Restoring Silver Wedding Rings: Make Them Shine Again

Silver is a popular choice for wedding rings, but it can be prone to tarnishing and discolouration over time. Luckily, there are several ways to restore your silver wedding ring to its former glory. You can either take it to a professional jeweller, or you can try to clean it yourself at home. If you want to try the DIY approach, you can use a range of household products such as baby shampoo, lemon juice, ketchup, toothpaste, or baking soda to polish your ring and remove any tarnish. However, it's important to be careful when cleaning your ring at home, as some methods may not be suitable for rings with certain types of stones.

Use a light-duty torch to heat the ring

To make wedding rings silver again, you can use a light-duty torch to heat the ring. This is a process called annealing, which releases tension in the metal and makes it less likely to crack or break. It is important to use a torch with a medium setting and to be careful not to point it at anything flammable, including yourself. The hottest part of the flame is directly in front of the innermost blue cone, so it is important to heat the ring with this part of the flame.

Start by holding the torch further away from the ring and gradually move it closer, making gentle circles with the flame as you do so. Heat the entire ring evenly. Once the metal glows bright red, the solder should melt and flow into the joint. Continue heating for a few more seconds, then remove the heat and set the torch down to cool. If your solder doesn't flow into the joint, ensure that your workpiece is clean and free of oxidation or dirt. You should also check that you have added enough flux and that the solder chip is touching both sides of the joint. Remember to heat the workpiece evenly to avoid uneven heating, which can result in solder flooding to just one side of the joint.

Before soldering, it is important to prepare your work area and gather the necessary supplies. You will need smooth jaw pliers, a saw frame, blades, and bur lubricant, sandpaper, an old toothbrush and soap, a butane torch with fuel, sterling silver wire, chemical-resistant gloves, silver solder, a quench container with water, and a fireproof work surface. Additionally, you may want to use a ring mandrel to form the ring into a circle after soldering, as silver is a soft metal that can be easily shaped with pliers.

After soldering, allow the ring to cool for several seconds, then transfer it to a water-filled quench container. Plop it into a heated pickle pot to soak, as this will help remove any firescale that may have formed during the heating process. Finally, you can use a rawhide mallet to hammer the ring into its final shape and polish it to a bright shine.

Clean with baby shampoo and water

To make your wedding rings silver again, you can try cleaning them with baby shampoo and water. This method is particularly useful if you don't have any dish soap to hand, as the two products are interchangeable in terms of their cleaning power.

Firstly, fill a small bowl with warm water and add a small amount of baby shampoo. You can then place your rings into the bowl and leave them to soak for 20-40 minutes. This will loosen any dirt or dried lotion, making it easier to scrub off with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

After soaking, give your rings a rinse in warm running water before drying them with a soft cotton cloth or letting them air dry. It's best to avoid using paper towels or napkins, as these can leave fibres and potentially scratch the metal.

It's worth noting that baby shampoo is designed to be gentle and not strip all the oil from a baby's scalp, so it may not be as effective as dish soap at removing oil and grime from your rings. If you have delicate stones in your rings, such as opals or emeralds, it may be best to avoid harsher detergents and stick to baby shampoo and water.

In addition to baby shampoo, you can also use regular shampoo or body wash to clean your rings, but be sure to avoid anything that is moisturising, as these products tend to leave a film on the rings.

Soak in lemon juice and water

Lemon juice is a popular DIY solution for cleaning jewellery, but it should be avoided. Lemon juice is very acidic and abrasive, and can damage jewellery. The acidity in lemon juice will tarnish, discolour, and scratch your wedding rings.

However, if you are determined to use lemon juice to clean your wedding rings, it is important to take certain precautions. First, do not use lemon juice on pearls. Pearls are fragile, and the acidity of lemon juice may cause them to disintegrate. Second, always dilute the lemon juice with water. The exact ratio of lemon juice to water will depend on the level of tarnishing on your wedding rings. For heavily tarnished items, a higher concentration of lemon juice may be required.

To clean your wedding rings with lemon juice and water, start by mixing the lemon juice and water in a small bowl. Soak your wedding rings in the solution for several hours. The longer you soak the rings, the more effective the cleaning will be. After soaking, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the rings and remove any remaining dirt or residue. Finally, rinse the rings thoroughly with warm water and dry them completely with a soft cloth.

It is important to note that lemon juice is not the best method for cleaning wedding rings. There are other, more effective, and less damaging methods available. For example, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean tarnished silver rings. Alternatively, a simple solution of mild soap and water can be used to clean diamond rings.

Soak in ketchup

It may sound odd, but ketchup is an effective way to restore the shine of your wedding rings. The acid in the tomatoes reacts with the oxidizing of the tarnished silver.

• Pour some ketchup into a bowl.
• Place your wedding rings into the bowl, ensuring they are fully submerged in the ketchup.
• Let the rings sit in the ketchup for 5-10 minutes.
• Remove the rings from the bowl and rinse them with warm water.
• Buff the rings dry with a soft cloth or rag.

If your rings have areas of old, built-up tarnish, you can apply ketchup directly to these spots and leave it on for 15 minutes before rubbing with a microfiber cloth and rinsing with water.

This method is best for cleaning a small number of items, such as 1-2 rings, and may not be the most effective method for heavily tarnished silver.

Polish with toothpaste

If you want to make your wedding rings silver again, you might be considering using toothpaste as a polishing agent. However, it is important to note that toothpaste is overly abrasive and can cause scratches on both the metal and the stone of your ring. Instead, it is recommended to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and warm water with a drop of dish soap to gently scrub the ring.

If you want to try the toothpaste method, here is a general step-by-step guide:

Choose the Right Toothpaste:

Select a standard, white toothpaste with no additional whitening or abrasive ingredients. Avoid gel toothpastes as they may contain ingredients that are too harsh for your ring.

Prepare the Ring:

Place your ring in a small bowl or container. If there is built-up dirt or residue, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently loosen it before proceeding. Ensure that the sink drain is blocked to prevent the ring from accidentally falling in and getting lost.

Apply Toothpaste:

Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the ring, ensuring that it covers all surfaces. You can use a cotton swab or a soft toothbrush to gently apply the toothpaste, especially in crevices and around the stone.

Let it Sit:

Allow the toothpaste to sit on the ring for a few minutes. This will give it time to work on the tarnish and discolouration. Do not let it sit for too long, as it may dry out and become harder to rinse off.

Rinse and Dry:

Rinse the ring thoroughly with warm water to remove all traces of toothpaste. You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the ring during the rinsing process to help dislodge any remaining toothpaste. Finally, dry the ring with a soft, clean cloth.

While the toothpaste method may be tempting, it is important to remember that it is not recommended by jewellery experts due to the potential for scratching and damage. The above steps are provided as general guidance, and you should always consult a professional jeweller for advice on the best cleaning methods for your specific rings.

Frequently asked questions