How to clean a ring?

The simplest ring looks very attractive if it is clean. But over time, any piece of jewellery loses its lustre by being exposed to external influences. To restore it, you need cleaning. But to know how to clean a ring or other piece of jewellery, you need to know what materials it was made of. "FJewellery" offers a wide range of jewellery in different materials. Each one has its own specific characteristics.

Special features for cleaning gold objects

Gold rings are probably the most common type of jewellery. They look beautiful and presentable. Even if you think to keep clean them, over time they will fade and lose their appearance. In some cases, cleaning with household items will help to cope with the problem. It's easy and you can do it yourself. But to avoid damaging your jewellery, you need to know the type of gold and its grade.

As you know, jewellery gold is a mixture of metals. Their percentage varies depending on the sample. For example, 9ct gold has a high content of third-party metals (the gold content in this composition accounts is only 37.5%), 14k gold contains 58.5% of gold and 18k - 75% of gold. Metal impurities oxidise over time, change colour and the jewellery loses its attractiveness. “How to make my tarnished old ring shine again?” - is a very common question.

Jewellery gold contains copper, silver and other elements. There are therefore several types of gold (depending on the percentage of the metals). Caring for each of them has its own nuances:

1. Yellow gold. Traditional composition. The main additives are copper and silver. Moreover, the percentage of silver should be higher. This gives the alloy an exquisite sunny colour. To clean yellow gold objects inside or outside, use:

• Dishwashing liquid. Take it and mix it with water. Dip the jewellery in the prepared solution. You can heat or even boil water with a ring for greater effect. It should then be rinsed with water and dried gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Vinegar. Soak the jewellery for 10 minutes in 9% vinegar, then rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
• Ammonia solution at the rate of one teaspoon of ammonia per glass of water. You can also add dishwashing liquid to the solution. Immerse the ring in the liquid for a while, then rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
• Toothpaste (with baking soda and fluoride). Apply the toothpaste to a jewellery soft toothbrush or cloth and gently remove impurities. Note: the toothpaste must be white, without whitening components.
• Soda. Dissolve two tablespoons of baking soda in a glass of hot water. Cover the bottom of a container with foil, place the gold ring and pour out the solution. You can leave it overnight. Then rinse with clean water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Attention. Do not use chlorine or acetone or abrasive materials for cleaning purposes.

2. Rose gold. An exceptionally beautiful alloy that is now becoming increasingly popular in jewellery. The delicate pink colour is obtained by adding copper and silver to gold (the percentage of copper is higher than that of silver, and the more copper, the redder the hue). It is best to clean rose gold jewellery in warm soapy water. Do not boil the rose gold jewellery.

3. White gold. It is a mixture of pure gold and silver, to which nickel and palladium have been added. Nickel gives the precious metal its characteristic tint. White gold rings are cleaned in the same way as yellow ones, subject to certain peculiarities:

• It is not recommended to wash white gold frequently. If you must do so, do not keep the ring under water for too long.
• You should be especially careful with rhodium-plated white gold. This coating is prone to abrasion. Therefore, do not use abrasive powders or brushes to care for the products. If they become dirty, it is best to use soapy water or ammonia solution and a soft cloth.
• Do not use vinegar or baking soda to clean a white gold ring.

An engagement ring or other smooth gold jewellery that is not fitted with stones and decorations is the easiest to clean. Rings with gemstones are much harder to clean as many of them are very sensitive to external influences. Moreover, each gemstone requires special treatment:

• Turquoise, for example, has a poor tolerance for moisture. It should not be soaked, especially in soapy water or vinegar. A ring with this stone is best cleaned with professional products.
• Swarovski crystals must also not be wetted, otherwise, they will darken. They should be wiped down with the cloth with which the crystal is cleaned.
• Opal and pearl are also afraid of water. It is best to wipe them with a dry cloth. If necessary, wash quickly with warm soapy water, rinse and dry.
• The ring with diamonds can be cleaned with a brush and water and dishwashing liquid. Cubic zirconia, topaz, beryl, ruby, emerald, garnet, sapphire and other hard minerals can be cleaned in the same way. It is best if the water is distilled or spring water. Do not use chlorinated water. You can get rid of the chlorine by boiling water for 15 minutes. Use a mild ammonia solution to add a slight shine to the stone.
• Amethyst, aquamarine can be cleaned in warm soapy water. Avoid contact with ammonia, which is often used to clean a gold ring. If the gem is glued to the product, do not immerse it in water.

How to clean platinum or silver rings

The ring has gone black? Don’t panic! Silver oxidises when exposed to oxygen. It loses its former colour. A dark coating (patina) forms on it. If your silver jewellery turning black, don’t rush to throw it away. The situation can be corrected even at home:

• You can use toothpaste (but very carefully).
• Use a solution of ammonia (2 tablespoons per litre of water, for 15 minutes).
• Either 6% vinegar or a 10% citric acid solution (wipe the item with a cloth soaked in the solution).

Salt and baking soda are effective cleaners for sterling silver. This method will help you:

• Place a piece of foil (shiny side up) on the bottom of an aluminium pan.
• Pour 0.5 litres of water and dissolve 2 tablespoons of soda and salt in it. You can also add liquid detergent.
• Soak the jewellery in this solution for 15 minutes to return the jewellery to its original appearance.

Platinum is particularly strong and resistant to oxidation. The same cleaning methods are suitable for it as for gold. The best way to clean platinum jewellery without precious stones, such as a massive signet or eternity ring, is to boil it over low heat in water and detergent. A solution of sugar and water can also help restore the lustre of platinum.

If a cloudy ring cannot be restored to its original lustre using simple methods, it is better to seek help from a jeweller. No matter how much does it cost to clean, it will cost many times less than buying new jewellery. If you have a vintage ring, it is best to have it cleaned by a master. As a rule, such things require special care. You can also ask your jeweller for advice on the following points:

• how often to take care of rings in your jewellery,
• how to clean your home right and safely,
• how often should clean your ring,
• how to polish a ring, etc.

Those who decided to buy a new piece of jewellery are invited to visit the "FJewellery" online shop. The assortment includes a huge selection of wedding rings - without stones and exquisite solitaire, as well as jewellery for all occasions. You can buy them as a gift or for your own pleasure. All of the jewellery in this catalog are exquisite and of impeccable quality. You can view pictures, compare the rings you like and choose the perfect piece for you.