Ring Cleaning: Engagement Rings

Do you have a dull diamond ring?

It happens! Despite our best intentions to look after our precious engagement rings, over time life happens and before you know it, our stunning diamonds start to look a little less sparkly. Sometimes you don’t even notice it’s happened until you see someone wearing a bright shiny diamond ring and you realise it’s been a while since you admired your own engagement ring in the same way.

And that’s no good. Because diamonds are for life and should bring us joy each and every time we glance at them! That’s why we at Hoskings want to help you with some tips for how to clean diamond rings. And bring that luscious sparkle back!

Why do diamonds dull over time?

Here’s the good news, your diamond isn’t really getting dull. It’s simply getting dirty. Believe it or not, your precious diamond that was once great at attracting admiring glances, is also great at attracting dirt. Soap, hand lotion, hairspray and sunscreen will all build up on your diamond leaving it a little grimy. Even if you’re vigilant in trying to avoid getting lotions etc. on your ring, perspiration and cooking oils can stick to the diamond and will gradually make it look more and more dull over time.

What’s the best way to clean diamond rings?

Honestly, the very best way to keep your diamond rings looking stunning is to regularly maintain them at home. Giving your ring a quick wipe with a specialised cleaning cloth like these Connoisseur cleaning cloths every night and some liquid cleaner for the diamonds will help keep your engagement ring clean and sparkly. 

And it’s best to get them professionally cleaned at your jewellers at least once a year so that they never lose their sparkle. Of course, with the recent Victorian lockdown due to Covid-19, many of us simply haven’t been able to get to our jewellers, so it’s good to know some tricks of the trade when it comes to cleaning such a valuable asset at home.

How NOT to clean diamond rings

We hear terrifying stories of people using abrasive cleaning products or bleach, acetone or even toothpaste to clean their rings. All of these harsh cleaning products risk scratching the ring, leaving it vulnerable to further damage. We’ve even heard about someone heating their engagement ring in a pot of boiling water to clean it and we want you to promise us that you’ll never, ever do that! Promise? Good, now that we’ve got that sorted, let’s start looking at what you can do to keep those diamonds sparkly!

First things first

Before we tackle cleaning your diamond ring. Let’s have a quick chat about some regular maintenance you ought to be thinking of when it comes to caring for your ring. The simplest way to care for your diamond ring is to be aware of when and where you’re wearing it. Although diamonds are certainly very durable, there are some situations that are best avoided when you’re wearing your ring. For example, if you regularly apply hand lotion before you go to sleep at night, it’s a good idea to remove your ring first and place it in a little dish on your bedside table. Then wait until the lotion is absorbed before you pop your ring back on. A quick wipe over with these jewellery wipes before you pop your ring back on is an extra bonus!

It’s also a good idea to remove the ring and put it in a safe place before you go to the gym, as lifting weights or wearing boxing gloves could cause some damage. And the perspiration won’t help either.

Being cautious with general home cleaning products is also very wise. We’re not saying you can’t clean. Or are we? You can decide that for yourself. Wink wink! But if you do have to clean, just be mindful that harsh chemicals can affect your ring and can even discolour the metal. Likewise, abrasive products are a big no-no!

So what should I use to clean my engagement ring?

Cleaning your engagement ring doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, you probably already have everything you need to be able to clean your ring successfully at home. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Small non-abrasive bowl
• Warm water
• Dishwashing liquid soap
• Soft bristle toothbrush
• Paper towel

How to clean your engagement ring at home

Now that you’ve gathered everything you need to clean your diamond ring at home, find a good place to start cleaning your ring. If you want to do this standing beside the sink, please first make sure that there’s a plug in the sink or a strainer that will stop your precious ring from getting washed away should you drop it. We do not want you to have to Google “how to rescue my engagement ring from the drain”.

Next warm the water until it’s hot to the touch, but nowhere near boiling. Place the hot water in the bowl and add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid and stir so that it mixes with the water. You don’t need much, just enough for a few bubbles! Now gently place your diamond ring in the bowl and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. This will help to gently loosen any dirt and grime that’s built up on your ring.

Why do I need a toothbrush to clean my diamond ring?

Here’s the fun bit. Soaking your ring will help to loosen the dirt, but if you have any nooks and crannies in your ring, then a soft-bristled toothbrush is the perfect tool to help shift away any stubborn particles. Just gently scrub the toothbrush back and forth over the ring, including the under-side of the diamond and watch as those sparkles start coming back!

Once it’s all lovely and clean, rinse the ring with lukewarm water and place it on the paper towel to air-dry. If you’re in a hurry and need to dry it more quickly, use a soft jewellery cloth to avoid scratching your ring.

What if I want it to sparkle right away and I don’t have time to let it soak?

We get it! Sometimes we just need a quick solution to brighten our diamonds and our day! That’s where the Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stick comes in really handy. With its compact size you can even keep it in your handbag and when you need those extra sparkles, simply brush the cleaner onto your diamonds and rinse off for an immediate shimmer! It works really well!

How often should I clean my diamond ring?

Great question! The answer really depends on how often and in what circumstances you wear your diamond ring. For example, if you love baking and wear your ring every day, you’ll probably need to clean your ring every few days to avoid anything being stuck in the setting. But even with average wear, it’s good to clean your ring every week or so. At Hoskings we suggest our customers to have their rings cleaned professionally at least once a year.

Many of our savvy customers schedule a professional clean of their engagement ring just before their wedding anniversary, so that it’s ready and gleaming for their anniversary celebrations. And isn’t there something a little bit lovely about making the effort to recognise the importance of everything your ring stands for on that date? We’re pleased to report that romance is alive and well here at Hoskings!

What about ultrasonic cleaners?

Ultrasonic cleaners are becoming more and more easily available. Thanks Aldi! And they do work quite well for cleaning some types of jewellery. But we urge you to look at gentler alternatives for your precious stones. As ultrasonic cleaners work by sending vibrations through the water, they can loosen settings and result in the diamonds falling out. If not immediately, then later down the track. And there are few things worse than looking down at your diamond ring one day only to realise you’ve lost a stone. At Hoskings we’ll check the integrity of the ring with each professional clean in order to try and prevent this from happening, but we urge you to avoid ultrasonic cleaners in between times, just in case!

Where can I get my diamond ring cleaned professionally?

Ideally, you’ll want to take your engagement ring to a jeweller who has plenty of experience with looking after diamond rings. At Hoskings we’ve been caring for diamonds and other jewellery for more than 75 years, so you’ll know when you ask us to look after your diamond ring, that it’s in safe hands.

You can bring your rings in-store to be cleaned or call our friendly customer service team and they’ll help you decide the best way to clean your diamond ring.

In VIC/ NSW/ QLD & TAS call 1800 819 796. Or call (08) 8981 8895 if you’re in NT/WA or SA

Written by Niamh Hislop