A sparkly clean engagement ring is a sight to behold and it is your job to ensure that it stays this way, hence, making it important to know how to take care of your engagement ring. After all, this ring is the physical representation of your partner’s love and undying commitment. In return, you must give it the proper care it deserves, so it will never stop putting a smile on your face whenever you glance at your ring finger. When it comes to the subject of learning how to care for your engagement ring, we are not only talking about keeping it bright and shiny. You also need to ensure that it remains durable throughout the years.
Many people think that just because they have diamonds on their engagement rings that they won’t break. Diamonds are sturdy, sure enough, and they last a long time. However, without the right maintenance, they can become less attractive. Moreover, durability does not mean being completely indestructible. While we hate to be the bearers of bad news, your diamond will get cleaved and chipped when banged repeatedly. This is even more true for non-diamond engagement rings.
Do you Wear Your Engagement Ring Every Day?
Before we proceed to the care instructions, let us first talk about the ideal frequency of use. Next to your wedding band, the engagement ring is the second most constant thing on your finger. However, you don’t have to wear it every waking moment. The deal is engagement rings have a more fragile structure compared to wedding rings. The stones pose a greater risk. Therefore, removing it every once in a while is one of the most crucial steps in taking care of your engagement ring. Taking off your ring in the following instances can swerve you off disasters.
- Working out at the gym. Well, actually. it does have to be just at the gym. Doing physical exercises, in general, is not good for your engagement ring. Too many movements in short intervals can loosen the gemstones in it. Sweat can likewise further damage the band while oils can attract dirt.
- Housecleaning. Another activity with a lot of movements is also risky business for your ring. Working on hard surfaces can lead to knocks and dents, but that’s not even the bad part. Cleaning chemicals are very toxic and they can destroy your ring upon contact. Always remove the ring, even when wearing gloves.
- Swimming. When you go swimming at the beach or at the pool, there is a huge chance your ring will slip off. This is because your fingers shrink when in colder water for so long.
- Cooking. Cooking makes your hands slippery with oil and sticky with different substances. Both of which are bad for your ring. Make it a habit to remove your ring when you are cooking, especially when baking. Flour and fatty food products create long-lasting damage to your ring.
- Sleeping. There is just no point in sleeping with engagement ring on. Bedsheets, pillowcases, and pajamas are delicate. If you are not careful, the rocks on your ring might damage them. Additionally, there is a chance that you might snag your ring on the fabric. Prop your ring down on your bedside table while you catch a good night’s sleep.
Knowing when to take off your engagement ring is an integral part of the maintenance process. We understand that you want to don it at all times, but why not just wear it when necessary? There are plenty of other occasions you could show it off, such as celebrations, at your workplace, etc. Don’t risk it during the abovementioned activities or you might end up with regret.
Is it Important to Get a Ring Insurance?
One fool-proof way to free your mind from stressing over your ring is to get it insured. Many women refrain from doing this for fear of the complexity of the process. However, it is much more straightforward than you think.
Initially, check the insurance company’s requirement list. Some companies consider receipts a decent enough documentation for the ring’s value. If not, head to a gemologist to obtain an appraisal for your ring. He or she will give you documentation that cites how much the ring costs. For insurance companies, it matters that you get the insurance process underway as soon as possible. Check if you and your partner’s renters or homeowners policy can cover the ring. Otherwise, you need to take out additional insurance to cover it.
Jewelry insurance costs vary, but it will mostly depend on the insurance company and its coverage. To give you an idea, usual insurance will require you to pay up to $2 for every hundred of the ring’s replacement value. An insured engagement ring won’t leave you worked up about damages or loss. But, who knows? Maybe your future spouse has taken care of that for you.
Okay, now that we have this important part done and over with, let us talk about how to take care of an engagement ring and keep its elegance and brilliance for years and years to come.
How to Clean an Engagement Ring
Cleaning your ring needs to be done every couple of weeks. Additionally, it has a couple of do’s and don’ts that are completely non-negotiable. It is important to know what you are doing, so refrain from experimenting. This means no cleaning your ring with random cleaners you find at home. The best way is to go to a jeweler to get it steamed. However, not everyone can afford to take a ring to a jeweler every time it needs maintenance. Here are some trusted home remedies and tips recommended by experts:
- Do not use harsh cleaning materials such as acetone, chlorine, and bleach, but there is no need to get fancy products.
