How to clean a diamond ring?

emmiemac

Could anyone tell me what I can use to clean a platinum diamond engagement ring?

Had it for years now and haven't attempted to clean it.

Thankyou kindly

overdrawn

have you tried soaking it in white vinegar??
i do this and then use cotton buds to clear the dirt out,
hope this helps,
louise

donnalou

A soft toothbrush and soapy water leave it soaking for 30 minutes then clean it with the toothbrush, but make sure you rinse it properly afterwards or it may leave a film over the diamond.

Doozergirl

An old toothbrush and toothpaste works brilliantly on diamond. You can get right into the setting.

Poppy9

If it hasn't been cleaned for years take it to either the jeweller you bought it from or a big multiple and they should clean it for free for you. Tell them though not to polish it as you lose weight everytime they polish.

Small jewellers offer free cleaning to keep customers, larger ones because they want your repair business. Cleaning in store is usually just a matter of popping into an ultrasonic machine which shakes the dirt out. It also shakes out lose stones which they can then charge you to reset.

However given it hasn't been done for years no harm for a one off.

For home cleaning do not use anything abrasive. Washing up liquid and warm water with a very soft toothbrush should be ok.

To get platinum looking its shiniest best jewellers often rhodium plate the ring, especially the head. Most places will charge you for this though!

Poppy9

Doozergirl wrote:

An old toothbrush and toothpaste works brilliantly on diamond. You can get right into the setting.

No not toothpaste (or dishwasher or washing powder). All will scratch the stone and given all stones have faults in them (even if you can't see them) it will cause damage. Also you will remove the polished surface from the stone which gives it it's sparkle.

Pink.

I would be inclined to take it to a jeweller to have it professionally cleaned and the setting checked if it hasn't been cleaned for years.

If you aren't keen on taking it to a jeweller, soda crystals can remove tarnish from metals. I have used it with diamond rings but please take advice before immersing precious stones or valuable items. I place tin foil in a dish, add soda crystals and pour on boiling water. Immerse the ring, leave for a few minutes, rinse, dry and polish.

I clean diamond rings in the same way as donnalou does....soaking in warm water and fairy liquid and then giving them a gentle brush with an old toothbrush once a week.....this seems to act as a preventitive measure and stops them getting really dirty or tarnished in the first place.

I hope this helps,

Pink

Poppy9

Pink-winged wrote:

....pour on boiling water.

excessive heat can milk diamonds (i.e. turn them a milk coloured white). Other precious stones are also sensitive to heat so let water cool a bit.

Pink.

Thanks Poppy, I've been doing that with a solitaire for a while, but I've been lucky and its kept it's color and clarity.........I think I'll start using warm water from now on. :beer:

Pink

stardust2000_uk

I work in an independant jewellers and this is our policy:

We advise you to book your ring in every year to get the setting of the stone checked for any wear. A free clean and polish is given at this time by the workshop which makes it look like new.

If you do not want it polished (although on a personal note its nice to have it done just before you go to a fancy event like a wedding with brilliantly sparkling jewellery) the shop should have an ultra sonic machine to shake the dirt free. There is always a chance that the stone will fall out but unless it was unsecure in the first place it will be fine, and if it does just be thankfull we know where the stone is!

Also a good jeweller should never suggest rhodium plating platinum, it is completely pointless. Rhodium is plated onto white gold to hide the yellow tint and make it look more like platinum, it will just wear off and give a poor finish compared to the platinum underneath.

The best way to look after your ring at home is to use warm soapy water (this is all that the liquid is in the ultrasonic machine!) and a soft toothbrush, the majority of the dirt in your ring is just grease off your hands so this should good enough. I would not suggest using anything abbrasive, as well as there being the possibility of scratching the surface of the stone you will scratch the platinum which doesn't show the stone off to its best. Also any stones other than dias, sapphires and rubies probably will scratch and cannot take much heat.

Its up to you but it is definatly worth taking it to a decent jewellers to ask them to check the ring just incase the setting has worn. They should not make a charge for doing this wherever you go so it is worth getting it done every year or so.

Maisie

Someone once told me to soak diamond rings in Gin! I've tried that and it does work. Makes them nice and sparkly.