A ring made of yellow gold with a diamond of good quality mounted in it represents significant money value – if not irreplaceable sentimental significance – so accidentally mistreating it is not something any of us want to do. With good care, it can also last several lifetimes, so damaging it, even gradually, through using improper cleaning techniques or chemicals is unacceptable.
Still, jewelry does pick up grime through normal wear, especially if worn daily. Grit and goo from the atmosphere, natural oils and acids from the skin, as well as pollutants we may be coming into contact with in minute quantities every day at work, all accumulate with time.
Cleaning Yellow Gold Rings at Home
One day, you might notice that your ring seems to have lost a little of its original sparkle. The “golden” rule in this case is: use the least harsh method that can work, take your time instead of making a mistake through impatience, and ask a jeweler if in doubt.
As a first step, or even a regular maintenance cleaning to prevent a patina of grime from gradually building up, simply mix warm water with a gentle soap. Hand soap works well enough, though dishwashing liquid is a popular choice – just make sure to rinse your ring properly afterwards, as dishwashing detergents often contains salt.
To protect the stone and the setting, never use hot or boiling water, since rapid fluctuations in temperature can damage either. If you wish, you can even use carbonated water or club soda, since the bubbles will help dislodge any specks of dirt. Just let the ring soak for a few minutes. Even fine gold contains microscopic pores on its surface; allowing soapy water to seep its way into these minuscule holes will allow you to remove grime buildups using less force.
Once it has had a chance to get properly wet, simply use a toothbrush with very soft bristles to gently agitate away at any areas that don’t seem brilliant enough. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll manage to visibly scratch the surface with any kind of brush, but, thinking of the decades to come, it’s worthwhile to use no more violence than that needed to get the job done. A toothbrush head allows you reach recessed areas, like those found on a decorative band.
Finally, simply rinse, but make sure you do a thorough job of it – GD Paris. Remaining soap can harm the appearance of your jewelry just as effectively as axle grease, so make sure every residue is removed by the time you’re done.