Engagement rings are worn daily, which means they pick up everything: hand lotion, soap, cooking oils, skin cells, and general daily grime. A ring that looked brilliant on delivery can lose a noticeable amount of sparkle within weeks — not because the diamond has changed, but because a thin film on the facets is blocking light. Regular cleaning fixes this immediately. Here's how to do it safely at home.
The Simple Method (Works for Most Rings)
You need: a small bowl, warm water, a few drops of dish soap (gentle, non-abrasive — avoid citrus-based or heavy-duty formulas), and a soft toothbrush.
Mix warm (not hot) water with a few drops of dish soap in the bowl. Place the ring in the solution and let it soak for 20–30 minutes. Use the soft toothbrush to gently scrub the underside of the stone (where buildup accumulates most), the prongs, and the band. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water — plug the drain first. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth or leave on a clean towel to air dry.
This simple method is safe for diamonds set in solid gold or platinum. It's effective, costs nothing, and should be done every two to four weeks for a ring worn daily.
How often should you clean it?
As a rule of thumb: a quick soak and brush every two to four weeks keeps a daily-worn ring sparkling, a fast rinse whenever it looks dull or filmy handles day-to-day buildup, and a professional clean and inspection every one to two years covers the rest. If you cook, garden, or use hand cream often, lean towards the more frequent end.
Cleaning by metal and setting
The simple soap-and-water method suits almost every ring, but a few settings deserve extra care. Pavé and micro-pavé rings have many small stones held by tiny beads of metal, so brush gently and skip ultrasonic cleaners at home. Rose and yellow gold clean the same way as white gold or platinum, but avoid anything abrasive that could dull the finish. Halo settings trap buildup where the small stones meet the centre, so pay particular attention to that seam with the toothbrush.
What to Avoid
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners at home unless you're confident your ring is suitable — these machines create vibrations that can loosen stones, particularly in pavé settings or rings with any existing prong wear. Avoid chlorine bleach and acetone (nail polish remover), which can damage gold alloys and certain stone surfaces. Avoid steam cleaners on rings you're not certain about.
Avoid soaking jewellery with porous stones (opals, emeralds, pearls) in soapy water — though for a standard diamond engagement ring in gold or platinum, soaking is perfectly safe.
Professional Cleaning
Every one to two years, have your ring professionally cleaned and inspected by a jeweller. They'll use a professional ultrasonic cleaner (with appropriate settings for your specific ring), re-polish any surface scratches from the metal, and — most importantly — check every prong for wear. Catching a loose prong before it loses a stone is the most important part of ring maintenance.
Questions about caring for your Una Diamond ring? Get in touch — we're happy to advise on the best care for your specific piece.
Explore Una Diamond Engagement Rings
Every Una Diamond ring is handcrafted to order in solid 18K gold or platinum, set with an IGI-certified lab-grown diamond, and delivered in around six weeks:
- The Georgina — oval-cut solitaire
- The Celina — east-west emerald cut
- The Nova — toi et moi with pear and emerald
- Solitaire rings
- Oval cut rings
- Browse all ready-to-ship rings →