Over time, jewelry can lose its original beauty due to tarnishing, dullness, or dirt accumulation despite holding significant emotional and monetary value. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your jewelry looking its best, from everyday cleaning to deep polishing.
Why Should You Clean Your Ring
Regularly cleaning your ring is crucial to preserve and uphold the overall quality of your jewelry and extend its lifespan. Frequent cleaning and maintenance will help you detect any irregularities that require attention, as dirt and environmental debris can often conceal them. The most common causes of ring tarnish are body oils, sweat, lotions, and other external factors. Proper cleaning makes it easier to spot any necessary repairs, so it’s essential to clean your rings frequently.
How Often You Should Clean Your Ring
Experts recommend that you get your jewelry professionally cleaned and polished every six months, depending on its frequency of use and the circumstances, in order to keep it in top condition. For instance, an occasionally worn item such as a gemstone ring for special occasions will require less cleaning than an everyday item.
How To Clean Your Ring At Home
To clean and polish your ring at home, immerse it in a solution of warm water, dish soap, and aluminum foil for five minutes. Gently scrub the ring with a new toothbrush and rinse it with warm water before air-drying it on a towel. Household products like lemon juice, club soda, and Alka-Seltzer can also be used, but research their impact on precious metals first to avoid damage. Avoid using baking soda, as it can cause scratches. Different metals require different cleaning processes, and professional services are available for those without materials or expertise.
How To Store & Care For Your Rings
To properly store and prevent damage to your rings, avoid overcrowding them and keep them in a jewelry box or a soft, lined pouch. Remove them before engaging in activities that may cause damage and avoid exposure to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures. Regular professional inspections ensure that stones are secure and the settings are in good condition.
Understanding the Professional Clean, Polish, & Inspection Process
While cleaning your jewelry at home can be a convenient and cost-effective option, there are times when it may be necessary to seek out the expertise of a professional cleaner. A basic clean, polish, and inspection are part of the routine care and maintenance needed to keep your jewelry looking like new.
During the inspection process, the jeweler will examine all parts of the jewelry, including the setting, the prongs, and the metal itself. They will check for any cracks, scratches, or discoloration that may have occurred due to daily wear and tear. Furthermore, they will ensure that the gemstones are securely set and not in danger of becoming loose or falling out. In some cases, they may also use special tools to test the authenticity of the gemstones and metals.
The 3 Steps of a Professional Clean & Polish
Step 1- Buffing & Polishing: The jewelry is buffed and polished to remove any minor scratches. This step will make the surface of your jewelry smooth and shiny.
Step 2- Cleaning: To remove dirt and other substances from jewelry, it’s cleaned based on the gemstones present. An ultrasonic cleaner can be used for robust stones like diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Fragile ones like opals and pearls require special cleaning. A steam cleaning is then done to remove any leftover dirt or cleaning agents.
Step 3- Plating:White Gold jewelry is Rhodium plated and requires re-plating after cleaning for a bright finish. Similarly, gold or silver-plated items made of sterling silver or brass also need re-plating after buffing, polishing, and cleaning to restore the finish.
A Summary To Ring Cleaning & Polishing
Ultimately, the key to maintaining your jewelry’s appearance and value is to stay proactive and not wait until a problem arises. Regular maintenance from a professional jeweler can help ensure that your favorite pieces of jewelry will last a lifetime and beyond.
For a full breakdown of our professional clean & polish services, please visit Clean & Polish Services.
Updated 7/2/23
My Jewelry Repair
Premier Ring Repair Services
At My Jewelry Repair, we understand that your rings are more than just pieces of jewelry; they are cherished symbols of love and memories. When your ring needs quality care and repair, we are here to provide it. With our online mail-in service, you can have your rings serviced by master jewelers in elite environments from anywhere in the U.S. without leaving the house.
To learn more about our ring repair services and master jewelers, please visit our Ring Repair Services Page.
“I inspected it and have to say that they did a beautiful job”
“Sent my automatic watch to these folks for repair as it was no longer keeping accurate time, they assessed the watch for needed repairs and
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“Sent my automatic watch to these folks for repair as it was no longer keeping accurate time, they assessed the watch for needed repairs and sent me the estimate which I approved.
