Signs that it’s Time to Clean your Engagement Ring

Bridal jewelry is one of the most cherished items we’ll ever own. So, it’s no surprise that we take great pride in wearing our engagement rings and wedding bands. Engagement rings in particular have more parts that are susceptible to attracting dirt and grime with everyday wear. Slowly without you even being aware of it, engagement rings lose the sparkle that we love. 

It might surprise you to learn that even with careful wear, your engagement ring is drawing tiny elements out of the air that dull your ring and hide its gorgeous look. From the moment you first put on your treasured engagement ring, through all the normal daily activities we routinely do—errands, doing dishes, and other things in our active life, our engagement ring is front and center—because everything we do involves using our hands.

Chemicals, cleaning products, and hand sanitizers we use come in close contact with our bridal jewelry. Soon it begins to show just what it’s been going through. But just like anything else that’s worn daily, coming into contact with various products, it can start to show by dulling the appearance of our rings. Our once-gleaming engagement rings, a symbol of love begin looking lifeless and worn out. That’s the last thing we want to see in our bridal jewelry, isn’t it? 

Maybe you’re looking at your rings right now, thinking it’s probably time for a good cleaning so they can look as brilliant as the day you got them. 

Tell-tale Signs

 Do any of these things match what your engagement ring looks like now? 

1. Overall ring discoloration or dull surfaces on the metal
2. A cloudy appearance to your diamonds in the ring
3. Dark spots especially on the underside of the diamonds or main stones

Fortunately, if this is what your ring looks like, there’s no need for worry. Your dulled diamond ring hasn’t lost its shine. It’s underneath all that accumulated grime, and can easily be remedied.  

Did you know that both natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds act as a magnet for grease and oils? There are some naturally occurring properties in these gemstone materials that attract oil, grease, and that sort of thing. Diamonds are even attracted to the natural oils on your fingertips, so they can stick to them as well. At first, it doesn’t seem to make any difference in the ring’s brilliance. However, over time this fine film clings to the diamonds in your ring. In short order, it blocks out light as it dims the normally radiant glistening of these stones. 

Even water rinsing over your rings is not enough to dislodge the dirt hiding in your ring. Your diamond ring needs a little more effort than that. You’ll be surprised to know what a little attention and care will do to dissolve all that stubborn grime and grease. This is a good time to share some handy cleaning tips that the pros often use as well. We promise, with this regime, you will be once again looking brilliant and can easily stay that way.

Engagement Ring Cleaning Tips to Try 

Here are our top 2 methods for engagement ring cleaning that you can safely use at home on any kind of stone and metals to make them look showroom new:

Soap, Water & a Soft Toothbrush 

No matter what kind of setting or metal your rings are made from, using a gentle soap and warm water solution is always safe. All you need is a small bowl, warm water, and dishwashing liquid. Allow your ring to soak for at least 20 - 40 minutes. Did your ring get dulled from hard-to-remove substances like hair products, makeup, or lotions? Then use a soft toothbrush and give it a good scrub to loosen that residue. After that, rinse your ring thoroughly under warm running water in a sink with a good drain cover, or a large bowl. Take a look at your ring to see if there’s any residue remaining. If so, simply repeat the previous steps. Finally, gently dry your ring on a lint-free cloth.

Non-Abrasive (non-chemical) Ring Solutions 

Try giving your ring a thorough cleaning with a professional-grade solution made for fine jewelry that states it’s chemical-free and non-abrasive. These jewelry products are made to effortlessly restore and clean diamonds, precious gems, and precious metal jewelry without risk of damage to the stones or settings. Make sure it doesn’t include acetone, bleach, chlorine, or other harmful products.

If you still feel your ring needs help to look as it did when it was new, then maybe it’s time to call in the professionals who have special equipment to properly inspect and deep-clean your ring. After you’ve given your ring a professional cleaning, you can continue to use the at-home methods to maintain its sparkle.

A good cleaning routine for your engagement ring

To keep your engagement ring in tip-top shape (so others envy your gorgeous ring) you should consider making a scheduled date to clean your ring every two weeks, with a deep clean once a month. Follow through with a visit to your jeweler yearly for a professional cleaning and inspection to make sure there are no loose stones. 

It’s a Date! Every 2 Weeks Remove Daily Buildup 

Maintain the look of your ring by gently cleaning your ring every other week. This can be done in just 20 minutes with just a bowl, dishwashing soap, and a soft toothbrush to give the diamonds and metal band a gentle scrub. Wipe away the excess moisture with a lint-free cloth.

Once a Month Do a Thorough Cleanse 

Get out your calendar and set aside some time once a month to give your ring a more thorough cleaning. Take your ring and submerge it in a gentle cleansing solution to dissolve away grime and dirt that your weekly cleaning may have missed. 

Annual Pro Cleaning & Inspection

 get your ring cleaned and inspected by a professional every year. A trained jeweler inspects your ring for loose stones or bent prongs. They’ll clean your ring with professional equipment that you don’t have.

It’s simple to maintain the sparkle and new appearance of your ring when you follow these simple tips.