Professional Ring Cleaning vs. DIY: What’s Best for Your Engagement Ring?

Your engagement ring is not merely an accessory; it symbolizes the beautiful relationship you share with your partner.

If properly taken care of, engagement rings can last a lifetime.

Otherwise, everyday dirt can build up between the gemstones on the ring, causing damage over time.

So, to carry out this extremely important task–cleaning a ring–you have two options: DIY ring cleaning or a professional ring cleaning service.

Both have advantages and disadvantages, which we’ll explore today.

Read them carefully because, without the right instructions, you may damage your engagement ring.

The Advantages of Professional Cleaners

• Receive Expert Care: A prominent advantage of hiring professionals is that they have the expertise and tools to thoroughly clean your ring without damaging it. Depending on the type of gemstone, metal, and setting, the experts do the job while ensuring your ring remains intact.

• Identify Underlying Issues: Before cleaning the ring, the experts meticulously inspect it. Doing so addresses issues you didn’t know existed, such as loose prongs or chipped stones. Once you are made aware of these damages, you can take swift action to repair them. This helps prevent potential loss in the future.

• Clean Hard-To-Reach Places: As mentioned before, the experts use cutting-edge tools to clean rings. This allows them to easily reach areas you might not be able to. In addition to the tools, the professionals utilize advanced techniques, such as steam cleaning, to restore your ring to its original or near-original condition.

The Drawbacks of Hiring Professional Cleaners

• High Cost: Hiring professionals to clean it can be costly, depending on the ring type. On average, you can expect to pay between $20 and $50 for a single cleaning session. The materials and gemstones used in the ring are two significant factors that can influence the overall cost.

• Damage Risk: While the professionals are highly cautious, they may not pay as much attention to its safety as you do. There’s always a slight risk of the ring being damaged, especially if it’s delicate or antique. In addition, the experts may also use certain chemicals that might corrode metal bands.

• Time Inconvenience: You’ll need to take time out of your schedule to visit a jeweler. You may also have to leave the ring with the store for a few days, which can be quite inconvenient if you were planning on wearing it for an upcoming event.

The Advantages of DIY Cleaning

• Cost-Effective Option: You can clean your ring with simple household items, such as soap, water, and a toothbrush. Compared with the other alternative–paying a hefty amount to a jeweler–you’ll find it cost-effective.

• Convenience: Does the thought of leaving your engagement ring with a jeweler, even for a few days, worry you? It won’t come to that should you choose to clean the ring at your home. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about finding time to visit the jeweler.

• Personal Care: Despite how professional a jeweler is, there’s the risk of damaging your ring. But when you clean it yourself, you can take the necessary precautions to protect it.

The Disadvantages of DIY Cleaning

• Risk of Damage: You can watch as many videos on the internet as you want, but it doesn’t change the fact that you, compared to a professional jeweler, don’t possess the necessary knowledge. And your lack of knowledge could damage the ring.

• Limited Results: Cleaning a solitaire ring differs from cleaning a pavé ring. You may overlook the dirt under the diamonds if you don’t follow proper instructions. Consequently, the ring’s sparkle won’t be restored to its original brilliance.

• Time-Consuming: Cleaning a ring isn’t the easiest of tasks, even more so if you’ve got to clean multiple. From gathering the right materials to reaching every small corner, it’ll take significant time.

Which Is Best? Professional Cleaning or DIY Cleaning

The choice between professional cleaning and DIY cleaning depends on your circumstances. However, for optimal engagement ring care, we suggest adapting both techniques.

For instance, DIY cleaning can help rid the ring of everyday accumulated dirt. On the other hand, professional cleaning is ideal for increasing the ring’s lifespan and improving its overall health.

Caring for Your Engagement Ring: Tried-And-Tested Tips

It’s highly unlikely that you’ll never have to clean your engagement ring. However, following these instructions will help minimize the need for frequent cleaning, whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional:

• Hold the ring by the band, and don’t touch the stones. The oil in your finger can transfer to the stones, which may dull their sparkle.
• While getting ready, wear the ring at the last to prevent exposing it to perfumes or lotions. When undressing, always remove the ring first.
• When the ring is not in use, place it in a box made specifically for storing rings to prevent scratches.
• Keep the ring separate from other accessories.
• Remove the ring before engaging in chores like cleaning dishes or gardening.
• Inspect your ring frequently to check for loose stones or prongs. If you notice any issues, take it to a jeweler immediately.

How to Clean Your Engagement Ring

As we’ve mentioned, you’ll have to find a balance between getting your ring cleaned and doing it yourself. So, for the latter technique, we’re sharing jewelry cleaning  methods that can help you do the job effectively:

Materials Needed: Dish soap, warm water, a small bowl, a soft toothbrush (better if used), and a soft cloth.

• Step 1 – Fill the small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Mix the solution until it becomes soapy.
• Step 2 – Place your ring in the solution for 20-30 minutes. This will loosen the accumulated dirt and grime.
• Step 3 – After soaking the ring, use the toothbrush to scrub it. Carefully clean the stones so as not to scratch them, making sure to get to hard-to-reach places.
• Step 4 – Rinse the ring under warm water to remove any soap residue.
• Step 5 – Use a soft cloth to pat the ring dry. Do not use a towel or tissue, as they can scratch the metal.

Restore Your Ring’s Original Sparkle and Shine

Your engagement ring is special and deserves to be treated as such. You must do everything you can to retain its charm, including cleaning it.

How you do that is entirely up to you, as we’ve mentioned the pros and cons of both techniques. Apart from the cleaning process itself, follow the detailed tips so the need to clean it frequently doesn’t arise.

Since we’re on the topic, if you’re looking for stunning engagement rings, browse Fine Jewelry and Gemstones’ exquisite collection. Each piece is as stunning as it is durable, and you’ll be in awe of the craftsmanship.

Charles Kevin

Charles Kevin doesn't just write about diamonds and gemstones; he brings their stories to life. His passion for storytelling and the fascinating world of gemstones has shaped his career as a writer. But it's not just about the sparkle and glamour; it's about his ability to translate complex gemological knowledge into concise, accessible writings that bring him joy.