- Put warm water in a small bowl and add a drop of dishwashing detergent. Mix it a bit, then drop your ring into the bowl. Soak it for 15 minutes. This method is brilliant in removing dirt and other substances that have adhered well to your ring. After its warm bath, turn the tap on and run it underneath. Flip it around to ensure that the water reaches all parts.
- For more intensive cleaning, you can use acidic substances such as white vinegar or witch hazel as a soaking solution. They clean deeper without harming your engagement ring. It is a big bonus that the process is also quicker. You only need to soak your ring for more or less five minutes.
- You can use an old toothbrush to scrub around the stone. You need to do it with care, especially at the bottom.
Regular cleaning can help you to maintain the ring’s quality without breaking the bank. However, it is still highly recommended that you go see the jeweler for in-depth cleaning at least once a year.
How to Not Lose Engagement Ring
Engagement rings are precious. But no matter how much we try monitoring them, unforeseen circumstances can arise. Losing an engagement ring is heart-breaking. Follow the following tips to prevent this from ever happening to you.
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Never remove your ring when you are in public.
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Place ring dishes around the house.
Ring dishes are lifesavers.
Strategically place ring dishes all over your house in areas where you always remove your ring. You can place one on your nightstand, by the kitchen sink, or at your home gym, to name a few. One important place you absolutely need to have a ring dish in is the bathroom. Because if you are wondering if it is OK to shower with your engagement ring, it is absolutely not. The shower is not a safe place for your engagement rings at all. The ring slips off easily when you are covered in suds. And when it does, there is the possibility that it will fall down the drain. Furthermore, soaps and other bath products can make the stone on your ring appear dull. Worse, if you use exfoliating products, these can leave tiny scratches on the surface.
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Remove your engagement ring when you do rigorous activities.
When should I take off my engagement ring? This is a question most engaged women ask. We have listed some activities above that forbid the use of an engagement ring, such as working out and swimming. So, you better not be hitting the treadmill wearing your bling.
What Should You Not Do With Your Engagement Ring?
There are some things you should avoid doing with your engagement ring to prolong its quality. Yes, it is made of high-grade materials, but you should never overestimate its durability.
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Refrain from touching the center stone.
No matter how fascinated you are by its beauty, avoid toying with the stone. Precious stones like diamonds love dust and dirt. These unwanted pollutants will render the stone dull and cloudy. Even when you take off the ring, make sure you carefully do so while avoiding the stone. Grab the sides of the band and pull. Hazy stones are an indication that something is trapped underneath. You might need to visit a jeweler ASAP.
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Do not test its durability.
Women who receive diamond engagement rings often think that what they have in their possession will never break. Constant wear and tear can ruin your ring for good. So treat it gently and stop banging it against dense materials.
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Do not forget to do prong checks.
Prong checks differ from the annual cleaning trip to the jeweler. This is essential to monitoring the condition of your ring. You could also check the prongs on your own. Do a visual check and see if there are shorter prongs. Also, conduct a soundcheck. Put the ring in between your fingers, shake it while holding it near your ear. If it doesn’t produce a sound, you have nothing to worry about. Otherwise, it is a sign that the ring needs tightening.
Should You Resize Your Engagement Ring?
Before you decide to change your ring size, make sure that you have tested if the right one is not the right fit. Factors like temperature changes, traveling, or weight gain or weight loss can all contribute to why your ring no longer fits as well. A good rule of thumb to jump the gun is when you notice that your ring is either too tight or too loose the whole year-round. However, be careful who you turn to for resizing. Request that the signature be kept intact.
Wrapping Up
There is no single answer to “How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring?” but the answers are pretty easy to do. Certain activities such as sleeping, exercising, cooking, and doing chores don’t require you to don your ring. However, taking off engagement ring when mad is not one of them. Make sure to keep your ring safe at all times by getting insurance and implementing methods to locate it with ease should you remove it from your finger.
Should you want to learn more on how to make your jewelry piece last, read our guide “Making It Last: The Do’s and Don’ts in Wearing Jewelry.”