QuestionQUESTION: I was told by my husband that the cleaner you get when you purchase a ring is just watered down Windex. So when all of my cleaner was gone he said to put Windex in a container and water it down. Is this okay for a white gold diamond ring? He also said to let it soak all night. Will letting it soak that long harm my ring? What are some of the best ways to clean a white gold diamond ring that won't harm it?
ANSWER: Hi Desirae!
It is true that some jewelers hand out a cleaner that is ammonia-based and in that case it would be similar to many commercial window cleaners. Likely such a cleaner (or watered-down window cleaner) will not hurt your ring but I don't like the idea of soaking it in the solution overnight. Let's err on the side of caution and use something a little milder like dish washing soap or simple green. Both of these solutions are low-cost and highly unlikely to damage your diamond and white-gold ring, and they are also safe for most gemstones.
Never, ever use toothpaste to clean your ring as it is abrasive. But feel free to squirt your mild soap of choice onto a toothbrush and give your ring a little brushing to clean between prongs or between stones if it is channel-set. Try different angles to get to all of the crevices where dirt hides. Soaking your ring overnight might soften the dirt that lives in these little places, but it will not remove it. After brushing be sure to rinse it well as this will whisk away the bits of dirt that you dislodged.
Thanks so much for the question, and best of luck!
David Fortier
Staff Gemologist
Tiptopgem.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: So if i use something mild like the dish soap or simple green, is it still a bad idea to soak it all night? I know that wearing diamond rings while you sleep isn't a good idea so would it be a better idea to clean it before i go to bed then store the ring in it's box?
AnswerHi again Desirae!
I can't think of any good reason to soak it overnight. If you want to do so I think you are safe with simple green or dish soap. These are highly unlikely to damage either white gold or diamond. Some gemstones are more finicky though so I wouldn't do that with colored stones. Your ring should be safe either way.
Thank you!
David Fortier, GG
Staff Gemologist
Tiptopgem.com