About three weeks later I received a email stating that my watch had shipped, they provide a tracking number that I might keep a track of it, upon receiving the watch I inspected it and have to say that they did a beautiful job on the exterior cleaning and polish plus they replaced the clasp, I can only assume that the work done to the movement is of equal quality and detail this will be born out over time as I see how the accuracy is.
They also provided the pressure test ticket in the return package.
I would recommend this company if you have need of jewelry repair.”
Ohio
“Had a wonderful experience with MyJewelryRepair.com”
“Had a wonderful experience with MyJewelryRepair.com. You’d think it would be tricky sending your jewelry in to be repaired without being face-to-face. But everything went
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“Had a wonderful experience with MyJewelryRepair.com. You’d think it would be tricky sending your jewelry in to be repaired without being face-to-face. But everything went so smoothly that it was astounding! Their online ordering tool makes it easy to get started. You immediately get confirmation and tracking information. The staff is quick to respond to any questions you might have. And if they have any questions, you get a call for clarification. The staff I have spoken with were super-friendly and understanding (shout-out to Iris, who is especially darling!) Then, when your receive your jewelry back in the mail and it is exactly what you wanted–AND at a reasonable price? Wow! I had a pair of modest diamond stud earrings that I never wore because I feared losing them. For years, I had wanted to have them converted into lever-back earrings, but hadn’t found the right local jeweler to do the work. My “new” earrings came back and they were gorgeous–simple and elegant, comfortable and secure. I now can wear them all the time without any worries. What I did next was to scrounge around in my jewelry collection looking for more projects (doesn’t everyone have some?) to send to MyJewelryRepair.com—because trust is an important part of the process.”
CA
“I was so nervous about sending out my wedding rings, but this company went out of the way to ensure that they were safe, they
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“I was so nervous about sending out my wedding rings, but this company went out of the way to ensure that they were safe, they contacted me when it got there, when it was inspected, which included pictures, an estimate on the repairs and the reasons they were being made, once the estimate was approved, they let me know exactly how long it would take to repair and return to me, which only a few days, and it looks amazing. I would recommend this to everyone”
NY
“The nib on my Mont Blanc was bent after I dropped it on the floor. I sent it My Jewelry Repair. Shortly after it was
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“The nib on my Mont Blanc was bent after I dropped it on the floor. I sent it My Jewelry Repair. Shortly after it was repaired and returned, it started leaking ink. I returned it was told it would cost $85 to repair. I protested, saying that it didn’t leak when it was under my control and that had it been leaking, I would have mentioned it. After looking it over, a My Jewelry Repair craftsman concurred and the pen was repaired for no extra charge. That, to me, is great customer service. I have no financial interest in MJR, do not know anyone affiliated with the company, nor have I been remunerated for this review. I just like to compliment excellent customer service when I experience it.”
“Submitted a vintage Swiss Army watch that I have worn for over 30 years. It had a lot of wear and tear over this time
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“Submitted a vintage Swiss Army watch that I have worn for over 30 years. It had a lot of wear and tear over this time and was in need of service. They replaced the crystal which was chipped and installed a new battery. When I got the watch back it didn’t even look like the one I sent to them.It was so new and fresh looking I could’t believe it, all polished up and shiny. Great service, and I would recommend them to anyone”
“I found this company online, and mailed my 1949 watch in for restoration. I thought the watch might be a total loss, with damage beyond
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“I found this company online, and mailed my 1949 watch in for restoration. I thought the watch might be a total loss, with damage beyond repair. However, the end result was a stunning, amazing work of art, true to the original watch. It’s a sentimental piece, and I am so happy.”
“Thank you for the great experience and end result!”
“The service was excellent with regular updates as to the progress of the repair. It was easy to understand and respond to the options for
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“The service was excellent with regular updates as to the progress of the repair. It was easy to understand and respond to the options for repair and the shipping process.
My watch was packaged very well for return.
Thank you for the great experience and end result!”
San Francisco, CA
“I am extremely pleased with the service provided . It was easy, fast and the job done on the replacement of the lost diamond on
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“I am extremely pleased with the service provided . It was easy, fast and the job done on the replacement of the lost diamond on my wedding ring is perfect.”
Cedar Park