Is Hand Sanitizer Bad for My Jewelry?
Between hand sanitizer, soap and household cleaners, your hands are taking a beating right now. To be on the safe side, we recommend making your #WFH look jewelry free, but we know you're curious about what is safe for your rings and jewelry, so here is everything you need to know...
Affects of Hand Sanitizer on Jewelry
While the rubbing alcohol in hand sanitizer won’t specifically “damage” diamonds, you may notice it loses a little of its shine. That’s because the residue from the sanitizer builds up under and around your center stone. If you have a white gold ring, you should definitely avoid hand sanitizer. White gold gets its color from a layer of rhodium. The rubbing alcohol will erode the rhodium, which will require you to have your ring “dipped” more often.
Hand Washing Affects on Your Rings
We’re all accustomed to washing our hands, maybe even more so than before, but what is all that soap doing to your ring? Much like the hand sanitizer, the residue will build up on your center stone, causing it to lose its brilliance. It can be difficult to get between prongs and under the lab-grown diamond or gemstone to thoroughly clean it. If you do wear your ring all the time, we recommend keeping a small dish next to your sink so you have a safe place to put your ring while you’re scrubbing your hands. If you want to clean your ring, do it separately from when you are cleaning your hands - otherwise neither your hands nor rings are getting a thorough clean.
Household Cleaners
If you’re like us, you’re constantly wiping down your home… even though it’s just you and your roomies right now. Cleaners are going to be the worst culprit on your fine jewelry. The harsh chemicals like bleach and chlorine can damage the metals and gemstones in your ring. It’s best to wear gloves or remove the ring completely when cleaning.
Now that you know what’s not good for your engagement ring, here are some tips for maximizing the brilliance and shine of your jewelry...
Best Solution for Weekly Cleaning
We recommend gently cleaning your ring and other fine jewelry once a week using the complimentary cleaner we provided. Simply soak your ring for 5-10 minutes and then use the soft brush to remove the loosened residue. Don’t worry about running out of the cleaner, you can order refills here. If you don't have ring cleaner, warm water and dish soap work in a pinch.
Quarterly Cleaning Recommendations
Bringing in your ring to the MiaDonna store allows us to do a complimentary deeper clean and check your center stone to make sure you don’t have any loose prongs or side stones. If you can’t make it to the store, you can order an ultrasonic cleaner to perform a deep clean, but make sure you are having the center stone inspected regularly.
Professional Deep Cleaning
Every 3-5 years, you’ll want to have a professional deep cleaning performed where your stones may be removed to clean out the hidden residue. This is highly recommended for detailed or intricate rings with a lot of places for dirt to collect. A deep cleaning also allows a jeweler the chance to thoroughly inspect your diamonds and gemstones to ensure you’ll love your ring for years to come.
