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Why Cleaning Your Diamond Ring is Important
Diamond engagement rings are designed to last a lifetime — but everyday wear can quickly dull their brilliance. Substances like lotion, sunscreen, soap residue, and natural skin oils can coat the surface of your diamond and block light from entering and reflecting. This leads to a noticeable loss of sparkle and brilliance. Over time, buildup not only affects a diamond's shine but can also cause long-term wear on the metal and setting. Regular cleaning helps preserve your diamond’s brilliance, supports hygiene, and protects the overall integrity of your diamond engagement ring.
How Often to Clean Your Diamond Ring
A few factors that influence cleaning frequency include daily wear versus occasional wear, level of exposure to skincare and beauty products, and physical activity. To keep your diamond engagement ring looking its best, following this cleaning routine:
- At-Home Cleaning Once a Week: To prevent oils and dirt from settling into your ring, clean your diamond engagement ring gently at home once a week.
- Professional Cleaning Every Six Months: Jewelers will typically clean your diamond engagement ring with a high-grade steam cleaner or ultrasonic tool. This professional cleaning is recommended every six months. This routine gives your diamond engagement ring a deeper clean and allows a jeweler to inspect for loose stones or early signs of wear. If you own a Brilliant Earth ring, you can get complimentary ring cleanings from one of our jewelry experts at any of our showrooms.
The Best Way to Clean Your Diamond Ring at Home
To keep your diamond engagement ring sparkling, we recommend using the following method for your at-home weekly cleanings. The following process and materials work for any metal type and is the safest way to clean your diamond engagement ring at home.
Remember, different ring materials require different care. Before cleaning, it's important to identify:
- Metal type: Platinum is durable and tarnish-resistant. White gold is often rhodium-plated and requires gentler care to preserve the coating. Yellow gold and rose gold can scratch more easily.
- Setting style: Prong, pavé, channel, tension, and bezel settings each hold dirt in different places and affect how you clean the diamond engagement ring.
- Vintage or antique rings: Older pieces may have fragile prongs or softer metal. Avoid aggressive cleaning and seek professional evaluation before using any cleaning method.
Knowing your ring's composition helps you avoid damage and ensures long-term care.
Cleaning Materials Needed:
- Mild dish soap
- Warm water
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth
- Small bowl
Steps:
- Prepare the Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water in a small bowl. Avoid using harsh chemicals or household cleaners as they can damage the metal or loosen the stone.
- Soak the Ring: Place your diamond engagement ring in the solution and let it soak for about 20 to 40 minutes. Soaking helps to loosen dirt and grime from the diamond and the setting.
- Brush Gently: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently scrub the diamond and the setting. Pay special attention to the back of the diamond, where dirt tends to accumulate. Use gentle, circular motions to avoid scratching the metal.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the ring under warm running water to remove any soap residue. Make sure to plug the drain or use a strainer to prevent the ring from accidentally falling down the sink.
- Dry Carefully: Pat the ring dry with a soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth. Avoid using paper towels or tissues as they can scratch the metal or leave fibers behind.
There are a few other methods for cleaning a diamond engagement ring that include materials like Windex, hydrogen peroxide, jewelry cleaner solution, and vinegar — but these methods only work for specific types of metals. For metal-specific cleaning methods keep the following things in mind:
- Platinum Diamond Rings: Clean with mild dish soap and warm water, using a soft brush for tight spaces. Platinum doesn’t tarnish, but it can develop a patina — cleaning helps maintain its polished finish.
- White Gold Diamond Rings: Soak in gentle soapy water and brush carefully to avoid damaging the rhodium plating.
- Yellow Gold Diamond Rings: Soak in warm, soapy water for 20-30 minutes, then gently brush with a soft toothbrush
- Rose Gold Diamond Rings: Clean with warm water and mild soap, then dry thoroughly as this copper-containing alloy can tarnish with moisture.
What to Avoid Cleaning Your Diamond Ring With
While cleaning your diamond engagement ring at home is generally safe, there are certain practices and substances you should avoid to prevent damage, including:
- Harsh Chemicals: Avoid using bleach, chlorine, acetone, or other harsh chemicals. These can weaken the metal setting and dull the appearance of the diamond.
- Abrasive Materials: Steer clear of abrasive cleaners or scrubbers, such as baking soda or toothpaste. These substances can scratch the metal and damage the diamond.
- Ultrasonic Cleaners: While ultrasonic cleaners can be effective, they are best used under the guidance of a professional jeweler. The intense vibrations can loosen stones, especially in older rings or those with intricate settings.
- Commercial Jewelry Cleaners: If you choose to use a commercial jewelry cleaner, ensure it is specifically formulated for diamonds and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Maintaining the brilliance of your diamond engagement ring involves regular, gentle cleaning using mild soap and water. Avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive materials is key to preserving the ring’s beauty and integrity.
FAQ
How do you clean your diamond ring without jewelry cleaner?
You don’t need jewelry cleaner to clean your diamond engagement ring at home. Our recommended at-home cleaning method is dish soap and warm water. This method is safe and effective. For a quick sparkle you can rinse and gently wipe your diamond engagement ring with a damp microfiber cloth.
How do you keep your diamond ring clean?
Keeping your diamond engagement ring clean isn’t just about cleaning, it’s about preventing dirt and damage in the first place. These simple habits will help keep your ring clean and sparkling:
- Take your diamond ring off before applying beauty products, serums, lotions, sunscreen, or perfume
- Remove your diamond ring when washing dishes, cleaning, or using household chemicals
- Do not shower with your diamond ring on to prevent shampoo, conditioner, and soap buildup
- Handle your diamond ring by the band — not the stone
What is the safest way to clean your diamond ring?
If you’re cleaning your diamond engagement ring at home, it is safest to clean your ring with mild dish soap, warm water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a microfiber cloth. As a precaution we recommend cleaning your diamond engagement ring in a bowl, but if you choose to clean your ring over the sink, make sure the sink is plugged.
How do you deep clean your diamond ring?
You can tell if your diamond engagement ring needs a deep clean if:
- Buildup persists after routine cleaning
- Diamond appears cloudy from underneath
- You notice dark spots near the setting
If your ring still looks dull after your regular at-home cleaning or has buildup you can’t remove, it’s time for a jeweler to step in. Professional cleaning not only gives your diamond engagement ring the deepest clean, but it allows a jeweler to inspect for loose stones and signs of wear.
How do you clean a diamond ring to make it sparkle?
Substances like lotion, soap, and natural skin oils can coat the surface of your diamond and temporarily reduce its shine. You can prevent this by avoiding direct contact with your ring's center stone, as skin oils can dull its brilliance. If you've applied skincare or beauty products, gently wipe the diamond with a clean cloth afterward. When cleaning, to maximize sparkle, rinse your diamond engagement ring thoroughly to remove soap residue and dry it with a streak-free microfiber cloth.
Can you use vinegar to clean your diamond ring?
Vinegar can be used to clean your diamond engagement ring, but we recommend using this approach with caution. Vinegar may help remove buildup but is not recommended for delicate metals or gemstones; it's especially important to avoid using it on white gold, silver, or soft stones. For the safest cleaning method, opt for mild dish soap and water.
Can you use toothpaste to clean your diamond ring?
No, we do not recommend using toothpaste to clean your diamond engagement ring. Toothpaste is abrasive and can damage metal.
Can you use Windex or other household cleaners to clean your ring?
No, we do not recommend using Windex or other household cleaners on your diamond engagement ring. These products may contain chemicals harmful to metals and stones.
