How To Look After Your Engagement Ring

Below are the top 4 tips for cleaning and looking after your engagement ring. 

This is followed by more detailed information on Moissanite, its composition, and further detailed advice on looking after and caring for moissanite and engagement rings. 

TLDR Top Tips:

1. Clean your ring regularly: It's a good idea to clean your ring every few weeks to remove any dirt or grime that may have built up. You can do this by soaking the ring in a bowl of warm water with mild dish soap, then gently scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush.
   
   
2. Protect your ring from damage: Avoid exposing your ring to harsh chemicals, such as bleach or chlorine, as they can harm the metal and gemstones. It's also advisable to remove your ring when engaging in activities that could potentially damage it, such as gardening or heavy lifting.
   
   
3. Store your ring safely: When you're not wearing your ring, store it in a secure place, such as a jewellery box with compartments or a fabric-lined ring holder. This will help prevent scratches and accidental damage.
   
   
4. Have your ring professionally cleaned and checked: It's a good practice to have your ring professionally cleaned and inspected by a jeweller every year or so. This will ensure that the setting remains secure, and the gemstones are adequately cleaned and polished.

Further Details are below for a more in-depth look into caring for your Jewellery. 

Table of Contents:

• Understanding Moissanite
  • The Composition of Moissanite
• Cleaning Your Moissanite Engagement Ring
  • The Detergent Bath Method
  • Professional Cleaning Options
• Caring for Your Moissanite Engagement Ring
  • The Importance of Removing Your Ring in Certain Situations
  • Maintaining its Shine between Professional Cleanings
• FAQs in Relation to "How to Clean and Care for Moissanite Engagement Ring"
  • What is the best way to clean a moissanite engagement ring?
  • What should you avoid with moissanite?
  • What not to do with a moissanite ring?
  • Does Moissanite get cloudy over time?
• Conclusion.

The Composition of Moissanite

A compound called silicon carbide, identified by chemist Henri Moissan in the late 1800s and named after him, forms moissanite stones. But don’t mistake moissanite for any ordinary lab-grown diamond alternative. These stones possess their own distinct properties that set them apart.

In terms of hardness, which gauges scratch resistance, they come second only to diamonds on the Mohs Hardness Scale. In fact, they are even more brilliant than diamonds. That's because their refractive index—the measurement responsible for making gems glitter—is higher than that of a diamond. The good news? Your precious ring will be incredibly durable and dazzle with an extraordinary fire.

Cleaning Your Moissanite Engagement Ring

Your moissanite engagement ring is a symbol of love and commitment. Keeping it sparkling clean isn't just about aesthetics, but also about maintaining its value and integrity. The good news? Cleaning your moissanite jewellery doesn't require fancy cleaning products or services.

The Detergent Bath Method

A simple detergent bath can effectively clean your precious ring at home. To start with this cleaning method, fill a small bowl with warm water mixed with mild soap (avoid harsh chemicals that might scratch the surface of the moissanite stone).

Gently place your ring in the soapy solution for around 20 minutes to let grime loosen up from those hard-to-reach areas like under the prongs and within the setting.

You'll need something soft yet effective to scrub away stubborn dirt on parts of your ring where most buildup occurs - a soft toothbrush does an excellent job here. Pay special attention to spaces behind stones or any design details on bands while you gently scrub away debris.

Rinse off all soap residue under cold water after cleaning, ensuring no soap suds are left as they may dull sparkle over time. Air dry it completely before storing it back in its secure location inside your jewellery box. MER's comprehensive guide provides more detailed steps for this process if needed.

Professional Cleaning Options

If you're not comfortable handling delicate tasks yourself or simply want someone else’s expertise for peace of mind, consider hiring professional help every once in awhile.

Jewellery professionals often use commercial-grade cleaners that are specifically designed for precious metals and gemstones like moissanite. They also have the right tools to get into those tiny crevices where dirt likes to hide.

Another advantage of getting a ring professional to clean your jewellery is their ability to spot potential issues such as loose prongs or stones, helping prevent damage before it happens. This article on Professional Jeweller explains more about this process.

Just a heads up, it's best to keep your engagement ring off when you're around harsh chemicals. Places like swimming pools or hot tubs could damage it. Be careful with chlorine too.

Caring for Your Moissanite Engagement Ring

Love your moissanite engagement ring? So do we. And the good news is, with a little TLC, it'll keep sparkling as bright as your love. Here's how to give special attention to that precious ring and prevent damage.

The Importance of Removing Your Ring in Certain Situations

You might think wearing your beautiful moissanite rings everywhere shows commitment. But some situations call for you to avoid wearing them - all in the name of love...and preservation.

Remember this: chlorine can harm the precious metals in a moissanite engagement ring, particularly 18K gold. That's because 18K gold mixes 75% pure gold with 25% metal alloy which can include copper, zinc or silver. Copper is especially susceptible to chlorine damage. So next time you're about to dive into that pool or hot tub, secure your jewellery collection elsewhere.

Avoid harsh chemicals not only at the pool but also during household chores like cleaning and gardening – these activities could scratch moissanite stones or even dislodge them from their settings if they catch on something. MER recommends storing such items securely when not worn.

Maintaining its Shine between Professional Cleanings

Surely professional cleanings are great; having a ring professional check out your beloved piece is never wrong - especially since they'll pay extra care checking those tricky spots like under the stone and around any intricate detailing on the band (the so-called 'prongs'). However sometimes you just need simple at-home tips:

• Gentle cleaning: Mix warm soapy water in a small bowl, using mild soap. Let your ring sit for about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Gentle scrubbing: Use a soft toothbrush (children's ones are perfect) to gently scrub the moissanite gemstones and the rest of the ring's setting.
• Rinse & Dry: Give it a good rinse under cold running water. Then, let it air dry or gently pat it completely dry with a soft cloth before you put it on again or stash it away in its jewelry box.

FAQs in Relation to "How to Clean and Care for Moissanite Engagement Ring"

What is the best way to clean a moissanite engagement ring?

You can keep your moissanite ring sparkling by using a gentle detergent bath. This involves soaking it in warm water with mild liquid soap, gently brushing it, and then rinsing.

What should you avoid with moissanite?

Avoid exposing your moissanite ring to harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Chlorine, especially from pools or hot tubs, can harm both the stone and its metal setting.

What not to do with a moissanite ring?

Ditch wearing your precious bauble while doing heavy-duty tasks like gardening or cleaning as they may scratch or damage it. It's also wise not to wear it in chlorinated water.

Does Moissanite get cloudy over time?

Nope. Unlike some gemstones that lose their sparkle over time due to oil build-up or grime deposit on their surface, quality lab-grown Moissanites don't cloud up if cared for properly.

Conclusion

Preserving the sparkle of your moissanite engagement ring is a task that requires understanding, patience, and regular care.

The key to keeping its brilliance lies in simple yet effective cleaning methods like detergent baths or professional cleanings when needed.

Avoiding harsh chemicals and removing it during activities that could scratch moissanite or harm its setting also play vital roles in maintaining your precious piece.

But don't forget, taking care of a moissanite engagement ring isn't just about the cleaning methods. It's about making sure that symbol of your love remains as radiant and lively as it was on day one.