Without question, engagement rings are treasured assets for anyone who owns one. Since it carries sentimental and monetary significance, it’s precious and should be well cared for. Even if you have had your ring for decades, it’s never too late to know how to take care of it better.
Make Your Engagement Ring Last
Caring for your engagement ring isn’t complicated. However, it’s crucial to preserve the beauty and durability of the ring. Additionally, it helps in ensuring that its precious stones don’t fall off.
While diamonds are very durable, they’re not indestructible. So, it’s essential to ensure that you always take care of them, especially if you have delicate-looking ones like those radiant cut engagement rings. To help you make your ring last longer, here are some care tips we recommend.
1. Purchase Engagement Ring Insurance
Insurance is essential to safeguard your investment against loss, theft, or damage. Given the substantial cost of engagement rings, purchasing insurance is an intelligent decision. Insurance for engagement jewelry may be obtained by applying a supplement to an existing policy that specifically lists the items.
You can also purchase a new insurance policy specific to jewelry. (1) But before that, appoint a qualified appraiser to check and evaluate your ring. Then, consider a few different insurance plans before deciding on the one that’s suitable for you.
2. Routine Cleaning is a Must
The phrase “diamonds are forever” has helped popularize diamonds. Specific cuts are also more popular than the others like Asscher cut diamonds that became popular years ago and remain so now. This stone is of excellent grade, with a D color and a clarity of VVS2. (2)
However, it’s pointless to have an exquisitely cut diamond if it’s going to be filthy because of dirt and oil. Your diamond will look dull if you fail to clean it regularly. Fortunately, cleaning your ring doesn’t need a lot of time or effort. Follow these steps for cleaning your ring safely.
- Prepare a soap and water solution. Mix a small amount of dish soap and warm water and make some suds by gently stirring the mixture.
- Next, soak the ring in the solution for 15 minutes. Allow the solution to clean the ring and dislodge any filth, dust, and grime.
- Then, remove your ring from the solution. See if there’s any dirt left. If you notice any residue, you have to clean it more thoroughly.
- Lightly scrub your ring with a soft toothbrush to remove excess dirt.
- Rinse the ring under cool running water.
- Finally, allow the ring to dry by placing it on a paper towel or clean cloth.
You can clean your ring quarterly to avoid dirt and oil accumulation. However, if you don’t have time or are unsure how to properly, you can have them cleaned by a professional jeweler. (3)
3. Avoid Sleeping with Your Ring On
It’s equally essential to put your ring away before you sleep. Proper engagement ring maintenance suggests that you don’t sleep with the ring on your finger. While you sleep, your ring can get entangled in your hair or the fibers of your beddings. This may cause your gemstones to become loose and ultimately fall out.
Additionally, it would be best if you dedicated a safe storage place for it. Keeping your engagement ring in the same jewelry box as your other pieces of jewelry may damage the ring or its stones. Given that this is among your most prized possessions provide it with its own box or cover it in a piece of fabric to avoid scratch marks.
4. Limit Ring Resizing
Although you can easily resize your ring, frequent resizing may cause the metal to become more brittle and susceptible to damage. It may also affect the quality of your diamond or gemstones.
There are also essential considerations you have to remember: traveling, seasonal weather shifts, weight changes, and even pregnancy have the potential to alter the fit of your engagement ring. So, think about it before you get it resized. Instead of constantly adjusting your ring, keep it stored away and wait until it fits again.
5. Never Remove Your Ring in Public
Keep your ring on at all times and avoid taking it off in public. At the same time, there’s always the urge to take the ring off, especially when handwashing in a restaurant; it poses too much risk of losing your ring. You’re also at risk of losing or damaging your ring when you’re out for a walk, exercise, or any activity that involves continuous movement.
However, preparation is critical. If you engage in high-intensity activities, you can leave your ring in a secure place at home before heading out. Following these precautions may decrease the likelihood of the ring being misplaced.
Conclusion
Everything with value requires care and maintenance, and your engagement ring is no exception. It’s easy to take care of your engagement ring, and doing so is necessary if you want to keep your ring as shiny and brilliant as when you first had it. Let these tips help you care for your engagement ring so it can last as long as the sentimental value you hold for it.
Resources:
- “Should You Insure Your Wedding Rings?”, Source: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/062615/it-worth-it-insure-my-wedding-ring.asp
- “Diamond Care and Cleaning Guide,” Source: https://www.gia.edu/diamond-care-cleaning
- “Secrets to keeping your diamond sparkling,” Source: https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-secrets-keep-diamond-sparkling