How to clean your diamond
There are few things that hypnotize more than watching your diamond engagement ring shine and dance in the light after it has been freshly cleaned and polished, and it’s only natural to want to keep this bling. And while you can always bring it to a jeweler for professional cleaning, it’s good to know how to clean your diamond ring yourself. Regular cleaning at home will keep your ring shiny and in the best possible form between the professional cleanings.
Daily wear forms layers of oil, debris and cosmetic waste on the stone surface. The dirty rings are a fertile soil for bacteria, which can cause skin irritation, discoloration of metals and scratching of the stones, so knowing how to clean your engagement ring at home is important to it seek its best and free of germs. It should be noted that house cleaning is not a substitute for professional care. Although you can easily evict surface build-up and restore shine, cleanings in your jewelry will safely remove the hard layers of deep, compressed soil and debris.
The best jewelry cleaner in this instance is simple dishwashing soap. Additional supplies you’ll need can nearly all be found right at home: a bowl, warm water, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and a gentle cotton cloth. Remember to steer clear of harsh household cleaners and sanitizers, which can actually do more damage than good to your diamond. We talked to Mark Mann, the director of Global Jewelry Manufacturing Arts at the GIA, to find out exactly how to maintain your ring’s optimal shine with easy at-home cleaning.
How Often Should I Clean My Ring?
To find your ring its best, try to clean it once a week. That’s enough to keep daily oil and accumulation at bay. However, about twice a year, it is good to take it to be cleaned in your jewelry box – even more often if your ring has been exposed to a high degree of debris. “If you are very active outdoors or in the kitchen and there is a hard, compact oil or dirt layer, it is best to have them cleaned with products of professional quality that safely restore the shine of the stone safely,” Mann says. You may get away with it less often by taking it off during activities that damage or pollute it.