Safe and Effective Ways to Clean Diamond Jewelry
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Hand lotions, hair styling products, and everyday grime all leave enough of a film on your diamond ring to keep it from looking its best. If you wait too long between cleanings, those materials can accumulate into a thick layer of gunk on the back of your diamond, blocking light and making the diamond appear dull and lifeless.
Diamond rings are an investment, so take care when it's time to make your diamond ring sparkle.
But not so fast. Before you clean your diamond rings, it's important to learn how you can prevent grimy diamond rings in the first place. Are you guilty of any of these fine jewelry mistakes?
Why Diamonds Need Special Care When Cleaning
Diamonds are durable, but that doesn't mean we can bring them back to life with any old cleanser. Coatings and other materials used to enhance diamonds can sometimes be removed by harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing. Also, precious metals in diamond settings can be porous, soft and prone to damage, especially when exposed to harsh chemicals, exfoliants, or cleansers.
How to Clean a Diamond Ring at Home:
1. Soak your diamond ring in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water. Ivory
dishwashing liquid is a popular choice, but any other mild detergent is fine.
2. Use a soft brush if necessary to remove dirt. Soft is the key -- don't use a brush with
bristles that are stiff enough to scratch the ring's metal setting. Pay special attention to
the undercarriage of your ring. Underneath the diamond and between the prongs is
where dirt and grime build up. If your diamond appears hazy or dull when it hadn't
before, it is likely due to a thick layer of gunk in this general area. Purchase the softest
toothbrush you can find and carefully work your cleaning solution underneath your
stone.
3. Swish the ring around in the solution and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
4. This next part seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how many times skipping this
step leads havoc and a call to the plumber. Close the drain first, or put the ring in a
strainer to keep it safe. Then rinse the diamond ring thoroughly in warm water.
5. Blot the ring dry with a lint-free cloth. If the diamond and setting needs extra help, use
a dental irrigation device, such as a Water Pik, to flush away small bits of grime. You
can also use a wooden toothpick to very carefully push dirt away from the diamond and
setting. Then repeat steps 3-5.
Should I Use Ammonia to Clean a Diamond Ring?
Diamonds that have not been fracture filled and have not been treated in any way can be cleaned with a solution of ammonia and water. Be sure to read the instructions carefully because too much ammonia can severely damage your setting.
Use the gentler liquid detergent solution for fracture-filled diamonds, because ammonia can eventually either cloud or remove the coating that's been placed on the gemstone.
Cleaning Rings with Multiple Types of Gemstones
The method you use to clean jewelry should protect its weakest element. In other words, not all jewelry can be cleaned the same way because some elements are much more fragile then others. If your ring includes other gems, clean in a way that is suitable for the less durable components. Try out some of these DIY at-home jewelry cleaning solutions and find one that works for your specific piece of jewelry.
How to Protect Diamond Rings While Cleaning
As we touched on earlier, chemicals such as chlorine can damage and alter your jewelry. Wear gloves AND remove your rings anytime you are handling chlorine or harsh detergents.
Remove your rings completely anytime you wash dishes or your hands. Don't think that washing your dishes with rings on is both cleaning the dishes and rings. This habit is likely doing more harm than good. Plus, washing your hands with rings on can lead to soap residue build up which is very unsightly. Also, you risk losing your diamond ring down the drain!
Edited by: Lauren Thomann
Source: The Spruce
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