How to clean an engagement ring

This Instructable will show you how to clean an engagement ring, but these techniques can be used for other types of jewelry as well. This guide uses household items and safe non abbrasive techniques as to cause no harm to jewelry being cleaned. However, please use common sense and be careful while cleaning your jewelry.

Step 1 Dirty ring to be cleaned

This is my wife's engagement ring. It has not been cleaned in several years, and I would say this is moderate to very dirty.

Comments

[admin]

This is a great Instructable, but you need to add a main image of the final project to the intro step. Please do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks!

[admin]

This is a great Instructable, but you need to add a main image of the final project to the intro step. Please do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks!

[cathymeyer52]

i have been useing total moth wash from listern just put a capfull in shot glass and fill with water and let soak . then rinse gold and dimond rinds and dry soft cloth . work as nurse aid in anti bacteria soaps all day get a film on my rings.

[jjewels119]

How about an instructable on how to GET an engagement ring? lol.

[ganncamp]

PLEEEEASE don't try this with pearls. Also probably not advised with softer stones like opals.

[kaylower]

I'm a jewelry freak and the absolute best, fastest and easiest way to clean jewelry is in the dishwasher. think about it: super-hot water, plenty of rinsing, a great strong soap = presto!! beautifully cleaned jewelry. Be smart and put it down inside the silverware thingys. no brushing necessary, no matter how nasty dirty or greasy your jewels may be. I put everything in there. rings bracelets necklaces and earrings. just make sure nothing is smaller in size than the little holes in the silverware thingys, DUH!!

[peachblossom]

Eek .. whilst you explained that a very soft toothbrush and careful approach is needed people often damage their rings like this. It only take for one bristle to get caught and for you to only notice it after scrubbing for a second to lever up a claw or even snap one or more as the stone moves, which will cost much more for repairs than just going to a local jeweller and have them use a sonic cleaner and good old steam (I only need to use steam when I clean mine). Some places will clean your ring for life once you've bought it there.

I'm not trying to slate your method, it just requires absolute maximum care and minimum force, which I'd hope that the people reading on here will take. I just wanted to give an extra warning.

[becktaro]

alternately, you could take your ring to your jeweler where they will most likely clean it professionally for free, as well as check the setting, etc. Actually, I have to take my ring in every 6 months and have this service done to fulfill the requirements to keep my warranty active. (though even if it weren't required, i'd do this anyways, since my ring was such an investment, and means the world to me, i'd want to make sure it stayed in good shape)

[MEMJIM]

use a toothbrush and plain toothpaste, then rinse with clear water & Dry it well.

[melt metal]

I've never tried this method to clean diamond jewelry but it sounds like it worked great on the engagement ring being moderate to very dirty. I will try it out. I repair and restore gold jewelry by trade I am asked often how to clean jewelry at home. For lightly to moderately dirty, the simple answer for most rings is a few drops of dishsoap (for handwashing) and water in a small container with a lid. Let soak a few minutes and then gently shake. Finish cleaning with a soft toothbrush. Remember no hot water on colored stones and no soap for opals, emeralds(they are oiled for color sometimes), pearls or other glued on stones. If you are lucky enough to be near a jeweler they will clean and check settings for wear and it's almost always free.

[Wayne55]

I am a jeweller and silversmith living in England.  
I do it an even easier way just get yourself a bottle of Lemonade or ( in the U.S.A -  soda), or tonic mixer and place the ring in the bottom of a glass then pour in until the 'fluid' is an inch past the  jewellery then give it a little swirl aroun and leave for a couple of hours .

the carbon dioxide released in the fluid acts as a 'soft' acidic cleaning agent withouth damaging your ring.

Warning : do not use this method for porous stones such as tourquoise or pearl - it will dissolve and damage them.

[grahambob68]

is jade porous?

[Wayne55]

what people know as Jade is usualy one of 2 different stones  Nephrite or Jadeite - although there are 10 other stones I know of sold as Jade that are claseed as 'Faux Jade' or false Jade ( including dyed marble).

but to answer your question yes 'Jade ' is porous - it is not uncommon to find that lower grade Jade has been bleached then sealed with lacquer or polyuerethane to give it the appearnace of older better grade JAde.

[Z..]

ALL my jewellery is washed (not paste jewellery!), before it is put away.

I simply use liquid soap for it all. Hold SECURELY in your hands and gently soap once under a warm running tap (faucet),-this gets any body oil off. Then do it again-you'll find it will lather better this time. Rinse thoroughly-just holding it, and dry with paper towel.

I then leave overnight on a piece of paper towel to make sure it is dry.

All jewellery stays gleaming this way,-I even wash my spectacle glasses this way too.

I can understand your method for a heavily soiled piece of jewellery, but don't let it get like that! Gleaming jewellery looks a million bucks,-even if it cost far less!!

[hammer9876]

Please note that this cleaning method would be terrible for pearls or opals which are considered very soft compared to diamonds.