Your eyes lit up when he placed that shiny piece of eye candy on your ring finger. Since that day, your engagement ring has become a part of your identity; a symbol of your deep love for another human being. You have grown attached to this precious piece of jewelry and you don’t anticipate removing it from your finger anytime soon. That is, until the time comes when you have to clean it.
Like it or not, the grit and grime of daily living will find its way inside the grooves of your beloved ring. What’s the safest way to keep it looking shiny and new?
The Internet is filled with recipes for homemade jewelry cleaners, but not all of these recipes are worthy of your time. In fact, some can be downright harmful. One popular recipe, for instance, includes baking soda and witch hazel, which can be problematic. Witch hazel is acidic and won’t agree with soft or porous stones or plated jewelry, and baking soda can be abrasive, scratching softer stones and metals.
What is the best way to clean your ring, you ask? The insurance experts at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group simply recommend water and dish soap – namely Dawn dish soap. Why should you trust their advice? Jewelers Mutual® is the only insurer in North America solely dedicated exclusively to jewelry insurance for over 100 years. The company employs GIA graduate gemologists and AGS certified gemologists who are truly experts in their field.
Without further ado, here is a step by step tutorial on how to clean your rings:
Place a few drops of Dawn dish soap into a small dish of warm water. Let the ring sit in the solution for a few minutes, longer if it’s very dirty.
Next, gently scrub with a new soft toothbrush. Old toothbrushes will have toothpaste residue, which could scratch the jewelry.
To rinse, place the item in a new container of lukewarm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot or too cold, as some gemstones do not take well to drastic changes in temperature.
You can dry the piece off with a paper towel or a regular cloth, as long as you’re careful not to snag the prongs on the fibers.
Voila!
Aside from babying that gorgeous new ring, you’ll also want to consider insuring it. Jewelers Mutual‘s policy is as comprehensive of insurance you could ask for, all at a reasonable cost. As part of their policy, they offer worldwide travel coverage; flexibility to work with your own jeweler; replacement with same kind and quality; optional $0 deductible; and coverage for loss, theft, damage and mysterious disappearance. Want to learn more about protecting your precious ring? Visit Jewelers Mutual, where can get your quote instantly by answering three questions. Protecting that beautiful ring is easier than you think.
This post is sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group. All opinions expressed within this feature are those of the author.
