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Mrs. Nachos, Chicago/St. Thomas Age and Occupation: 33, Commercial Real Estate & Hairstylist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 36, Radio Producer Engagement Date: May 22, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2010 Venue: Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort, St. Thomas About Me: I'm a happy, laid back city girl that can find the silver lining in any situation. An optimist at heart, my motto is to turn your "what ifs?" into "so whats!". My fiance is a radio producer and the biggest Cubs fan you'll meet - our apartment decor definitely shows it. He and I grew up next door to each other and because of it, we have the best home videos and easiest holiday dinners. We are planning an intimate wedding in the Virgin Islands and a cocktail party in June for 150 of our closest friends.
About Mrs. Nachos

Anything to Make My Sparkle Sparkly :  wedding rings st thomas Diamond1 diamond1

(source)

Since I’ve had my ring, I’ve been using the bottle of jewelry cleaner that came with it. Recently I started running a little low on the magic liquid in a pump, and I started getting nervous about what to use once I squeeze every last drop out of the bottle. My mom has always been a fan of straight ammonia in a glass. I remember walking past her ring soaking on the kitchen counter and the fumes would go straight up my nose. When I worked for a dermatologist, we’d all put our jewelry in the ultrasonic cleaner that was meant to clean the instruments before sterilizing them, which was kinda gross now that I think about it. A few weekends ago when we met with Mr. N’s Aunt for house hunting, she offered up her secret…

  • Put water in a mug
  • Put mug in microwave for 2 minutes
  • Add a few drops of liquid dish soap (not the stuff you put in the dishwasher, more like Ivory Liquid or Dawn)
  • Drop in ring and let sit till water cools
  • Rub with a toothbrush (I’ve been using my trusty eyeshadow brush ’cause it’s more gentle)
  • Rinse

So simple. It seemed too simple actually, but I still tried it as soon as I got home. I was a little unsure about the dish soap on white gold and diamonds, but I figured if she’s been doing this to her ring for years and it looks as great as it does, it couldn’t hurt to try. Oh. My. Goodness. My ring hasn’t looked as clean/clear/sparkly as it did the day I got it until now! And I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but I swear it stays clean longer. The last time I cleaned it was a week ago and it’s still catching my eye more than usual.

*side note* Make sure you put the soap in AFTER you microwave the water or else you may end up panicking when you look over and see a wall of foam rising from the mug and drenching your entire microwave. Um, I mean that’s what I’ve been told. I didn’t do that, I swear. Ahem.

Do you have any easy cleaning methods using stuff that most people already have around their home? (Those are my favorite kind because I’m a lazy butt and don’t want to go to the store.)

Tags: rings, st-thomas |
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66 Responses to “Anything to Make My Sparkle Sparkly”

1 2 3 4 

1.
farmersdaughter
Member
farmersdaughter (message)  1,675 posts, Bumble bee

Thanks for the tip! I used to take it in to the store my fiance bought it at to get it professionally cleaned (they did it for free!) but now that we’ve moved I’ve been stuck and unable to get that same look. I’ll definitely give this a try.

 
2.
Guest Icon
Guest
Nicole

I bought a ultrasonic jewelry cleaner within a week of getting engaged, and I absolutely love it (great deal off of amazon for $30.)

But it recommends that you use a cleaning solution, which I am generally allergic to, so my jeweler told me the same thing that your aunt told you, only I add that to the machine. And it keeps my ring super sparkly

 
3.
Miss Hot Wings
Bee
Miss Hot Wings (message)  2,213 posts, Buzzing bee

If you just need a quickie shine… a little windex does the trick.

 
4.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Lace (message)  702 posts, Busy bee

thanks for the tip. My fiance brought it to work and used an unltrasonic machine he has there and it was SPARKLY!!

 
5.
Goldilocks1107
Member
Goldilocks1107 (message)  2,504 posts, Sugar bee

Brilliant (pun intended)! I’ve been doing water and dish soap, but didn’t know about the microwave part. I’ll give that a whirl tonight.

 
6.
Miss Topsiders
Member
Miss Topsiders (message)  78 posts, Worker bee

My mom swears by toothpaste. FI tried it on my ring one night when we were watching a movie and it worked amazingly!

 
7.
OurFutureIsBright
Member
OurFutureIsBright (message)  138 posts, Blushing bee

that sounds great, i’ll have to try it! i’ve been using a cleaning solution my fiance got from the store and an infant toothbrush. then i dry it off/polish it with a mircrofiber cleaning cloth i used to used for the bathroom sinks!

