An engagement ring is a wonderful piece of gem that symbolizes lifelong passion and commitment. With the heart of it being that gleaming diamond(s) at the center, it’s not exactly hard to see how it sparkles as do the stars on a dark night sky. However, even the most precious rock in the world needs proper care and preservation to hold on to its remarkable flash. The same way is true with engagement rings.

Regardless of quality, carat or cut, dirt, oil and debris can still wear out the defining beauty of a diamond. One of the most common mistakes that people tend to make is on how they handle the cleaning of the stones. It is recommended to use specialized jewelry cleaners and detergents to remove any sort of buildup or deposits. The use of soap is a big NO. Even when carefully washed, it leaves residue on the jewel’s surface, thus causing problems with the refraction of light in the gem, dulling its natural sparkle. Remember: just the shortest exposure to soap can make your shimmering rock looks like a cheap rip-off. Surely, you don’t want that to happen.

One of the keys to cleaning diamond engagement rings knows whether or not it requires professional attention. This takes into account a lot of details. For example, the setting and its complexity should be considered – the more complicated it is, the more likely it’ll need a jeweler’s touch. Any accompanying stones that serve as accent to the diamond can make it difficult without professional tools. A ring that’s an antique or a family heirloom deserves a professional’s touch, as much for the sentimental value as the inherent monetary value of such a ring. A complex setting also means that there are more crevices and corners for dirt and debris to cling to that can’t be cleaned properly without the proper tools.

It also pays to set up a proper cleaning space that does not involve a sink or drain – best to avoid the cliché of losing a valuable engagement ring down the kitchen sink. Towels can be useful for keeping the cleaning chemicals from affecting the surfaces or protect the ring from loss. Adequate lighting is also a must, to see what areas need more attention and to judge whether or not the cleaning has been successful. It’d be hard to see the sparkle in a poorly-lit room.

Tight spaces in the prong or setting tend to get more than a few hairs or fibers stuck, be sure to remove them, too. To get the really tiny ones, tweezers can be helpful. Similarly, don’t forget to pre-soak the ring to get rid of any loose dirt. Again, to avoid ring loss, stray far from any drains. There are professional cleaning solutions available out there, but if you want to make your own, keep in mind that a common formula is made of three parts water with diluted ammonia. Just in case you run out of ammonia, it doesn’t make much of a difference to just use clean-rinsing detergent as an alternative.

Check for loose hairs that are stuck in the prongs. There may be some fibers stuck in those crevices. You can use tweezers to get them out. You also need to soak the ring beforehand to get rid of loose dirt. Check that you are far away from any sink or drain so that you won’t end up losing the ring. One useful cleaning solution made especially for jewelry is to mix three parts of water with diluted ammonia; clean-rinsing detergent can also be used as an alternative to the ammonia. You can also opt to use professional cleaning solutions. You only have to dip the ring, but soaking is applicable as well.

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