Taking good care of your engagement ring will ensure that it continues to sparkle and bring you joy for years to come. From how to carry and store your ring, to cleaning and maintaining it, and knowing when to take it off, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to keep your ring protected, shiny and bright.
How to Care for Your Engagement Ring
One of the first things you should do is buy engagement ring insurance. Jewelry insurance is available in four ways: under your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, through your homeowner’s or renter’s policy with a jewelry addition, as a specific property policy, or through a specialized jewelry policy. Your bridal set and any valuable jewelry should be insured and re-appraised every 3-5 years.
Make sure that your ring fits well for both comfort and security. A band that’s too big will cause your ring to spin which can damage it over time and is also in danger of sliding off and being lost. You’ll want to take your ring off when doing hand-heavy activities like gardening or moving furniture and during vigorous exercise. Especially if you have a more delicate ring or one with micro pavé stones, you’ll want to be careful what you expose it to.
It’s fine to leave your ring on while washing your hands, especially out in public where you could accidentally forget it on the sink, but you’ll want to avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, hand sanitizer, lotion and beauty products. When you’re sliding your ring off or picking it up, make sure to grab it by the band and not the center stone. Avoid taking a shower with your ring on, and although it’s personal preference, you might not want to wear it to bed.
You’ll want to clean and inspect your ring regularly. Depending on your setting, check the prongs, stones and band and have your ring professionally checked and cleaned once or twice a year. You’ll likely want to clean your ring at home once a month to remove built up oil and dirt to keep your ring brilliant instead of dull. When you’re not wearing your ring, store it safely in a designated spot; keeping ring dishes around your house in areas like the kitchen and bathroom is an easy way to protect your ring without losing track of it.
How to Clean Your Diamond Engagement Ring
It’s a good idea to take a few moments once a month to clean your diamond engagement ring. If you have other gemstones on your ring that may require different care like an emerald, make sure to consult your jeweler to ensure the stone is cared for properly. You can easily clean your engagement ring at home by the following steps.
- Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add a drop of mild dish detergent. Stir the water and detergent and place your ring into the soapy water for 10 minutes to break down any oily residue.
- Remove your ring and clean it with a soft bristle brush, gently scrubbing each side, especially the edges and the back of the ring.
- Put your ring back into the bowl of water and detergent and continue brushing to wash off any loosened dirt and grime.
- Plug your drain and rinse your engagement ring with clean running water.
- Use a lint-free cloth to dry your ring, or let it air dry and wipe it with a cloth to remove any water marks.
There’s no material difference between lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds, so follow the same cleaning routine on matter which type you have. Always avoid using bleach and other abrasive chemicals when cleaning your jewelry which could damage your ring. If you’re not confident in cleaning the ring yourself, just bring it to your jeweler.
When you’re not wearing your ring, be sure to store it in its own cloth bag or ring box to keep it from being scratched and also scratching other pieces of jewelry. If you’re going to store your ring for a while (while on vacation for example) it’s best to clean it first to prevent debris from getting encrusted into the setting.
If you have questions about caring for your ring, give us a call at 303-385-8449 or click here to schedule an appointment.