... I need to clean up my engagement ring before the wedding. The jeweler said it would take 2 days (and I asked on Monday), but last time they said 2 days, it took almost 2 weeks to get my ring back!
The way the stone is set, I could probably clean it with a q-tip or soft bristled toothbrush, but I don't know what to use (like soapy water?) that won't damage the white gold.
Someone recommended using a tiny bit of clothes detergent and warm water, and they *said* they got that information from a friend of theirs that's a jeweler... but who knows?
How can I clean my engagement ring at home?
Soak it with a little dish detergent and hot water. After it's soaked a little while use a very soft toothbrush on it to get under the prongs. Also - stop in at another jewelry store - they usually have a sonic cleaner and they can pop the ring in and get it pretty clean in about 30 seconds.
2 days?! That's so weird... don't do it. Every time I take mine to get cleaned, they clean it right there, and it takes fifteen minutes. I would never let my diamond ring out of my sight- I have heard too many horror stories about them replacing the stone.
I would take it to another jeweler who will clean it right then and there.
I would be suspicious if someone wanted to keep my ring just for a cleaning. It would make me wonder if it was being returned with the same stone.
I second the jewelry cleaner that you dip it in and brush it.
Last time I took my ring back to the (high end) jewelers where it was purchased...the used Mr. Clean! Seriously. Can't you get a tub of jewelry cleaner at WalMart?
A soft brush is not going to damage gold.
And it only takes about 5 minutes--never 2 days!
A good friend of mine is a jeweler. He said to get an empty medicine bottle, fill it with warm soapy (I use dawn liquid dish soap) water, put the ring in it, close the bottle, and just kind of easily shake it for a minute or two...maybe even let the ring sit in the water for a while. After wards, get a soft bristle toothbrush and just kind of go over it. Repeat if needed.
This process really really helps clean my ring.
Also, I WOULD NEVER drop my ring off to have it cleaned. Anything could happen to it. Many times I have literally walked in to a jewelry store and asked to have it quickly cleaned. I waited as they did it. Go in during an off-time and I'm sure they will accommodate you.
toothbrush and regular toothpaste...gently scrub, rinse (close your sink trap) and dry well...
Get some jewelry cleaner from walmart. It comes with a mini brush and you put your ring in a basket, dip it in and let sit for a little bit. Take the ring out and brush it. Then dry. I have only had my ring jeweler cleand 1x and that was when one of those mall jewelry places offered to do it. Actually-take it to one of those places and ask if you don't want to do the dip. I bet they would. It really shouldn't take 2 days even to clean a ring.
Most jewelers will clean your ring for free while you wait... takes like 5 minutes. I will just take mine in to the jewelers at the mall since the place we bought my ring from went out of business.
I FORGOT to clean mine for the wedding! LOLOL
When I saw the picture of our rings, I remembered. Shucks! LOL
2 Days??? Seriously, I'd be worried the jeweler was going to steal the diamond and replace it with a fake...just my paranoia...
Most drug stores sell a small tub of jewelery cleaner. Inside is a basket with small soft bristled brush. Cost is usually around $2.
Otherwise, I used an old, used soft bristled tooth brush with a small dab of tooth paste for gold and jewels. Looks very sparkly and shiny every time.
I think we'll be hearing back from you shortly after the wedding with more news and updates...you are clearly attached to this site of wonderful mama's.
I have the sonic (whatever) cleaner. I am a little obsessed about keeping that ring clean, ya know? Anyway the jeweler said Dawn and a toothbrush works very well. Sometimes I use Dawn and the toothbrush and then pop it into the cleaner, like I said, obsessed!
You can buy jewelry cleaner. Mine came with a little soft toothbrush type brush.
My hubby uses the below product to clean our jewelry, we purchased the solution from the dollar store.
http://www.dollardays.com/i407933-wholesale-awesome-degre...
Wholesale Awesome Degreaser Trigger
HomeCleaning Supplies Cleaning Products Bathroom Cleaners General Bathroom Cleaners
As seen on TV! Awesome brand all-purpose concentrated cleaner, degreaser, and spot remover actually puts cleaning power into plain ol' water. Cleans everything washable; spray on... wipe off! Contains no acid, no ammonia, no bleach, and is non-flammable.
Wow 2 days. I drop mine off, wait 30 min for it to get done or come back in a few hours to pick it back up. If nothing else go to the mall and ask a jewelery store to just clean it for you.
Just take it to the mall and have one of the jewelry stores clean it for you. Usually it's free. Maybe your jeweler thought you wanted it re-dipped in rhodium and polished? They usually have to send it out for that type of thing, so that's why it takes so long. If you can't get to the mall, I know a lot of people that use toothpaste to clean their rings, you could try that.
Have you tried a different jeweler? I can take my ring in and come back in an hour.....??? 2 days/2 weeks seems crazy!!
2 days!!! I am not sure what kind of cleaning you are getting done. Also I wouldn't be ok leaving my ring with them. Not a safe thing to do.
I get mine cleaned every 6 months or so at the store I purchased it - They do it while I wait and they also check if the stones are getting lose or if there is any damage etc and I get the ring back in 5 mins.
I purchased mine at Rogers and Hollands, not sure if you have this store where you live but it's generally in all the big malls here. I suggest you take the ring to any of the high end jewellery stores at the mall and tell them you need it to be cleaned. They do it right there for you.
I soak mine in the little jar of jewlery cleaner overnight. Then I use toothpaste and a soft toothbrush and scrub it and rinse it and it looks brand new. And then I get compliments on it again because its so sparkly! :o)
I would take an alka-seltzer and set my ring (as long as it's not a pearl or other softer stone) in a bowl of water with the alka-seltzer and let the bubbles clean it.
I also use Crest toothpaste (the REGULAR stuff - NOT with the whiteners, etc. M1A1 Crest) with a soft toothbrush and warm water.
Another reason to come up? My jeweler here in Reston does it while you wait...
In bed bath and beyond they sell a liquid to clean jewelry. I don't remember the name of it exactly, but it comes in a red plastic jar. It works well. and it also has a little brush.
