My web designer gave me a pop quiz when he first started working with me. “What are the key words that might pull up the most relevant pictures of engagement rings?” he asked. I came up with three or four words, but didn’t even come close to the winning adjective. “MY engagement ring” he said, and showed me how many people take pictures and post them with that heading of the ring they want, or the one they received.

The pride and pleasure of ownership that accompany that ring should last as long as the stones themselves. For most people, their engagement ring is the most expensive piece of jewelry they have in their wardrobe. But what do you think happens to that ring after a few years? It gets to live your life with you. It does dishes, and hair and diapers. Paints the bedroom, gets the teaspoon out of the disposal and cleans the lint out of the dryer filter. Before you know it, the ring is all gooped up with hairspray, lotions and residue and you forget how nice and shiny it used to look.

Don’t be misled, there are many things in life that start out shiny and nice, but wear and tear makes them dull and disinteresting. The point is to be aware of what we find important and keep it up to the best of our ability. Whether it’s a wedding ring or the polish on your fingernails, spend the time to make the most of what you have, right now.

I have a friend who cleans her rings every time she wears them, because she is aware of how good it makes her feel when they reflect the lights everywhere she goes. She pays attention to what she finds valuable and gives quality care equal to their worth.

Never forget that it’s still a diamond underneath it all. Take a look at your own ring and notice if you’ve let life’s grittiness cover up your shine. Shake it off. Do what it takes to get back down to that original stone and don’t be afraid to sparkle.

What You Need
Soft cloths (old t-shirts are great for this), a soft bristled toothbrush (used are fine, just run them through the dishwasher before use!), small glass bowls or glass jars, and some household products like : alka-seltzer, ammonia, baking soda, beer, ivory soap, white vinegar, aluminum foil and powdered laundry detergent.

6 JEWELRY CLEANING AND CARE TIPS:

For your hard clear stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, topaz and quartz) try:
1. Anti-acid tablets (like Alka-Seltzer) to clean your stones. The effervescence of the solution will make your stones sparkle in a jiffy.
2. Ammonia and H2O. ½ cup of ammonia to 1 cup warm water, soak your jewelry for 10 minutes, rinse with cold water. Use a soft bristle toothbrush to get into any hard to reach surfaces. Gently wipe off with a soft cloth. Consider keeping a small glass dish filled with ammonia and water next to your kitchen sink and drop your diamond into it while you are washing the dishes. When you are done, your ring will be too

*DO NOT USE AMMONIA ON POROUS STONES!!!*

For Opaque stones that are porous (pearl, turquoise, coral, other minerals):
1. Ivory Soap and water. Mix 1 Tablespoon of Ivory soap into a cup of warm water. Let jewelry soak for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water. Use a soft bristle toothbrush to gently clean out any crevices that might need to be cleaned out.

To clean your metal jewelry:
1. Beer! Pour some light lager (not dark ale) onto a soft cloth and rub the beer over the piece.
Rinse off with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
2. Baking Soda and water. Mix ¼ cup Baking Soda with 2 Tablespoons of water and make a paste. Apply to your metal pieces, buff gently with a soft cloth and then clean piece in white vinegar. Rinse in cold water and dry with a soft cloth.
3. Aluminum foil and powdered laundry detergent. Line a glass bowl with foil and fill with hot water and 1 Tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent. Soak piece for 1 minute and rinse with warm water. Let air dry and then buff gently with a clean soft cloth.