Because your engagement ring is such an important piece of jewelry, proper ring care should be a top priority after your significant other pops the question. After all, you've spent months, perhaps years, dreaming of the perfect engagement ring, so now that it's a permanent fixture on your left hand, you'll want to ensure it stays just as shiny and sparkly for many years to come. This ring is meant to last a lifetime, so it pays to give it the best treatment possible. Here are a few do's and don'ts on how to take care of your engagement ring.
Don't Remove Your Ring in Public
Hand washing is a must in a public restroom but resist the temptation to remove your engagement ring while you're lathering up.
Don't Touch the Center Stone
Wondering how to take care of your diamond engagement ring? Avoid touching the center stone, the precious stones are magnets for dirt, dust and body oil. If your stone ever looks hazy or cloudy, it’s likely something is stuck underneath it.
Do Keep Your Ring Clean
Cleaning your gems or diamonds with random cleaners at home is something we do not recommend. You can take a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water and gently brush the ring. However, taking your diamond ring to your jeweler to get it properly steamed clean would be our recommendation.
Don't Treat Your Ring with Harsh Chemicals
Remove your ring when cleaning or touching harsh chemicals. Bleach and other cleaning agents can dull the finish of a ring and actually harm porous colored gemstones like emeralds. Also, remove your ring when going swimming or in the hot tub.
Don't Put Your Ring Through Needless Wear and Tear
A diamond is one of the world's hardest natural materials, but that doesn't mean a cut and polished diamond cannot chip.
Sometimes the table of a cut diamond can be susceptible to wear and tear. Be sure not to knock it against other hard materials.
Do Remove Your Ring During Hands-On Activities
Make sure you’re taking off your ring during all hand-heavy activities (yes yogis, this includes yoga).
We advise against gardening, cleaning dishes, moving furniture, and exercising while wearing your engagement ring. Of course, you can use these rules on a case by case basis with good judgment.
Do Schedule Monthly Maintenance Appointments with Arthur's Jewelers
It is very important to schedule maintenance appointments with us at least twice a year to make sure the prongs are tight, the diamond isn't loose and there are no hairline cracks in the shank.
Do Get a Pre-Wedding Professional Clean
Your wedding right around the corner? Bring in your wedding rings to have them professionally cleaned. We will polish, use the steamers, sonic cleaners and more; so, take full advantage of those tools for your big day photos. Just hold off on wearing them until the big day itself to maintain an ultra-clean, high-sparkle look.
Do Keep Ring Dishes Around the House
We recommend a little ring dish bedside, one next to your sink in the bathroom, and one in the kitchen, your home is the safest place to remove your ring.
Do Professionally Clean 14K White Gold
If you have a 14K or 18K white gold engagement ring, your setting will look a little warm with time and wear; but you can make it look brand new again by dropping it off with us to have it rhodium plated. Every time you scratch the surface of 14K white gold, it removes the white gold from that scratch; thus, after some time, it can have a bit of a yellow tone to it. Again, this is an easy fix with which we can assist you.
Do Purchase Insurance
Insurance is necessary to protect your financial investment in the event that something gets lost, stolen or damaged. We recommend Jewelers Mutual Insurance.
