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1.26.2010

How to Clean Your Bling! Tutorial Tuesday

My sister-in-law taught me this trick years ago (thanks Lisa!), and I've cleaned my wedding rings this way ever since. Why spend the money on the kits they sell at the jeweler when you can get professional looking results at home? For reals!

Let's Clean Your Bling, Baby!


Supplies:

One cup of water
1/2 Tbsp. powdered laundry detergent (don't use anything with bleach, I use plain ol' Arm & Hammer )
Small sauce pan


**(Disclaimer: I have only used this method with my own rings that are gold and diamond with platinum settings. I don't know how this process would work with a silver, white gold, or platinum ring or other stones.)



Combine the water, detergent, and your rings in the pan.

Directions:



Place over the burner...It's so scary! I know! Let it come to a boil.



Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble...

Let bubble on low for about 5 minutes.



Rinse and pat dry:



and walk around gesturing wildly with your sparkly bling!



DIY Day @ ASPTL

29 comments:

  1. Wow, I've never heard of boiling it before. I'm super tempted to try it!

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  2. Okay...so I just read this post, and I immediately had to try it. I have a lovely engagement ring, but oh, does it attract the dirt! I have tried everything, and I mean everything, to try to keep in sparkling in between visits to the jeweler (which really only happens about once per year!). Yes, I was nervous to place it in boiling water, but I did it. Of course, you did not steer me wrong...it is sparkling like I can't believe! Yay!! So happy to have this new "method" that actually works!!

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  3. Love that idea! I'll be trying it soon!

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  4. Thanks! I'll for sure be trying this. My rings really need it. Apparently I don't get to the jeweler very often.

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  5. Beautiful rings...which reminds me, I need to clean mine. I have one of those ultrasonic doo dads for it. But, mine are so dirty!!

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  6. I use windex and a toothbrush to clean mine and it works really well! I'll have to try this sometime and see the difference!

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  7. scary! seriously - you let it boil? or do you just keep the temp on low?

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  8. I usually just soak mine in an ammonia and water mix. I'll have to try this method.

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  9. Oooh, I can't wait to try this one ~ love it when my rings are all sparkly :)

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  10. Great tip. I usually use toothpaste and a toothbrush. works like a charm. :)

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  11. This makes me too nervous. I might try the windex or ammonia method. My rings are in desperate need of a cleaning.

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  12. Oh, I will have to try this!

    I got spray paint on mine!!! ACK!

    I hope maybe this will get it off, I will definitely take my bling off next time!

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  13. I have to try this!!! What good is bling if it isn't bedazzling!?

    Judy@cutest-little-things

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  14. I have also heard that you can use toothpaste and a toothbrush and scrub away.

    Worth a try.

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  15. lolol awesome... that's a darn simple way to clean some bling =D wonder if it would work on my argentium ring...

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  16. You know, I've never thought about "cleaning my bling," but it's such a great idea! Thank you for posting about how to do it!

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  17. I usually use windex and a toothbrush too...or just smoosh the jeweller into it while I pretend like I'm going to buy something :)

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  18. Wow - so cool.... I will have to try this!!

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  19. i am going to give this a go.
    the jeweller told me never to use toothpaste as it is an abrasive and isn't good for gold and some gems.
    i have tended to soak mine in mild detergent and give a sccrub with an old toothbrush.

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  20. I have a little hand held steamer for cleaning the kitchen with (it uses just water). When I'm done cleaning the counters, I plop my rings on a wash cloth and give them a blast of steam. Works every time.

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  21. brilliant! sometimes i spray a little window cleaner on it when i'm cleaning, too!

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  22. I've been trying to find a way to clean my wedding ring at home without using the filmy store cleaners. I don't know if I'm brave enough though!! Great idea!!

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  23. I wonder if this works for earrings too. You know they get that yucky stuff on them that is hard to get off and you scrub and scrub. I worry that I'm a little too ADHD to remember and I'd probably boil them away to nothing if I didn't set a timer or something!

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  24. i have to tell you a funny story. my mother(senior citizen) read one time about doing this with her jewelry. she put them in the pan and forgot about them. she came into the room and she had melted the jewelry onto the bottom of the saucepan!!! she has the pan hanging in her kitchen. i might ask for it in the will!!!

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  25. FYI I ran a jewellery store for years.
    You can do this with diamonds only. Your diamonds can still shatter if there are certain types of inclusions (the clarity of the stone) or if it is damaged. Keep the heat on low. You can do this with your gold, platinum, but never silver, and if it's rhodium plated (usually white gold is, and some platinum - only do this for a short time - say 5 min) You can also use mr. clean instead of the detergent (a capful will do you fine, just remember to keep your kitchen well ventilated.
    You may also clean your rubies and sapphires with the hot water, but do not boil, the rest of the rules still apply. Do not use on synthetic or created stones, or stones that have been treated with heat to give it color, or softer stones - examples: amethyst, topaz, emerald, opal, pearls, garnets, aquamarine, peridot, alexandrite, onyx.
    Great post!

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