How to Clean a Diamond Ring: Common Mistakes to Avoid

LISA

To properly clean a diamond ring, you don’t necessarily have to get a professional cleaning. You’ve got everything you need in your home! It’s as simple as some soap and water – enough to preserve your diamond’s shine.

Here are some materials you can first gather at home:

• Soft, lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth
• Soft-bristled toothbrush or other soft brush (kid’s size works best)
• Mild, gentle dish soap (preferably detergent-free, e.g. original Dawn)
• Lukewarm, preferably filtered water
• Hair dryer
• Small bowl

Regardless of the type of metal, you can fill a small bowl with warm water and gentle dishwashing soap and soak your ring for 20 to 40 minutes. With either a lint-free cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush, you can scrub off any buildup, dirt, or oil. (Hopefully, there’s not too much!)

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Prepare Cleaning Solution: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with tepid water in a small bowl.
2. Soak the Ring: Submerge the diamond ring for about 15 minutes to loosen dirt.
3. Scrub Gently: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the diamond and setting, focusing on areas where dirt accumulates.
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse under warm running water; use a strainer to avoid losing the ring.
5. Dry with a Hair Dryer: Use a cool setting to prevent water spots.
6. Pat Dry: Use a lint-free cloth; avoid paper towels.
7. Polishing: Use a polishing cloth to restore the metal’s shine, avoiding direct contact with the gemstones.

Note: This process also applies to sapphire and ruby engagement rings.

A Guide to DIY Engagement Ring Cleaning

If you own a silver ring, you can soak your diamond ring in a small bowl of distilled white vinegar or witch hazel with lemon essential oil and baking soda mixture for two to three hours, which will restore the silver’s shine.

If you own a gold ring, you can pour a few drops of beer (yep, beer!) onto a small cloth and rub it gently onto the band to restore the gold’s luster.

Cleaning your diamond ring every week or two weeks is considered standard, especially if you wear it every day and lead an active, exciting lifestyle. Dirt and grime dim a diamond’s shine by blocking the light’s reflection. Regular at-home cleaning and taking your ring to a professional cleaning and inspection every 6 months will ensure your diamond will last for a long time.

After you clean your ring, it’s a good habit to check for loose stones. Gently tap your stone close to your ear. If you hear any rattling, you should visit a jeweler for repair.

DIY Cleaning for Emerald or Soft Gemstone Rings

• Process:
  • No soaking: Use only a soft toothbrush with plain water or a damp cloth.
  • For stones that are fracture-filled, dyed, cavity-filled, or oiled, use a damp cloth only.
  • Wipe with a soft cloth, ensuring the ring is dry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Diamond Engagement Ring

Powdered cleaners and toothpaste can erode the metal and discolor your ring. The metal can also be broken down by harsh cleaning chemicals such as household cleaners, bleach, chlorine, and acetone. Ouch...

Another common mistake people make when cleaning their diamond rings is using paper towels, scrub pads, or napkins as these could easily scratch the metal. Use a cloth or air dry your ring instead!

Avoid covering your ring with any thick cream or lotions. This will create a lot of residue build-up on your ring.

Products to Avoid When Cleaning Jewelry

• Harsh chemicals (bleach, chlorine, acetone/nail polish remover)
• Alcohol-based cleaners
• Household cleaners (Windex, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar)
• Abrasive cleaning products (toothpaste, baking soda)
• Paper towels (can scratch metals)

If you wash or soak your ring over a sink, make sure the drain is covered! It is very common for people to drop their precious ring and lose it down the sink. The horror!

(In case you were wondering, we’ve repaired rings that have fallen down a sink or garbage disposal. It’s not cheap or easy, but we were successful.)

You can soak your diamond, gold, or platinum rings overnight. If you own an inlay ring such as turquoise or onyx, or if your ring has pearls, emeralds, or soft, porous stones such as malachite, it is not recommended to soak them overnight.

If you are engaging in a particularly messy or chaotic task, it may be best to remove your ring altogether and keep it in a safe place until you are done. This can include swimming, bathing, playing sports, cooking, cleaning, gardening, applying lotion or makeup, lifting heavy objects, and more. Your ring can only handle so much!

Approved Diamond Cleaning Solutions

If you want to buy a diamond-specific cleaning solution, you can choose from many, many options. You can ask a jeweler in advance for their opinion on which product is best for your ring and its materials.

For a “super hi-tech" cleaning product, use ultrasonic jewelry cleaners. They rely on heat, vibration, and chemicals to create bubbles that cling onto the dirt, oil, and unknown residue on rings to break them down.

Ultrasonic cleaners are incredibly efficient, cleaning multiple rings at a time, and are great for diamonds and sapphires.

When to Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner

• Safe Stones for Ultrasonic Cleaning:
  • Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel, Alexandrite (both natural and lab-created).
• Stones to Avoid Putting in an Ultrasonic Cleaner:
  • Amethyst, Peridot, Tanzanite, Garnet, Emerald, Opals, Turquoise, Moss Agate, Moonstone, Zircon, Pearls.
• Recommended Cleaning Solution: Dish soap and water – avoid professional-grade solutions.

When to Seek Help from Krikawa Custom Jewelers

• Loose Stones, Bent or Broken Prongs, Cracked Shank: If you notice any of these during at home ring cleaning, it’s time to take the ring to a jeweler for repair.
• Discoloration: If your ring is rhodium-plated, discoloration may be an indication that the ring needs to be re-plated. If your ring is exhibiting signs of tarnishing, it may need to be professionally polished.
• Annual Checkup: At home cleaning shouldn’t replace professional inspections, as regular check-ups are necessary for long-term health of your jewelry.

Looking to purchase a ring? Krikawa has a large selection of exquisite rings and has a unique customization design process made easy.

There are three simple ways to create your dream ring with Krikawa.

1. Take a five-minute quiz to brainstorm ideas.
2. Browse our exquisite catalog of rings.
3. Consult and work with a designer to craft and find the perfect ring.

We offer GIA-certified white diamonds, lab-created alternatives, sapphires, gemstones, and fancy-colored diamonds.

When you pair these together with a unique wedding band, you will have the best handcrafted ring imaginable. We’ll be happy to show you how to clean the diamonds in person too.