Owning a diamond ring is a timeless treasure, but keeping it sparkling requires some attention and care.
Whether you’re wearing an engagement ring, a wedding band, or any other fine piece of jewellery, dirt and grime can dull the shine over time.
If you’re wondering how to maintain the brilliance of your diamond ring, you’ve come to the right place.
Below, we’ll explore effective methods to keep your jewellery sparkling like new.
Let’s get straight to the point
To keep your diamond ring sparkling, regular cleaning and proper care are essential. Dirt, oils, and lotions can dull its shine over time, but you can restore its brilliance with simple methods.
Soak the ring in warm water with mild soap, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, and dry with a lint-free cloth.
Advanced techniques include using baking soda, ammonia, lemon essential oil, or white vinegar. Avoid harsh chemicals, limit handling, and store the ring properly.
For deeper cleaning, professional services or ultrasonic cleaners are recommended. Regular maintenance ensures your ring stays radiant and in top condition.
Will a Diamond Ever Lose Its Sparkle?
Diamonds are among the hardest natural materials on Earth, and while they don’t lose their durability, they can lose their shine if not properly cared for.
Over time, oils, lotions, and everyday dirt can cloud the surface of your diamond, diminishing its lustre.
Regular maintenance and cleaning can prevent this. Just as you clean your clothes or home regularly, your diamond deserves the same attention to keep its brilliance intact.
What Causes Cloudiness in a Diamond Ring?
If your diamond engagement ring seems to have lost its clarity, there could be several reasons:
- Dirt buildup: Everyday exposure to skin oils, lotion, and grime can coat the diamond’s surface, making it appear dull.
- Inclusions: Diamonds with internal flaws or inclusions can sometimes appear cloudy. These imperfections can be more visible when the stone is dirty.
- Fluorescence: Some diamonds have strong fluorescence, which can make them look milky or hazy in natural sunlight.
The good news? In most cases, cloudiness is simply due to a dirty ring, and a thorough clean can restore your diamond’s sparkle.
How to Keep Your Diamond Shiny
Here are a few methods to ensure your diamond ring remains as sparkling as the day you bought it.
Soak Your Diamond Ring
One of the simplest ways to keep your diamond shining is to give it a good soak.
- Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a mild dish soap.
- Let your ring soak for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the soap to break down any oils or dirt stuck to the diamond.
- Be sure to plug your drain if you’re cleaning over the sink!
Scrub Gently with a Soft Brush
After soaking, use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the diamond. Pay extra attention to the nooks and crannies where dirt can build up.
- Be careful not to scrub too harshly, as you could damage the metal setting.
- The bristles can follow the contours of the diamond, ensuring every facet shines.
Swish and Rinse in Warm Water
Once you’ve scrubbed the ring, dip it back into the cleaning solution to swish away any remaining grime. Rinse the ring under warm water, ensuring no soap or dirt remains.
Dry with a Lint-Free Cloth
Blot the ring dry using a microfiber or lint-free cloth. Avoid paper towels, as they can scratch the metal. Never let the ring air-dry, as this can leave water spots on the diamond.
At-Home Jewellery Cleaning Tips
If you’re looking for more advanced cleaning techniques, here are some popular methods using everyday household items.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a gentle yet effective way to clean your diamond jewellery.
- Create a paste using baking soda and a small amount of water.
- Apply the paste to your diamond ring using a soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Clean with Ammonia
If your diamond has not undergone clarity enhancement, you can use an ammonia solution:
- Mix one part ammonia with three parts warm water.
- Soak your ring for 5-10 minutes, then gently scrub with a toothbrush.
- Rinse and dry the ring carefully.
Lemon Essential Oil for a Natural Shine
For those who prefer a more natural solution, lemon essential oil works wonders:
- Mix a few drops of lemon oil with warm water.
- Soak your diamond ring for a few minutes.
- Gently scrub and rinse to bring back its shine.
White Vinegar Solution
For a simple yet effective clean, white vinegar is a versatile solution:
- Soak your diamond jewellery in a bowl of white vinegar for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a toothbrush to scrub the surface gently, and rinse the jewellery in warm water.
How to Care for Your Diamond Ring to Keep It Sparkling
Regular cleaning is the best way to maintain the beauty of your diamond ring. In addition to cleaning, there are other measures you can take to ensure it stays shiny:
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Never expose your diamond ring to harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach or abrasive cleaners. These can damage the metal band and even weaken the prongs holding the diamond.
Limit Physical Contact
Try to minimise handling your diamond. Natural oils from your fingers can cause it to accumulate dirt faster.
Professional Jewellery Cleaning
While at-home cleaning works well, taking your ring to a jeweller for a professional cleaning once or twice a year is a good idea. They can remove deep-set dirt and ensure your diamond is in excellent condition.
Store Your Jewellery Properly
When not wearing your jewellery, store it in a safe place, such as a soft-lined jewellery box, to prevent it from scratching against other pieces.
Specialised Cleaning Tools
If you’re committed to keeping your jewellery in pristine condition, consider investing in an ultrasonic cleaner. These devices use sound waves to loosen dirt and grime from hard-to-reach areas of the diamond, leaving it sparkling like new.
- Be cautious: while diamonds can withstand ultrasonic cleaning, other stones, like opals or emeralds, are more fragile and may not fare well.
Conclusion
Keeping your diamond ring sparkling doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With simple at-home techniques like soaking in mild soap, using ammonia or vinegar, or investing in an ultrasonic cleaner, you can maintain the brilliance of your jewellery.
Remember, proper care and regular cleaning are essential to keep your diamond engagement ring or any other fine jewellery looking its best. Avoid harsh chemicals, limit handling, and get professional check-ups annually to ensure everything remains in top shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make my diamond ring shiny again?
Lotion, makeup, and even perfume can all make your diamond engagement ring look dull. To bring your diamond back to life and make it sparkle like it’s brand new again, fill a recipient with warm to hot water, add washing-up liquid and let the diamond ring soak for 20-40 minutes.
What cleans diamond jewellery best?
The best diamond cleaning solution is ammonia or mild dish detergent with water. The ratio of this solution should be a quarter cup of ammonia to one cup of lukewarm water. After mixing the solution, let the piece of diamond jewellery soak in the solution for 20-30 minutes.
Why does my diamond ring look cloudy?
A cloudy diamond appears hazy owing to microscopic inclusions within the stone. A concentration of small inclusions clustered together sometimes causes the diamond to look foggy, lifeless and dull.
Why do diamonds lose their sparkle?
Despite its ruggedness, a diamond can lose its sparkle with oil or dust. Maintaining the sparkling of this indestructible gemstone is a tough job, but a possible one! So, how would you keep your diamond engagement ring from losing its sparkle? Diamonds are magnets to oil and grease.
Do diamonds lose their value?
Diamonds typically lose between 25 and 50 per cent of their actual worth upon resale due to market fluctuations, the markup on your ring, and the decline in diamond prices. A portion is also taken out for insurance.
