The Right Way to Clean Your Wedding Jewelry

Spring cleaning may have you dusting off your diamonds, but are you doing it correctly? We thought we were until we spoke with GIA-graduate and gemologist Amy Helein, who schooled us on the right way to scrub down your precious stones. Read on for her tips for the safest ways to make your jewels sparkle.

1. One common misconception many jewelry owners have is that it's OK to clean jewelry with toothpaste. Although toothpaste does give diamonds extra sparkle, it can also cause damage thanks to the abrasives in toothpaste that can scratch metal and stones.

2. Try using an ammonia-based cleaner or rubbing alcohol with a soft toothbrush to clean your diamond jewelry. Then dry with a soft clean cloth.

3. A "pearl" of wisdom: if you own a strand of pearls, use a slightly damp cloth to wipe off the dirt. Avoid getting the string wet, as water can cause the string to stretch out or weaken.

4. Stay clear of the sink! As obvious as it sounds, we've all caught ourselves making this mistake once or twice. Don't do it! Those tiny pieces get slippery when wet and can pop out of your hand and be down the drain in seconds.

5. When shopping for cleaning supplies, pay attention to the labels. There are some jewelry cleaners that are for diamonds only, while others are just for silver; others are specifically for pearls, opals, and emeralds. When in doubt, use warm water and a soft-bristle toothbrush.

6. Have your jewelry professionally checked and cleaned one to two times a year. (The pieces you wear most often are the pieces you’ll want to have inspected more frequently.)

7. Visit your jeweler anytime you bump your ring and think you may have a loose stone or chip. 8. During your yearly inspections, have your jeweler check the current value of your jewelry to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage in the event of loss or damage.

If you haven't already insured your engagement and wedding rings, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company makes it quick and easy. Their Perfect Circle® Jewelry Insurance coverage provides worldwide, comprehensive protection against loss, theft, damage, and mysterious disappearance. And if loss or damage happens, they encourage you to work with the jeweler of your choice to replace your piece with one of the same kind and quality. So instead of worrying about worst-case scenarios, take the time to protect your precious ring with Perfect Circle® Jewelry Insurance -- the jewelry insurance experts for more than 100 years. (But you still aren't allowed to clean your jewelry over the sink!)