The Three Ways NOT to Clean your Rings!!

I have had clients tell me horrifying stories about how they clean their rings! Like the client (let's call her Mary) who would take off her ring in a public restroom, put it on the sink as she washed her hands! It would be so easy for her to forget the ring, have it stolen or even any kind of disturbance~ a phone ringing, an earthquake, anything out of the ordinary and she could forget that ring on the sink. I advise NEVER, EVER take your ring off during the day unless you are at home. The second misconception is that it is okay to get your ring cleaned every week in an ultrasonic at a mall jewelers. NO, please don't do that. An ultrasonic gently shakes the ring and if you have small diamonds in the settings or micro pave, getting the ring cleaned in this fashion can shake loose the smaller stones to where they are ready to fall out. The third way I have heard about is cleaning the ring over an open drain. Nooooooo, please plug the drain before cleaning your ring! Even if you think there is no way the ring could fall into the pipe, sometimes a perfect storm scenario can happen where the ring is just at the right angle where it can fall in or jump from soapy hands. Diamonds get dull from soap, hand lotion, makeup in no-time flat. Here is my special tip for getting a ring sparkling clean: plug the drain, get an old toothbrush wet and put soap, toothpaste, pump soap-whatever your pleasure-on the wet toothbrush. Clean the outside of the ring thoroughly, including any small stones in the setting. Turn the ring upside, holding the shank and clean the diamonds with the culet (the pointed lower part of the diamond). Do a really good job because this is where the soap and hand lotion collect.

Rinse. Your ring will look brand new and blindingly fabulous! If you have a question you can reach me at sweeneyxoxo@mindspring.com and see my jewelry offerings at http://shop.ebay.com/nikki-knows-good-stuff/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 or myvintagediamondrings.com