How to Care for Your Engagement Ring at Home
Your engagement ring is probably the most special piece of jewelry you own. Properly caring for your ring will keep it looking like it did the day you said ‘yes!’
There is a lot of information out there about how to care for and clean engagement rings, specifically diamond rings. Here are our top tips for keeping your ring safe and sparkling for decades to come.
Keeping Your Engagement Ring Secure
The first thing you should do to protect your ring is insure it. Your homeowners insurance policy may cover jewelry, but only up to a certain dollar amount. Be sure to check this amount and adjust it, if necessary, so your ring is covered.
To be completely safe, we recommend an insurance policy specifically for your ring. It will cover your ring in the event that your homeowners insurance doesn’t. In addition, your homeowners insurance will likely only cover theft of your ring from your home. Insuring your engagement ring protects it against nearly anything that could result in damage or loss. You’ll want to get it insured as soon as possible to lower your risk. JM Edwards is proud to work with your insurance provider in the event you need to replace a lost or stolen ring.
Store your ring in a cloth-lined jewelry box when you’re not wearing it. If you’re going out of town and decide not to take your ring, store it in an inconspicuous spot (most burglars will go straight for a jewelry box) or in a locked safe.
How to Take Care of Your Diamond Engagement Ring
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to any diamond ring, but especially your engagement ring:
Know When to Take Your Ring Off
You’ll want to wear your engagement ring 24/7, but in certain situations, it’s safer to remove it.
Avoid wearing your ring when you’re cleaning or doing dishes. Cleaning chemicals can be harsh and will do serious damage to the band and the stone (diamonds are tough, but they’re not invincible). Wearing your ring when doing the dishes carries the risk of it slipping off and possibly going down the drain.
You’ll also want to take your ring off when you’re working out, swimming, or doing any strenuous physical activity. Strenuous activities can damage the prongs in your ring, making it easy for a stone to fall out. And with swimming, cold temperatures can cause your fingers to shrink in size. This can cause your ring to slip right off your finger.
Take Your Ring to The Jeweler Once a Year
We highly recommend scheduling annual maintenance appointments with your jeweler to make sure the prongs and stones are tight.
If you have a white gold engagement ring, this appointment is a great time to get your ring dipped with the rhodium plating that gives white gold that luster. If your ring is yellow gold or platinum, your jeweler can polish it to make it sparkle again.
Clean Your Ring Every 2-3 Months
It doesn’t matter how careful you are, your ring is bound to start looking a little dull now and then. The oils from your hands and everyday dirt build up on your right, making it look drab. No worries! A good cleaning, whether professional or at-home, will get it looking like new again.
How to Clean a Diamond Ring
If you can’t bring your ring to us for a cleaning, it’s very easy to clean your engagement ring at home! Jewelry cleaner is available at almost any store, but even if you don’t have any, you can still clean your ring with just water, a mild soap or dish detergent, and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add a few drops of your detergent. Mix the solution with the toothbrush and drop in your ring. Let it sit in the soapy solution for 10 minutes so it has a chance to break down the oil and grime.
Remove your ring from the water and gently clean it with the brush. Place it back into the bowl of water and continue brushing it to get off any dirt or grime you’ve loosened up. Carefully rinse it with clean running water.
Contact JM Edwards For Jewelry Care
Make JM Edwards your one-stop engagement ring shop in the Triangle. From designing your perfect ring to taking care of it for years to come, we’re here for you. Schedule a consultation with one of our ring experts or see us for a cleaning today!
