How to Clean Rings
Can’t imagine life without your favorite rings? Us too. Keep the shine alive with a few of our go-to and super simple ring cleaning tips. Read more to better understand how to clean rings depending on the types of metals, how to clean gemstone and cocktail rings, how to clean different styles of rings, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
How to clean rings according to the metals
It’s super important to know the metal of your ring in order to avoid damaging it during the cleaning process. This can be done by simply looking at your ring to observe the type of metal, looking up the product information, or reading the info on the packaging (if it came with any). Still not sure? Professional jewelers can always help determine a piece’s specific details.
How to clean rings made of gold
In general, gold jewelry contains a percentage of gold mixed with other metals. Gold in its pure form is super soft so it’s rare to find 100% pure gold on the market. Check your ring for its karat type. 10k generally indicates a piece of gold jewelry has a low percentage of gold. 22k is the highest percentage of gold available, AKA the purest.
For 10k and 14k gold, you can use warm soapy water and a jewelry brush. For 18k and 22k which scratches more easily, use warm soapy water and a lint-free cloth to clean it. Remember that we are talking about simple gold bands. For gemstones gold rings you shouldn’t use water, only to dip the cloth/ brush in it. Don’t forget to rinse and dry your gold ring. Every two months you should polish it to maintain its brilliance.
We have a variety of gold and gold plated jewelry perfect for adding that extra glow to any look. Our 10k solid gold pieces are made to be worn anywhere, anytime (like in the shower, at the gym, date night–you name it). Unlike our 14k gold plated jewelry, our 10k solid gold pieces can get wet. Though our 10k solid gold pieces are no less durable than the 14k, we still recommend removing chains before sleeping to avoid tangling or damage.
How to clean gold plated rings
Gold plated rings are made with a layer of gold over an alloy of different metals. This is why gold plated rings can be more fragile than solid gold ones. Just dip a microfiber cloth in warm water and rub them gently. Dry them with another lint-free cloth. Don’t use a polishing cloth on your gold plated rings as you can scratch off the thin layer of gold. Cleaning gold plated rings is super simple. Gently rub your gold plated jewelry with a soft jewelry cloth to restore its shine. After every use, clean your jewelry with a cotton ball or a very soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt. Plated pieces can be prone to oxidation (AKA rusting), so it’s important to remove your jewelry before you swim, shower, or apply lotion, makeup, or perfume. If you want to get that extra mile, store your piece in our Ana Luisa pouch or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box.
How to clean silver rings
Silver is a little bit more resistant to scratches than gold but still requires care and a delicate touch when being cleaned. Use a soft cloth, warm soapy water, and a jewelry brush to clean your silver rings. Every two months, use a silver polishing cloth to remove the tarnish. If it has a thick layer of tarnish, take it to the jewelry shop for professional cleaning. We recommend avoiding exposing your sterling silver pieces to chlorinated water and to cleaning products that contain bleach. Our Ana Luisa pouch is a great way to store your rings without scratching them or rubbing them together.
How to clean rings of other materials
Remember that platinum rings can scratch easily, so just rub them gently with a damp lint-free cloth. Stainless steel and titanium rings are very resistant and you can soak them in soapy water to clean them afterward with a jewelry brush. With copper rings, you need to use a polishing cloth to remove the tarnish, while with brass rings you need to be very careful and use a soft microfiber damp cloth.
How to clean rings according to the gemstones
Besides the at-home cleaning methods, you also get mechanical cleaning methods like ultrasonics, boiling and steaming. You need to know which cleaning methods are safe for your gemstone ring so, in a nutshell, here is what you need to know.
Cleaning with a brush & warm soapy water is okay for amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian, citrine, diamond, emerald, garnet jade, peridot, ruby, sapphire, topaz, tourmaline, and zircon.
Cleaning with only a moist cloth is okay for any of the above gemstones, plus amber, lapis lazuli, pearls, opals, turquoise, and moonstone.
Ultrasonic mechanical cleaning can only be used with amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian, citrine, diamond, ruby, sapphire, garnet and jade.
Steaming or boiling mechanical cleaning is okay for diamonds, jade, ruby, and sapphire
How to clean rings according to their styles
As you know rings have various styles and settings and some of them require extra care. So, without further ado, here are ring settings & styles that require extra care. For each of them, you need to use a soft jewelry brush and try to get out the dirt that usually piles up in the setting. You need to be very careful about it, though, so that you don’t remove the stones:
Rings with a prong setting
Cathedral setting
Channel setting, but be very careful about it and try not to scratch the stones
Bar setting styles
Pave setting rings
Halo rings
Cluster rings
For other settings, such as the bezel or other ring styles, like the cocktail ring, it will be easier to clean them. However, you still need to be careful about it not to scratch the stones.
Discover our collections of rings
Our collection of rings is super versatile and includes all types of metals, styles, and textures. Check out our gold and gold plated rings, silver and silver-plated rings, gemstone rings and so much more to find the perfect additions to your jewelry collection.
Elevate your style to new heights with Ana Luisa's exquisite rings - because nothing says 'I'm worth it' like a statement piece on your finger!
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