Most jewellery does not wear out — it gets dirty. A ring that looks dull after two years of daily wear is almost always just coated in soap, lotion and skin oil. Here is the five-minute clean that works for almost every piece, plus the things that genuinely cause damage.

The safe home clean

For diamond, moissanite, gold and platinum pieces:

  1. Pour a bowl of warm (not boiling) water.
  2. Add a drop of mild washing-up liquid — nothing anti-bacterial or lemon-scented.
  3. Soak the ring for 20–30 minutes.
  4. Gently brush behind the centre stone with a very soft toothbrush.
  5. Rinse under warm running water with the plughole closed.
  6. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

This removes the skin-oil film that stops light entering the stone. It is the single biggest improvement you can make at home.

What actually damages jewellery

  • Chlorine — hot tubs, swimming pools. Chlorine pits gold alloys over years and can loosen prongs. Take rings off before swimming.
  • Perfume and hairspray — spray first, put jewellery on after. Chemicals build up on prongs and dull the finish.
  • Lotions and hand cream — they film the stone. Take rings off when you apply hand cream, especially in winter.
  • Hard knocks — diamonds are hard but not indestructible. A sharp knock against a worktop can chip an edge. Take rings off for heavy lifting, gardening and gym work.
  • Silver dips and polishing cloths — avoid them on gem-set pieces; they can creep under prongs and discolour stones.

What about moissanite?

Moissanite is safe with the warm-soap clean. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on older or lower-grade moissanite — the vibrations can occasionally loosen the setting. For GRA-certified moissanite in a well-made setting, an ultrasonic clean once or twice a year at a jeweller is fine.

Professional check-ups

Once a year, take your engagement ring to a jeweller for a prong check. A loose prong that catches on clothing is the most common reason people lose a centre stone. Most high-street jewellers will check prongs for free, even if you did not buy from them.

Storing it safely

Store pieces separately, not jumbled together in a box. Diamonds scratch gold, and gold scratches gold. A fabric-lined box with separate slots is ideal. If you travel, use a small roll pouch rather than tossing everything into a washbag.