterwards, rinse with clean water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
Windex and warm water
Another ring cleaning method is similar to the one above, but uses Windex instead of soap. Grunstein recommends using a solution of three parts water and one part Windex for the best cleaning formula.
Rubbing alcohol and warm water
A final alternative is to create a solution of one part rubbing alcohol to three parts warm water. This method allows you to soak the ring for less time. It only takes 10 minutes to solve the problem.
jewelry cleaner
You can also purchase jewelry cleaning solutions that can safely clean your rings in a pinch. “I think the easiest option is to use products you already have at home, like dish soap and rubbing alcohol. However, I’m also a fan of BrideBite, which was founded by Verstolo Brides and is perfect for travel,” says Grunstein. “Recently, we tested the Diamond Drunk, which also worked really well.” Another favorite is Shinery, which is essentially a hand sanitizer that allows you to clean your ring while it’s on your hand.
Mistakes to avoid when cleaning your diamond ring at home
“While diamond is the hardest natural substance on earth and fine jewelry is made for everyday wear, it’s important to remember that it is not indestructible,” shares Kothari. “A common misconception is that jewelry can handle anything.” This means you should take special care of your engagement ring, especially paying extra attention when cleaning it.
Use harsh chemicals
“Common Mistakes to Avoid to Avoid Damaging Your Precious Works [include] Using harsh chemicals, such as bleach or household cleaners, can damage metals and diamonds. ” said Kothari.
Scrubbing too hard
“Excessive scrubbing with a hard brush may loosen prongs, dislodge pavé diamonds, or scratch the metal,” advises Kothari.
Cleaning over an open sink
Jewelers also recommend not cleaning over an open sink. “Always make sure you’re in a safe position to prevent your ring from slipping into the drain,” she says.
Cleaning mixed gemstone rings at home
If your ring contains pearls or other gemstones, you may want to postpone cleaning it at home. “Some gemstones and pearls are porous or have surface coatings that may not be permanent,” shares Kothari. “It’s best to check with your jeweler to ensure proper cleaning.”
Not handling silver properly
While gold and platinum can easily follow soap and water cleaning methods, silver rings should be treated differently. “You can restore its shine with home remedies like a mixture of vinegar and baking soda or an at-home silver polishing kit,” says Grunstein.
Clean pavé gemstones using ultrasonic jewelry cleaner
Considering whether you should buy an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine? If your ring is more complex than a simple solitaire, you may want to think twice about this decision. “I can only talk about the one we use – which is completely safe and suitable for everyday use –but If you own jewelry or an engagement ring with small or pavé diamonds, you need to be very careful. It can cause stones to fall out,” advises Grunstein. “You should really trust a professional for a deep clean! “
How often should you clean your engagement ring
Now that you know how to clean your ring, you may be wondering how often you should clean it to keep your stone sparkling. “You can clean your ring as much as you want, but why not start the new year with a good habit? Aim to clean your ring every two to four weeks to keep it looking its bright, beautiful and sparkling best,” advises Grustein.
How about a quick polish?
Deep cleaning your ring isn’t always necessary. There are other solutions you can adopt in a pinch. “I keep a simple plastic Tupperware, a soft toothbrush, and a small bottle of Dawn dish soap under the sink. If I forget to steam or ultrasonic clean my jewelry while I’m at work and want my jewelry to not just sparkle, but really sparkle, I’ll add a drop of soap and some warm water to my morning routine and let the jewelry soak,” says Trau. “I then gently rinse it with a brush before putting it on.” She adds, “An important tip is to make sure the ring is completely dry before wearing it to avoid irritation.”
When to Seek the Help of a Professional Jeweler
Just like you go to the doctor every year, it is recommended that you take your engagement ring to a professional jeweler once a year for a cleaning and inspection to understand the condition of the ring. “A professional cleaning will keep your ring looking like new (there’s nothing better than that!), and the jeweler can check to see if there are any loose stones or repairs needed,” says Grunstein. “Also, we encourage customers to keep a cleaning nearby—everyone feels better because of sparkling jewelry.” Kothari adds that you should also pay a visit if you feel a stone rattling in its setting: “This is a sign that the stone is loose and needs immediate attention to avoid losing it.”
How to keep your diamond ring clean longer
Since use can cause grease and dirt to build up, giving your diamond ring a rest whenever possible will help keep it clean. “I keep trinket trays in the kitchen, bathroom, desk, and bedside table, etc., so it’s easy to do,” Trau suggests. “I always take my rings off for yoga, cooking, and I definitely leave them at home to go to the beach or anywhere that involves sunscreen or moisturizer.” She adds: “Taking a little extra care when wearing your jewelry goes a long way toward keeping it clean and shiny.”
Meet the experts
- Lauren Grunstein is vice president of sales, marketing and public relations for Verstolo, a fine jewelry company that offers diamond rentals. She has over six years of experience in the jewelry field.
- Jade Trau is the founder of her eponymous jewelry brand in New York City. She began her career sourcing diamonds before she began creating her own designs.
- Megan Kothari is the founder of bridal jewelry brand AARYAH. She has owned and grown her own business for over ten years.
