Engagement Rings
Diamond Engagement Ring Care and Cleaning
Best Recommended Tips From the Experts
Mastering Diamond Ring Care: 8 Essential Cleaning Tips
Lab diamonds are stunning and resilient, but they do need to be cared for. The same holds true for Diamonds, Moissanite, and Precious Gemstones. Keeping your diamond ring and jewelry clean is vital because hand lotions, hair products, food particles, and everyday dirt can make it look dull. Even a simple touch can leave oil deposits, diminishing their sparkle.
Regular cleaning is key to preventing the accumulation of substances on the back of your diamond, which can block the light and make it appear dull and lifeless. Maintaining the brilliance of your rings and jewelry is of utmost importance, considering it's a significant investment. Below are a few insightful tips on properly caring for your engagement ring.
Clean Your Jewelry Regularly
When your diamond gets dirty, it loses its shine because dirt blocks the light. Regular cleaning is essential to make sure your diamond looks its best. This applies to all fine diamond and gemstone jewelry. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Clean Your Diamond Jewelry?
- Dirt and grime can dull the sparkle and brilliance of your precious stones.
- Regular cleaning helps maintain their true beauty.
How Often Should You Clean Your Ring?
- For a diamond ring, aim to clean it once or twice a week to keep it sparkling.
- Use a gentle cleaning solution to avoid damaging the diamond or its setting.
Cleaning Tips:
- Avoid harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing, which might remove coatings or damage precious metals.
- Use mild cleansing ingredients to keep your engagement ring and fine jewelry brilliant.
Remember, a little care goes a long way in keeping your diamond jewelry looking stunning! If your ring or jewelry requires cleaning, use the steps below to bring back the sparkle and brilliance of your diamond.
Cleaning Steps
If your jewelry is in need of a thorough cleaning, rest assured that the following steps will work wonders. They are designed to significantly enhance the shine and appearance of your gemstone and setting.
- Begin by immersing your jewelry in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and water for at least 20 minutes. (Any mild dishwashing liquid will do the trick.) Alternatively, you can use a solution of one part ammonia and six parts water. It's as simple as that! Use a soft brush if necessary to remove dirt. Soft is the word—don't use a brush with bristles stiff enough to scratch the ring's metal setting.
- Swish the ring in the solution, then rinse it thoroughly in warm water.
- Dry the ring with a lint-free cloth.
Tip: Close the drain or put the ring in a strainer to keep from losing it!
Note: If after steps 1-4, your jewelry still doesn't sparkle as when you first received it, you will have to re-do step 1, except this time leave it to soak overnight. This will allow the dirt and oils to loosen up and wash away much more easily.
If the diamond still needs to be more brilliant than when you first purchased it, you will need professional cleaning. Please get in touch with us at service@quorri.com for available options.
Ring Polishing
Taking care of your engagement ring involves more than just cleaning it regularly. Occasionally, you’ll need to polish it as well. Here’s what you should know:
Why Polish Your Ring?
- Polishing helps maintain its shine and appearance.
- But be cautious—frequent polishing can make the ring thinner by removing metal with each polish.
When to Polish:
- When you bring your jewelry in for cleaning, we might also polish it.
- Make sure to communicate whether you want that extra polish.
Recommended Frequency:
- Get a professional polish every two to three years to keep your ring looking its best.
Don’t Use Harmful Solutions
To keep your jewelry looking its best, avoid using harmful substances. Chlorine (found in household bleach) and abrasive cleaners (like toothpaste) can harm your jewelry, especially diamonds. These chemicals may damage the gold and even change the color of your gemstone. Also, prolonged chlorine exposure in hot tubs or pools can have similar effects. When cleaning your jewelry, remove your rings or wear gloves to protect them. Taking good care of your jewelry ensures it stays beautiful and lasts a lifetime!
The Hard Truth About Diamonds
Popular Belief: Many people think that diamonds, including lab-grown ones, are indestructible due to their hardness.
Reality: While diamonds are incredibly hard, they are not indestructible and can experience the following:
- Fracturing: Diamonds can fracture or break under certain conditions.
- Bruising: Yes, even diamonds can get bruised! This happens when they experience pressure or impact.
- Chipping: A hard blow or scrape can chip a diamond, whether it's a new ring or an old one.
Avoid Rough Work: Be mindful of your beautiful jewelry when doing rough tasks. Here's why:
- Grocery Cart Handles: Those seemingly innocent grocery cart handles? They're notorious for being tough on rings.
- Car Doors: Hitting a gemstone against a car door has a similar impact to hitting it with a steel hammer.
