At this time of year, social media is flooded with advice on how to clean your jewelry. Engagement rings and wedding bands can get dirty quickly, especially if you never take them off. Although I don’t wear my engagement ring all the time, jewelers often notice how dirty my rings are when I visit. They offer to clean them for me, a service most jewelers happily provide for free. After their magic touch, my rings look brand new, and I have learned not to take this state of things personally.

So, what should you do if you don’t visit your jeweler often? The information you find online can be really confusing. Should you use soap and water, Windex, or ultrasonic machines? And how often should you clean your rings? Is everyday cleaning safe for you and the jewelry? Our new partner, Lavish Jewelry Cleaner, offers a range of easy-to-use products. Lavish’s Jewelry Spa boxes make great gifts for yourself or someone newly engaged. Each box includes a foam dispenser for daily use, a Jewelry Bath for deep cleaning, a Click Clean Pen for quick touch-ups (we always carry one with us for photoshoots), and a polishing cloth.

As we prepare for Vegas Jewelry Week, we had a quick chat with Larry Rodgers, founder of Lavish and known in the industry as “Lavish Larry.” Stay tuned over the summer as Lavish launches a brand-new product and our Lavish series on all our social media handles. We’re currently testing all their products and having a lot of fun doing so.

Larry, your parents and grandparents were jewelers. Is that how you learned about the importance of properly cleaning jewelry?

Absolutely, growing up around my mom’s store taught me a lot and really influenced my understanding of the importance of jewelry care. I learned a lot about jewelry and gems from my mom, as she had from her dad. I really enjoyed designing and making jewelry, so I ended up opening my own store – this is where I formulated the first jewelry cleaner. My customers needed an effective solution to maintain their precious pieces – especially one that was gentle enough to use on opals and pearls. The cleaner proved incredibly effective on diamonds as well, leading to its popularity. This success inspired me to launch Lavish as a business in 2003, and we’ve been dedicated to jewelry care ever since. People often don’t realize how dirty their jewelry can get, and there was a clear need for a product that truly worked and was safe for everything.

How often do you clean your jewelry? What is your favorite Lavish product?

Jewelry should be cleaned much more frequently than most people think—ideally, every day. My go-to Lavish products are the foam and the pen, which are also our bestsellers due to their convenience and effectiveness. The foam is perfect for a quick daily clean, while the pen is great for on-the-go touch-ups. We also offer a jewelry bath for a more thorough cleaning/a good soak and a polishing cloth to restore the shine of tarnished pieces. Each product in our line serves a specific purpose to keep jewelry looking its best.

While researching this article, we found out that a lot of people do not clean their jewelry, or not often. Can you tell us why it is a problem for hygiene reasons, and for the jewelry?

It’s true; many people don’t incorporate jewelry cleaning into their routine, often because they don’t know they should or how to start. Jewelry accumulates everyday dirt, oils, lotions, perfumes, makeup, and sweat, which can dull its appearance and even harbor bacteria. Regular cleaning not only maintains its beauty but also allows you inspect prongs, clasps, and other settings to ensure they remain secure. In addition to regular cleanings, we also recommend removing jewelry before sleeping, showering, working out, and storing it properly to extend its life.

There are a lot of types of jewelry cleaners to purchase online, as well as ultrasonic cleaners. Why are Lavish products better than these options?

While ultrasonic cleaners can be effective, they can also be harmful if not used correctly, which is why we recommend leaving them to professionals. Lavish products are safe for all types of jewelry, non-toxic, biodegradable, and made in California. And while they are excellent for daily at-home use, they don’t replace professional cleanings but complement them perfectly. Our products ensure your jewelry remains clean and radiant between visits to your jeweler. This balanced approach helps keep jewelry in top condition without the risk of damage from harsher cleaning methods.

Is it possible for brides and grooms to include personalized cleaners in their guests’ gift baskets?

Personalized cleaners for guests’ gift baskets is definitely something we’re working on, so stay tuned for exciting updates! In the meantime, our Spa Box and upcoming Bridal Kit, launching in September, are perfect gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen. These gift sets add a thoughtful and practical touch to wedding celebrations, as they guarantee that their cherished pieces remain brilliant and beautiful throughout the bride and groom’s special day as well as the many years to come.

Where can people buy Lavish products?

We always encourage people to shop local and support our partner retailers: our products are available at over 2,000 retailers. Just keep in mind that we offer a private label program for jewelers, so while products might be sold under different store or brand names, you can make sure it’s genuine Lavish by looking for our logo on the back of the bottle. You can find these stores and nearby retailers on the dealer locator on our website. And for those who prefer shopping online, all our products are available directly on our website!

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