How NOT to Clean Your Ring

 

 

Chapter 5: How to NOT clean your ring

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Photo by HL Gross

Let’s face it. In all the pure bliss and glory of being engaged, your ring tends to go through a lot. There’s the showing off of the ring every time someone asks, and of course that unfortunate time Aunt Mildred threw her boney, old paws all over it so she could get a closer look. There’s that time when you’re hot gluing your wedding crafts with your favorite bridesmaids and you missed the ribbon—not only burning yourself, but also getting a glob of glue all over your precious stone. Oh and don’t get me started on the brides who cook. Don’t forget to remove the ring before kneading dough or handling raw meat. Nothing ruins love quicker than a salmonella infested diamond. Needless to say, your ring can get dirty and nothing is more depressing than an engagement ring that’s shine has been dulled.

But before you start figuring out the best way to clean your sparkly, here’s a list of what NOT to do:

DO NOT stick your ring in the laundry machine

In theory, it sounds like a great way to kill two birds with one stone, but in the end you’ll just end up snagging holes in all your cute sweaters.

DO NOT wash your ring in the kitchen sink

Sure. The sink has soap and sponges at the ready so it seems like a great station for this sudsy task, but be warned. One wrong move and your ring will fall right down the rabbit hole— aka. The garbage disposal.

DO NOT try to incinerate the germs with the oven

High heat refining only works in the movies or with the professionals. DO NOT try this at home with your weakly little oven. Plus, if your fiancé lied about the quality of your ring, you may be in for a melty surprise.

 – DO NOT soak your ring in bleach

Bleach will alter any mixed metal alloy, could loosen prongs and pavé and most gemstones will tarnish or worse wither away.

 – DO NOT willy nilly hand it over to any shop who is willing to clean it for free and takes it into the back room

While it very rarely happens, some bad actors have been known to replace diamonds when cleaning with fakes or lesser ones. Make sure to do your due diligence when leaving your ring for a check up or cleaning. Go to a legitimate jewelry store. Even better, go back to the jeweler who sold you the ring, they will take good care of it. And always insure your ring as soon as your purchase it.

By Nikki Roberti

 

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