How to Clean a Platinum Wedding Band

A platinum wedding band will be yours for the rest of your life. Thanks to the resilience and enduring strength of platinum, it is the most low maintenance precious metal to care for. Nevertheless, you will still need to keep your platinum wedding band clean. Rings are in the line of fire for every day dirt and debris, and can collect things like soap or skincare products quite easily.

Why Do I Need to Clean My Platinum Wedding Band?

Some clients are surprised that platinum jewellery needs maintenance, as it is famously a nonreactive, strong material. However, no matter how strong a material is, everything requires some care and attention to keep it looking its best.

The first thing to clear up is that markings on your platinum wedding band are not cause for concern. Dark marks or build up could make you think that you have been mis sold another metal instead of platinum.

Your platinum wedding ring should not tarnish. Tarnishing is the process of a metal reacting with atmospheric elements to create a chemical reaction on the surface, which may appear like discolouration. The most famous example of this is copper which is a natural warm golden tone, but oxidises to a bright green. If there is something which looks like discolouration on your platinum ring, then the most likely culprit is simply dirt.

You might also notice that on more ornate jewellery such as engagement rings, dirt and debris can become caught in the crevices of each detail on the piece. Places like behind diamonds or in between the prongs on settings can collect dirt, which builds up over time. Removing this not only makes your jewellery more sparkly, but also helps preserve the longevity of the piece.

How To Clean a Platinum Wedding Band

1. Fill a bowl with very hot, clean water
2. Add in a squirt of mild soap such as Fairy Liquid
3. Optionally add in 5-10 sprays of a mild glass cleaning spray such as Windex (not suitable for antique jewellery, or jewellery with precious stones which are not diamonds)
4. Soak your wedding ring in this solution for 10 minutes or until the water is cool
5. Use a soft toothbrush or jewellery cleaning brush to gently scrub your ring, removing any build up of grime or debris
6. Rinse with clean water
7. Pat dry with a paper towel

If you carefully follow the above steps, your platinum wedding ring should shine just as brightly as the day you said “I do”!

Alternative Ways to Clean a Platinum Wedding Band

If you are not fond of the DIY approach, then not to worry. You can clean your platinum jewellery by using a purpose made jewellery cleaning kit . The correct cleaning method will depend on the kit you choose, so be careful to follow the instructions to avoid damaging your jewellery.

Every so often it is a good idea to have your platinum wedding band and any other fine jewellery that you own serviced by a jeweller. When your ring comes in for a service, the jeweller should clean your ring using an ultrasonic cleaner. They may also polish your ring, unless you request that they do not.

You can buy ultrasonic cleaners to keep at home if you have a lot of fine jewellery that you need to clean. This is a great option to keep at home if you have a lot of jewellery with fiddly settings or ornate engraving, as it can really get in the small spaces. However, an ultrasonic can be too aggressive for certain jewellery items. This includes any jewellery made from tungsten carbide, or set with the following gemstones:

Emerald

Onyx

Opal

Turquoise

Lapis Lazuli

Feldspar

Topaz

Amber

Malachite

Mother of Pearl

Some coloured diamonds

Caring For Your Platinum Wedding Ring

No matter which cleaning method you choose, the most important final step is always to ensure that your ring is completely dry and clear of cleaning chemicals before you put it back on. Platinum itself is a hypoallergenic material, so it is ideal for those with sensitive skin. However, if you put your ring back on and there is still water or soap behind the band, you may end up harming your skin. Putting wet jewellery back on can cause contact dermatitis or other similar skin complaints. Never use soap on your jewellery that you know that you cannot use on or near your skin.

Platinum is a strong metal, but it is not stronger than many day to day object that your hand will come into contact with. Scratches are inevitable on your wedding band, platinum or not. To prevent excessive scratching, we do recommend removing your ring for strenuous activities such as working out at the gym or gardening.

Make sure that your wedding band is insured for it’s full replacement value, either on your home contents insurance or with it’s own insurance policy. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your priceless memories!

What else would you like to learn about platinum jewellery care? Leave your comments and questions below!

By Indra Dryden-Shaw