Caring for Engagement Ring
We’d all love for our engagement rings to remain as sparkly as they were on day one, but over time, the ring can become dull due to dirt and other debris. Retaining the brilliance of an engagement ring thus requires a good cleaning and maintenance regimen. Here are some helpful tips for caring for engagement rings, including cleaning and storage advice.
Get Your Ring Regularly Cleaned
The accumulation of grime or grease on a daily basis can obstruct the light interactions in your precious stone, resulting in a loss of its luster. It’s a shame to possess a magnificently cut diamond that is too unclean to radiate its brilliance! Therefore, it is essential to clean your rings every few weeks, and while doing so, ensure that you cover the sink drainage to prevent any accidental losses. Here’s how to clean different types of rings:
- Platinum Rings
Begin by soaking your platinum rings in a solution of mild dishwashing liquid plus warm water for approximately 30 minutes. This will effectively remove any accumulated dirt and grime, effectively restoring the ring’s brilliance. Next, use a gentle and clean toothbrush to brush your platinum rings. After this, rinse them off in cold water and dry them with a soft, lint-free cloth. You may also choose to allow your clean platinum rings to air-dry atop the cloth.
- Gold Rings
To rejuvenate slightly worn gold rings, combine mild dishwashing liquid with warm water. The dishwashing solution effectively removes dirt, grime, and debris from your gold rings, and the warm water helps loosen any deeply embedded substances. If a more potent cleaning solution is required, add soda water to the mix, as the carbonation produces fizz that aids in the loosening of stubborn deposits.
- Silver Rings
Over time, all silver jewelry can appear tarnished and lose its shine due to exposure to air and light. To remove built-up grime and dirt from just slightly dull silver rings, you can soak them in a solution of warm water and mild dish soap. However, for more severely tarnished rings, this may not suffice. In such cases, you can create a thick paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water and applying it to your rings. Then, brush it off with a soft cloth to reveal the sparkling shine of your silver rings.
Take Them Off Before Doing Hand-Heavy Activities
Take off your ring prior to engaging in hand-heavy tasks such as cleaning the bathroom, landscaping, bathing, working out, or swimming. Cleaning agents that contain chlorine and bleach have the potential to react with the metals in your ring and lead to corrosion. The presence of impurities and chemicals in water can cause your ring to become discolored and lose its shine due to its reaction with metals. Additionally, vigorous physical activity can also strain your ring, resulting in loose stones or a misshapen band.
Never Hold Your Jewelry by the Stone
Precious stones are absolute magnets for accumulating dust and body oil, so it is imperative to avoid touching the stone. Instead, always hold the band supporting the stone on both sides. If the gemstone appears cloudy or murky, it may indicate that some contaminant is trapped beneath it. In such a case, it is best to have it cleaned professionally by a jeweler.