#dcopperfield

These simple 14K Gold diamond stud earrings feature sparkling round-cut diamonds set on a square 14K Gold frame.

This crown deisigned band is available in 14K yellow, rose, and white Gold.

Get The Right Tools

First up, order one of our complimentary ring sizers and use it as a guide. Once it arrives, measure the finger upon which the ring will eventually sit. Measure it several times to determine the best size. Keep mind that fingers can shrink and swell slightly throughout the day, making it hard to find one “right” size.

If you can’t measure the actual finger, stealthily swipe a ring often worn by the person whose size you’re investigating—preferably a ring worn on the ring finger of their left hand (assuming you’re buying a ring for their right hand ring finger). Then, compare the plastic rings with the metal ring until you find the right match. Alternately, download a ring sizer guide and move the ring from size to size until you land on the one that matches. 

Neither option is an exact science, but they will get you close and are much more reliable than using a string or piece of paper, since those can stretch, twist, or pull too tightly around the finger.

Ask Around

Ask a family member or friend to use the plastic rings while sizing their finger in front of her or him and to compare sizes. Then they can pass the information along secretly to you.

Good Guessing

While women’s ring sizes typically range from 3 to 9, the most commonly purchased sizes range from 5 to 7; size 6 is the most popular. Men’s rings sizes range typically from 8 to 14, with the most commonly purchased rings ranging between 8 to 10.5; size 9 is the most popular. Gauge your partner’s finger shape. If they’re more slender than average, size down and vice versa. You can always exchange the ring for the correct size within 30 days unless it was a special order or final sale.

Tips and Tricks

Temperature, time of day, medications, activity level, and what you’ve had to eat or drink can all affect your finger size.

Finger size is most stable after lunch and before dinner.

Cold temperatures cause fingers to shrink and warm temperatures cause them to swell.

Be sure to measure warm fingers at the end of the day to ensure they are at their largest, or most swollen.

Most people order rings too large. If the ring sizer is snug during the day, that size might be uncomfortable at night when fingers tend to be more swollen. It is crucial that a ring fits tightly over the knuckle—so it doesn’t fall off the finger—but is not so tight as to restrict blood flow.

When the knuckle is bigger than the base of the finger, measure both places and pick a size in between the two.

Comfort fit rings can run large. This type of band has a rounded or beveled inner surface and rests more comfortably against the finger. You may want to consider ordering a ring with a comfort fit band a half size smaller.

Wider bands (from 6mm) tend to fit more snugly, so consider ordering a quarter to a half size larger in this instance.

Tips and Tricks

Ammonia

Most people use ammonia to clean their floors, but it also works well to clean diamonds without harming them. Take the fourth cup of ammonia and one full cup of warm water and mix them in a jar or a bowl. Place your diamonds into the jar or bowl and allow them to sit for about 15 minutes. After your jewelry soaks, take a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently scrub the jewelry to remove any grime that remains.

Make sure to get into the setting and crevices on the piece because grime and dirt can stick in these areas. After you are done the cleaning, just rinse the piece with plain water and use a soft cloth to dry it completely.

Vinegar & Diatomaceous Earth

Vinegar can clean just about anything, but it is especially great for gemstones and gold.

You want to use white vinegar and not any other kind, so make a note of this. Just pour white vinegar into a jar or a bowl and use enough to cover the jewelry you are cleaning completely.

Allow your jewelry to soak for about 15 minutes and move it around every couple of minutes to agitate it. Once it is done soaking, take a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently scrub your jewelry to remove residue and stuck on grime. Rinse with plain water and then dry it completely.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a very effective jewelry cleaner, and this is a great option when you want to clean up your jewelry on the go.

Take a tablespoon of warm water and an inch of toothpaste and mix these together for a loose paste.

This is mildly abrasive, so it works direct and grime off of the jewelry, and you can combine it with a soft-bristled toothbrush for extra scrubbing.

While toothpaste is mildly abrasive, it will not scratch your jewelry. Rinse well once you are done.

Boil Your Jewelry

Not all jewelry can be boiled, such as delicate gemstones, but solid gold can be. Make sure that nothing is glued on and that the gold is not cold before putting it into boiling water. This is best left for those pieces that are not cleaned by anything else.

Place your jewelry into a bowl and slowly pour the boiled water over it and keep pouring very slowly until the jewelry is fully covered by the water. Allow this to sit until the water cools and then gently scrub each piece with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Dry thoroughly once you are done.

Antacids

Those antacids you take for heartburn can also work to keep your jewelry sparkling clean.

You want to use the antacids (just like witch hazel) that work as an effervescent solution because the fizzling and bubbling work to clean the jewelry.

Take a glass of warm water and put two tablets into it and allow it to get fizzy.

Place your jewelry into the glass and let it sit for a couple of minutes before removing your jewelry.

Once done, simply rinse your jewelry and gently dry with a soft cloth.

Aluminum Foil

Tarnished silver jewelry responds well to aluminum foil. It is the perfect way to clean silver at home.

Take a tray and line it with a clean piece of foil and then spread your jewelry out on the tray.

Take some baking soda and sprinkle it onto each piece of jewelry so that each piece of mildly coated. Next, boil a few cups of water and then gently pour this onto the jewelry with the baking soda on them.

The purpose of the foil is to collect the tarnish from the jewelry because it picks it up and off of the jewelry.

Use this technique together with a good homemade jewelry cleaner and your silver will shine again. It is a good idea to do one side of your jewelry, turn it over and then do the other side so that it is evenly clean. Once you are done, use warm water to rinse well and then gently dry it.

Soap and Water

Good old-fashioned soap and water work well on jewelry like it does on everything else to remove dirt and grime.

This is ideal for stones that are porous and soft, such as turquoise or pearls.

Simply combine two cups of warm water and about three drops of gentle laundry detergent or dish soap.

Quickly dip the jewelry into the solution and then use a soft cloth to gently wipe and dry your jewelry.