How To Clean and Care For Your Cubic Zirconia Engagement Ring
Are you the proud owner of a brand new CZ Ring? They are amazing gems that have become very popular these days and are often used in engagement ring designs. It is important to know how to care for and clean it properly so your ring will stay lustrous and vibrant for years to come. CZ’s are durable, but also delicate when it comes to exposure to certain elements. It’s smart to handle these stones carefully. All you need is a basic understanding of the composition of this beautiful gem and the major do’s and don’t s of how to clean it so your ring will always sparkle and shine.
The Perfect Diamond Alternative
Cubic Zirconia is a synthesized gem that looks almost identical to a diamond. It is the perfect diamond alternative. This material is harder than most other semi-precious gems and is translucent, or devoid of color. Its surface is highly-reflective, making it sparkle and shimmer more than other gems, including diamonds. Surface facets can be smoothed or rounded, depending on the particular style of design.
What Can Harm Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic Zirconia is very hard, which makes it brittle and susceptible to nicks and chips. Guarding against careless bumps and paying attention to your surroundings helps protect your investment. It is important to guard your ring from hitting against walls, doors, or any other hard object that could scratch or mar the surface of the gem. In addition to getting roughed up, cubic zirconia can lose its shine from everyday household and beauty products. Coming into contact with the following products can dull your rings surface:
•Body lotions
•Perfume
•Hairspray
•Household sprays and cleaning solutions
These substances will form a film over your ring that can be difficult to completely remove; especially lotions and soaps. They can “cloud up” the gems surface and make it appear dull and lifeless. Even your skins natural oils can dull the stone if contact is not limited.
How To Care For Your Precious Cubic Zirconia Ring
Caring for your ring is easy and the process is the same as when you care for a real diamond. Both gems need to be worn only when necessary to avoid unwanted marks on the surface. Diamonds are the harder substance and can withstand more damage, but both should be protected and removed when doing any type of labor. Both gems can be steamed by a jeweler and should be every few months to make sure every layer of grime is removed.
How Jewelers Clean CZ Gemstones
Daily Care Tips- How To Clean A Cubic Zirconia Ring
•Gently wash the surface of your ring with a mild dish washing soap and warm water. Use a soft bristled brush (harsher bristles can leave scratches) to gently lift and remove any dirt or chemical build-up.
•For hard to remove grime that has built up over time soak the ring in 1/3 of detergent and 2/3 parts hot water. Soak for a few minutes, scrub and rinse.
• Remove your ring before applying lotions, working out or lifting heavy objects. This will diminish your chances of soiling or scratching your ring.
If you simply prefer a solution that you don’t have to mix and measure yourself, there are several jewelry cleaner products that can safely be used for Cubic Zirconia.
Sparkle Bright All-Natural Liquid Jewelry Cleaner is a good option if you want something that is non-toxic, chemical-free and can be used to clean almost any type of jewelry; Rhinestones and CZ’s included.
With proper care, a CZ ring can last you a lifetime. By taking extra care with handling, your brilliant stone will remain smooth and lustrous for a long, long time. A clean, well -cared for cubic zirconia engagement ring will have you looking and feeling like the brilliant, treasured jewel you are.
Image Credits: Engagement Ring, By Gary Bridgman (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons