Guys spend many hours and thousands of dollars to find the most sparkling engagement rings, but it only takes one hand lotion session to smear away the sparkle. So how do you keep that ring sparkly?
Buying expensive “miracle” cleaning solutions and electronic equipment like ultrasonic cleaners is not necessary. There is a very cheap and easy trick to clean your engagement ring and keep it sparkling like new, and you can do it at home.
All you need is an ammonia based cleaner such as Windex, and an old toothbrush. Spray the cleaner on the engagement ring and scrub with the toothbrush. Repeat this 2-3 times until the ring looks clean and the diamond sparkles. Rinse the ring in warm water and wipe it with a lint free cloth (like a microfiber cloth to clean glasses). WARNING: If you rinse the ring in the sink make sure the drain cover is on or you may end up filing an insurance claim.
While cleaning the ring make sure to get the bristles into all the nooks and crannies to remove the hard to reach gunk. Fatty residue such as moisturizers and sun block lotions can be especially stubborn. They stick to the diamond and block out significant amounts of light from entering the stone. Over time the layers of lotion accumulate and make the diamond opaque.
Be careful using ultrasonic cleaners because the vibrations can loosen the diamond in the prongs. We recommend having the engagement ring professionally cleaned once a year. The jeweler will inspect the prongs to ensure the diamond is still secure, and they will also use high powered steam to remove any built up residue on the diamond.