How To Clean Your Rings

How to clean your rings

Biagio and his team give you an insider’s guide on how to clean your rings and keep them in tip-top condition.

What you need:

– Washing-up liquid

– Soft bristle brush, baby toothbrush or artist’s paintbrush with soft hair such as sable or equivalent

– Lint-free jewellery polishing cloth, found in jewellery, hardware or department stores

Where to clean?

Amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, garnet, morganite, peridot, ruby, sapphire and tanzanite rings

Hold your chosen ring under a good light and have a close look at it. You’ll see where the effects of repeated use of soap and hand creams has created a ‘build-up’ which dulls the luminosity and refraction of light in the gemstone and diamond. The precious metals of yellow gold, white gold and rose gold also lose their vibrancy. On examining the ring, look at how the stone or stones are set into the ring. Check that the claws are secure and have not moved or diminished and that the stones are not chipped or loose. If at this point you notice something not quite right with the stones, please take the ring to a trusted jeweller to look at. Avoid cleaning it as you may cause further damage.

How to clean?

If all looks OK, you are ready to start to clean. From a closer look at the ring you’ll now be able to see which areas need the focus. Fill a bowl with warm water and add washing-up liquid to make a soapy wash. A soft brush is important so you do not scratch the metal. Moisten the brush in the soapy water and start to gently clean around the stones with a circular motion. Remember to do the underside of the stones as this is the prime spot for soap residue to collect. Continue dipping into the water and rinsing as you go until you have removed the dirt. When the ring is free from dirt, dry with a lint-free jewellery polishing cloth for precious metals or silver. For a professional jewellery cleaner, we use Connoisseurs; their range includes products for numerous gemstones as well as pearls, each accompanied by a jewellery cleaning brush. For instant sparkle on the go, the ‘Dazzle Stick’ is great to keep in your bag.

For a deeper clean

If you find that after the first clean, some stubborn deposits remain, leave the ring in a soapy solution for a couple of hours. This should help dislodge the residue, which will remain in the bowl or be easier to remove on a second clean with the brush.

Not only will you be amazed at the difference such a clean makes to your diamonds and gemstones, your ring will also have benefitted from your close attention to its setting – a worthwhile investment in case something is amiss.

Let us know how you get on! You can even share your sparkling results with a photo!

Emerald rings

Emeralds are a softer stone and by nature have more inclusions which means they need specialist care. We would suggest taking your emerald jewellery to a good jeweller for tailored advice on cleaning and care.

Pearl rings

Pearls are best cared for each time you wear them. After wearing your pearls, wipe them with a damp, soft cloth which will clean any residue off and replace any moisture. Store your pearls separately in a soft bag or box to protect their soft surface.

Antique and vintage rings

If you have gold antique or vintage rings set with stones we would always recommend seeking advice from a trusted jeweller. You can visit us in store at Bicester or Thame where our specialists in antique jewellery can assess the ring, or other piece of jewellery, for you. Do not clean it first: we’ll examine it with a loupe giving strong magnification, and be able to share with you some of the interesting facts about the the setting and style of the era in which it was made, the cuts of the stones and how best to maintain the piece in tip-top condition.