- Safety First: Remove your jewelry and keep it safe before gardening, playing sports, swimming, or tackling challenging chores at home.
Diamonds are precious, but they're not invulnerable. Treat them with care, and they'll sparkle by your side for an eternity!
Eternity Rings
Extra care should be taken for eternity rings. Their popularity and look are beautiful, but an eternity ring (even if it were a mined diamond one) is one of the most maintenance-intensive rings and is at high risk for damage. This is because there are always stones at the bottom of the ring that are the initial contact with every object you touch and grab onto. This pressure can eventually cause the stones to give way or get damaged. Here is a great link to provide you with an insight into eternity rings: What you should know about Eternity Bands
Jewelry Storage
Even the hardest gemstones can be vulnerable to breakage. That’s why carefully storing your jewelry is so important. Jewelry boxes can be a bad idea if all your pieces are piled on each other. Remember, diamonds, rubies, and sapphires can easily scratch other gems, metals and each other. The best idea is to wrap pieces individually to keep them pristine. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your jewelry in a cloth pouch or a separate compartment in your jewelry box.
Regular Professional Cleaning
We recommend having your jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected once every year (depending on wear) to keep it looking its best and ensure the workmanship hasn't been compromised.
What Does It Involve?:
- Cleaning & Inspection: Professionals will clean your jewelry thoroughly and check for any issues caused by accidents or wear.
Why Is This Important?:
- Prevent Loss: Regular inspections help prevent losing your precious diamonds or accents.
- Early Detection: Small problems (like loose stones or damaged prongs) can be fixed before becoming more significant.
- Diamond Safety: Most diamonds are lost weeks or months after damage occurs. A quick examination can save your jewelry.
If you notice a loose stone or any damage, stop wearing your jewelry immediately and Contact Us using the button below.
The Importance of Regular Ring Cleaning
Neglecting to clean your engagement ring can lead to several issues:
- The buildup of Dirt and Oil: Everyday wear can accumulate layers of oil, debris, and cosmetic residue on the stone’s surface, which may dull the sparkle and brilliance of the diamond.
- Bacteria Growth: A dirty ring can become a breeding ground for bacteria, potentially causing skin irritation or infection.
- Stone Damage: Gunk or dirt buildup behind the setting can loosen the stone, which might require demounting and could cause further damage.
- Metal Discoloration: Over time, exposure to harsh chemicals found in cleaning agents like chlorine, bleach, and hand sanitizers can discolor the metal setting.
Regular cleaning ensures that your engagement ring remains as stunning as the day it was first worn. You should clean your ring at least every six months to a year and remove it during activities that could expose it to harsh substances.
Jewelry Services & Repair
Enhance Your Treasured Ring: Discover Premier Servicing, Expert Repair, and Exquisite Upgrades
Frequently Asked
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Jewelers use sophisticated ultrasonic cleaners that utilize high-frequency sound waves in conjunction with specially formulated chemicals safe for jewelry. This advanced cleaning process generates microscopic bubbles that adhere to and remove dirt from the diamond’s surface. Additionally, they beautifully polish and buff the stones to enhance their natural luster and achieve maximum brilliance
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It is not recommended. Sleeping with your engagement ring on can put unnecessary pressure on your ring, which can bend prongs. Prongs that become loose are a recipe for disaster – you don't want to lose the diamond(s) in your ring. The added pressure can also bend the shank, making your ring not-so-circular.
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Washing your hands while wearing your rings can help keep them clean, but be aware that soap can leave behind a film that dulls the metal and coats the diamonds. Consider gently cleaning the ring after washing your hands to preserve the shine and prevent buildup. Note: Be cautious to ensure your ring doesn’t slip off.
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As time passes, the repeated use of cleansing agents can accumulate oils beneath and within the diamond, resulting in a loss of its clear and bright appearance. Even soaps that boast natural components can be detrimental as the days pass. To avoid any problems, it’s a good idea to take off your ring before you shower.
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Rule of Thumb: A proper fitting ring should slide over your knuckle with some friction and fit snugly on your finger, but not too tight. You should feel resistance and need to apply a little extra force to remove the ring backwards over your knuckle.
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Yes, hand sanitizer can potentially damage your diamond ring. While it won’t cause immediate harm, frequent use can dull the sparkle of your diamond and affect the metal’s finish. Be cautious with white gold, as hand sanitizers can make its finish wear faster. Over time, the chemicals in hand sanitizers can also loosen the prongs that hold the diamond, which could lead to more severe damage. To keep your ring safe, it’s best to remove it before using hand sanitizer or cleaning products.
