From the moment it slips onto your finger, your engagement ring becomes one of the most essential pieces of jewellery in your life. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple silver band or an extravagant, dazzling diamond ring; it represents so much more than just monetary value. Something this precious requires careful attention, but do you know how to clean an engagement ring? Is it possible to learn how to clean a diamond engagement ring at home, or should you always leave it to the professionals? And how often should you clean an engagement ring?
An engagement ring is one of those pieces of jewellery that become a part of us, always on our finger, always on our mind. So, how do you take care of it? In this article, we’ll give you all the tips and expert advice you need to keep the sparkle in your engagement ring. We’ll explore the best way to clean your engagement ring and discuss why it’s essential to care for it regularly. With step-by-step instructions and answers to your most frequently asked questions, this is your definitive guide on how to clean your ring.
Why do you need to clean an engagement ring?
While engagement rings are designed to be worn every day, they still require occasional care and attention. We put our hands through a lot, from washing dishes to applying makeup, working, playing sports, and even gardening. Through this, your engagement ring is being exposed to the same dirt and environmental grime as your hands. To keep your ring looking its best, especially on the big day, cleaning an engagement ring should be an integral part of your jewellery care routine.
Regular cleaning can prevent dirt and grime from clouding the lustre and sparkle of a diamond or other gemstone. Constant exposure to dust and dirt can also introduce micro-scratches onto the surface. These can harbour all kinds of microscopic dirt particles that will, over time, dull the stone’s surface.
A dirty, lifeless engagement ring that’s lost its shine sends out the wrong message, too, especially to the person who gave you the ring. Keep your romance alive by ensuring your engagement ring is always in stunning condition when you wear it.
And yes, we do need to discuss value, especially for a high-quality ring. If you ensure your expensive engagement ring stays clean and well-maintained, it will retain its value, which is crucial if you want to pass it down to the next generation as a family heirloom. Vintage rings that have been passed down through the family may also benefit from a thorough cleaning, which can reveal details you never noticed before.
How to clean an engagement ring – before you start…
You may be tempted to dive straight in and get cleaning. However, before you do, it’s wise to conduct a few checks first.
Firstly, it’s vitally important to check the condition of the ring, especially if it’s a vintage ring. If gemstones have become loose over time, even the most gentle of washes may dislodge a precious diamond. The first time you may know of it is when you’ve already tipped the water down the sink! If you have any doubts about the security of a gemstone in its setting, don’t attempt to clean your diamond engagement ring at home – give it to a professional goldsmith for repair and cleaning.
Secondly, check the gemstones, as some cannot tolerate cleaning even in plain water. Gems such as opals and pearls need specialist cleaning as immersion in water can dull the stone or even crack an opal.
If you’re sure that everything is secure and you’re not dealing with fragile ‘exotic’ gems, we can start getting everything together and start cleaning.
What you’ll need
Don’t worry if you’ve never cleaned a ring before; it doesn’t need complicated equipment, just stuff you’ll easily find around the house. For a general engagement ring clean, you’ll need:
How to clean a diamond engagement ring at home
Start by adding a small amount of liquid soap to the warm water. Place the ring into the bowl and allow it to sit for 20-30 minutes. This gives the soap enough time to soften any grime that may have built up on the ring, making it much easier to clean.
After soaking the ring, you can begin cleaning it.
For the delicate corners behind the stone, around the setting, and in between the prongs of the setting, use a toothpick to gently work away any dirt you see. Stop frequently and dip the ring in the soapy water, giving it a gentle swish to remove any dirt you’ve loosened.
Solitaire engagement rings often have an open-back setting, which means the back of the stone is exposed. Use a cotton bud to clean out the back, being careful not to push against the stone, especially if the ring is a vintage one.
For the band, a soft brush is ideal for cleaning the inside and outside, especially if the inner surface is engraved. The soft bristles will remove any dirt that may have worked its way into the lettering, revealing crisp, precise lines.
Once you’ve carefully cleaned each part of the ring, rinse it in clean, warm water and place it on a tissue pad to air dry. Avoid using a heat source, such as a hairdryer, to dry it more quickly. Simply leaving it in a sunny spot on the windowsill is ideal. When the ring is completely dry, use a soft microfibre cloth to remove any watermarks left from the cleaning process and buff the ring to a brilliant shine again. Remember, at every stage, gentleness is the key to avoiding scratches or damage to the ring.
What about other types of engagement rings?
