As a DC wedding photographer, I feel pretty confident in telling all future brides that their engagement ring will be, by far, their most photographed piece of jewelry. It’s the centerpiece of your engagement session and even on your wedding day, the one ring that ties together your two wedding bands. After all, it’s more than just a ring, it’s a symbol of you and your fiance making an agreement to become man and wife; it’s the reason all your guests gather together to celebrate your nuptials and the reason __. It’s the beginning of everything. Suffice to say, you certainly want to ensure it sparkles in all your photos, so I’m sharing a few ways to regain that “like new” shine!

1. DIY
If your ring has only been exposed to “regular” wear and tear, a straightforward at-home cleaning should be sufficient.  While there are many different DIY cleaning methods out there, one thing is certain: do not use any harsh chemicals or abrasive products as they can be damaging to the diamond or finish of your ring. These include chlorine, acetone, toothpaste, bleach, baking soda, vinegar, and ammonia just to name a few. Instead, try soaking your ring in a simple solution of warm (almost hot) water, dawn dish soap, and a few drops of lemon oil. After about 30 minutes, gently brush the diamond with a soft toothbrush and rinse it clean. Violà! 

2. Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner
If you find your ring has a bit more grime or needs frequent cleanings, you may want to invest in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. They are actually fairly inexpensive (between $25-50) and do a phenomenal job. I use THIS one from Amazon and am always impressed with how efficiently and effectively it works! For a deeper clean, add a few drops of dish soap or lemon oil like used above. The best part is, this can be used for far more than just your engagement ring — it can clean most jewelry you own!

3. Professional Jeweler
After a weekend spent outdoors or getting messy doing some home projects, you may find that your ring needs a deep, rigorous clean to return it to its original state. In this case, I’d recommend reaching out to a professional jeweler to drop your ring off for a cleaning. There may be a small cost for this service, but the peace of mind knowing your heirloom is in good hands is invaluable. 

No matter what method you choose, I can guarantee your wedding photographer is going to love you when you show up with a clean, sparkly diamond! Trust me, the pictures will be absolutely worth it!