A close friend (and jeweler) told me that I could soak my gold/diamond
ring DAILYin ammonia/surfactant (soap) every night to keep my ring
clean. Drop it in solution every night, no worries. She said I could
leave it in the solution for 5 years without consequence. Of course,
I have googled but have not read about long-term. Do you
have a better chemical solution that you use?
LESSON LEARNED: KEEP YOUR RINGS CLEAN AND KEEP
A WATCH ON THE PRONGS.
Toothpaste and a toothbrush works like a charm
I lost my original stone a few weeks after I started my new job. We picked out a lovely green sapphire to replace the original diamond. I love my new stone, but I do wonder whatever happened to that diamond. I have fantasies of a homeless person finding it and really benefiting from it, it makes me feel happy I lost it
I should mention that my rings are platinum. Platinum has a hardness of 4-4.5 while the grit in toothpaste is around a 3. However, gold has a hardness of 2.5-3.5, so toothpaste may well scratch gold.
The lady at Tiffany told me I could soak them in water with a squirt of gentle dish soap. (Think organic brands.) Also, she said to scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.
I do have free ring cleanings for life with my ring, but they send it and it takes a week or so to get it back. I have never done it, because the dish soap really works for me. I don’t have a loupe, but that might be a good idea. My ring is one of a kind and thoughtfully designed by my husband. I would be devastated, if I lost a stone.
My brother is a jeweler and says to use Windex or other ammonia-based cleaners on gold/diamond jewelry. (Never, ever on emeralds or opals, which are soft!) I seriously doubt he’d advocate leaving it in there indefinitely, though – and leaving it in for hours and hours isn’t going to get it cleaner and cleaner. After a certain point it’s as clean as it’s going to get. Be absolutely sure to rinse it well each time too.
It’s very important not to wear your rings while doing dishes, using any cleaning chemicals, etc. He always says don’t wear rings in bed either – decades of rings brushing at night against your sheets actually does wear on them!
And toothpaste?! He would have a heart attack. Says he’s seen what toothpaste cleaning (even “non-abrasive” toothpaste) does to rings and it’s a huge no-no. The rings appear clean, yes, but there is a lot of microscopic damage from the toothpaste and it adds up over time.
My ring is over 3ct and I brush it with toothpaste on a tooth brush. That’s what my jeweler told me. I don’t think I’d trust ammonia. And why on earth would you want it in there long term? You can also take it to a jeweler once a year to have the prongs checked. You can also insure it on your renters/homeowners insurance policy so if it’s lost, it’s replaced minus your deductible. I think maybe you should talk to another jeweler.
My diamond is over 3 carat and I wear it daily as well as my earring studs which are very nice ( about 1.5 caret each) .
About once a week or less I clean in an ammonia/water solution with a soft tooth brush.
For a quick, on the spot hurry cleaning, I use the soft tooth brush and dishwashing liquid
I never leave them in the solution a long time.
Also, on yearly appraisel.. They as well as my watch never leave my sight at my jeweler.
I do pay an extra $1000 for my jewelry rider on my homeowners insurance yearly.
I’ve never purchased a special product to check the ring. It’s covered with my appraisel and on insurance. Make sure you are adequately covered on your insurance.
I get the jewler to clean mine with steam and a polish rag. I dont think he has ever used chemicals on the stone. I was doing my hair and could hear my ring rattling around. it was only a few months old if that when it happened. idk if i knocked it or pulled the prong back but yes i could hear a tiny rattle rattle noise.