 
8.
Guest Icon
Guest
Kate

Thanks for the tip! I drop into a jeweler once every month or every month to get my ring cleaned. Most often, if I am in a mall walking by a random jewelry store, I just drop in and ask.. it’s always been free!

For the quick home cleaning, I’ve used the hot water, and soap method…. or hold it in front of a little steam out of the tea kettle!… I’m definitely going to try this microwaved water method! Thanks again!

 
9.
KellyV
Member
KellyV (message)  2,526 posts, Sugar bee

Ill try that! But I swear by windex…which I suppose isnt much different than ammonia. But I swear it makes my ring look amazing. I just soak it in a spray or 4, let it sit for a few, then use a soft toothbrush and rinse.

 
10.
dancergmu3
Member
dancergmu3 (message)  289 posts, Helper bee

My FI is the one that suggested that to me. Isn’t that hysterical?! One day he took my ring and started using warm water, dish soap, and a toothbrush on it and I PANICKED. However, I came to realize he (and your Aunt) are geniuses. :)

 
11.
cabanagrl9
Member
cabanagrl9 (message)  466 posts, Helper bee

I use windex as well, but I am always open to new ideas!

 
12.
SabrinaR424
Member
SabrinaR424 (message)  266 posts, Helper bee

I clean mine almost the exact same way. I use hot water from the tap, regular hand soap rather than dish soap, and a baby’s toothbrush (super soft bristles). Works like a charm!

 
13.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Hamster (message)  4,046 posts, Honey bee

I do this too!!

 
14.
Blueshoes2
Member
Blueshoes2 (message)  2,638 posts, Sugar bee

Great tip! My ring has been looking dull from all of the lotion I’ve been using on my poor, dry hands. I’m going to try this ASAP tonight!

 
15.
Guest Icon
Guest
JF

Add a tablespoon of pure ammonia to that exact same recipe, and it’s even more amazing.

 
16.
BrianneG
Member
BrianneG (message)  938 posts, Busy bee

Yeah, I’ve only used windex. But it worked fine.

 
17.
redbullfanatic
Member
redbullfanatic (message)  489 posts, Helper bee

This is the exact method I use every week. I was using ring cleaner but I felt that it yellowed my white gold way faster so I stopped and switched. Also I don’t use dish soap I use baby shampoo and a baby toothbrush.

 
18.
alivoo01
Member
alivoo01 (message)  2,622 posts, Sugar bee

I use a combination of your mom’s and your aunt’s secret recipe, which I got from my jewelry appraiser. I do this about once a week and my ring shines like its on display at the jewelry store!

1) One third ammonia, one third dish soap, and one third water of any container you use (I use a small 2oz tupperware)

2) Heat up for 20 seconds in microwave

3) Drop ring in and let soak for a few minutes

4) Take ring out and brush with old toothbrush (remember to get between the prongs, underside of the ring, and anywhere there are holes)

5) Rinse with warm water

Since I do mine in a 2oz tupperware container, I put a lid on it and can reuse the solution the following week. The appraiser said the solution lasts awhile and to just change it out once a month.

 
19.
ms.tangerine
Member
ms.tangerine (message)  15 posts, Newbee

Thank you for posting this!

 
20.
VintageDivine
Member
VintageDivine (message)  337 posts, Helper bee

Rubbing Alcohol. I have diamond earrings that I wear every day, and the screwbacks tend to get all gross after a while. I let them soak in a shot glass of rubbing alcohol, swirl them around with a toothbrush handle, then scrub lightly. Works wonders, and helps keep my piercings from getting infected.

 
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Mrs. Nachos
Mrs. Nachos

Mrs. Nachos, Chicago/St. Thomas Age and Occupation: 33, Commercial Real Estate & Hairstylist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 36, Radio Producer Engagement Date: May 22, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2010 Venue: Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort, St. Thomas About Me: I'm a happy, laid back city girl that can find the silver lining in any situation. An optimist at heart, my motto is to turn your "what ifs?" into "so whats!". My fiance is a radio producer and the biggest Cubs fan you'll meet - our apartment decor definitely shows it. He and I grew up next door to each other and because of it, we have the best home videos and easiest holiday dinners. We are planning an intimate wedding in the Virgin Islands and a cocktail party in June for 150 of our closest friends.

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