Not everyone wants a gold and diamond engagement ring. Other options include silver rings, platinum, and even exotic metals like Damascus steel, tungsten or ceramic. The majority of engagement rings can be cleaned using the soapy water method, but some may need a slightly different approach. For example, silver tarnishes over time. To bring it back to its best, you can use silver dip cleaner, but be aware that this may not be suitable for some gemstones. You can also use the ‘tin foil and baking soda’ method, where a chemical reaction between a baking soda solution and ordinary tin foil can miraculously restore silver’s unique lustre.
Our top tip: If you’re not sure how your ring will react to standard home cleaning methods, or if you have an exotic ring, talk to an expert who will be able to advise you on the best way to clean an engagement ring.
Alternative ways to clean your engagement ring
A baking soda paste applied to an engagement ring is a good way to gently lift off surface dirt, but don’t be too overzealous with the scrubbing – remember that a gentle touch and plenty of patience are the best ways to clean a diamond engagement ring at home.
Don’t be tempted by the old ‘toothpaste’ technique – it may leave your engagement ring minty fresh, but the abrasives in toothpaste can create tiny microscratches on the surface, especially on soft metals like high-carat gold and platinum, or on softer gemstones.
If you regularly clean jewellery at home, a small ultrasonic cleaner might be a good investment. This uses vibrations to literally shake the dirt loose from the surface of your ring without the risk of scratching it. Ultrasonic cleaners can be easily purchased online and cost only a few pounds, making them an excellent investment, especially for cleaning vintage jewellery.
Talking of vintage
Engagement rings are often passed down through generations. If you have a second-hand or vintage engagement ring that has lost its sparkle due to decades of grime, the soapy water method of cleaning an engagement ring will usually restore it to its former glory. Ultrasonic baths are also a great way to revive it without resorting to scrubbing or rubbing that may damage a delicate ring. After a good clean, a pre-owned engagement ring needs a gentle polish with a soft cloth, and it’ll look like new.
Again, our advice is that if you have any doubts about the integrity of a vintage ring setting, don’t attempt to clean it yourself. It’s much wiser to take it to a professional jeweller who can check that the settings are in good condition, the gemstones are sitting firmly in place, and that there are no micro-cracks in the metal band. They can also clean it so that it looks like new.
FAQs
How often should you clean your engagement ring?
If you wear your engagement ring every day, giving it a gentle clean once a month is sufficient to keep it looking its best. A vintage ring could benefit from a deep clean before that ‘down on one knee’ moment to keep the magic of the proposal alive, and then again, regular monthly cleans to keep it looking its best.
How should I store my ring?
To prevent dust from collecting on the surface, store your ring in a lined ring box or soft bag when not in use. If you have to take your ring off frequently, why not place small ring dishes around the house (for example, next to the washing-up bowl or in the bathroom) so you can remove your ring before scrubbing the pans or soaking in the bath?
What can I soak my engagement ring in to clean it?
Warm, soapy water is the best choice for cleaning the majority of rings. If you have a porous gemstone as your centrepiece, such as an opal, or there are genuine pearls in the design, it may need to be professionally cleaned by a jeweller, as soaking in water can dull the lustre. For stubborn dirt, you can use a baking soda solution to remove particulates, or pop it into an ultrasonic cleaner and use a specialist jewellery cleaning solution.
Can you use alcohol to clean an engagement ring?
It’s advisable not to use alcohol to clean an engagement ring, as it can damage the surface of gemstones and dull them. That is why professional jewellers recommend that if you wear perfume, you apply it first, allow it to dry (and for the alcohol to evaporate away from your skin) and then put your jewellery on.
How can I restore the sparkle of the diamond on my engagement ring?
Diamonds are one of the hardest substances known to man, so a polish with a soft cloth should instantly make a diamond sparkle without too much effort! You can also use the advice in this article on how to clean a diamond ring using warm water and simple soap.
Should I insure my diamond engagement ring?
Yes. At TH March, we’ve been offering specialist jewellery insurance for 130 years, from single items to entire collections. Insuring your diamond engagement ring is a smart move, providing you with complete peace of mind. While you can never place a value on the memories, sentiment, or significance of an engagement ring, if it is lost, stolen, or damaged, engagement ring insurance will go some way toward covering the cost of finding a replacement.
Engagement ring insurance is affordable, easy and quick, covering items that may not be included in your house contents insurance. You can find out more about our products by browsing our Jewellery Insurance Services page, or contact us direct and talk to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors today.
Resources
https://www.vogue.com/article/engagement-ring-rules-care-how-to
https://www.theknot.com/content/how-to-clean-diamond-ring-at-home
https://www.frankjewelers.com/blogs/blog/how-to-clean-engagement-ring https://www.bespokediamonds.ie/how-to-clean-your-diamond-engagement-ring/