Did your significant other recently propose to you with a beautiful engagement ring? If so, you are probably overwhelmed with joy and excitement. It's also likely that you have a few questions about engagement ring care and cleaning. An engagement ring is a valuable piece of jewelry, and it requires extra love and attention.
Taking good care of your engagement ring will help it last a long time, even if you wear it every day. Proper engagement ring care is especially critical if you wish to maintain its value and hand the ring down as a family heirloom. There are a few simple rules to keep your engagement ring safe and gorgeous for many years. In this post, we will show you how to care for your engagement ring and maintain its stunning beauty for a lifetime and beyond.
Engagement Ring Care Tips
In general, taking care of your engagement ring is easy and does not require a lot of time or effort. Let's look at the ways to protect your engagement ring from damage or loss so you can enjoy your glittering symbol of love every time you look at your hand.
1. Get Insurance for Your Engagement Ring
The first step to taking excellent care of your engagement ring is to get it insured as soon as possible. Your engagement ring, no matter how much it cost, is highly valuable to you and your significant other. The ideal insurance policy will cover the ring if it is ever lost, damaged or stolen. It will also give you peace of mind.
If you have a homeowner's insurance policy, it may cover your ring with a limit. For example, if a burglar breaks in and steals your engagement ring, you should be covered. However, homeowner's insurance likely will not cover your ring if you accidentally damage it or drop it down the drain. Therefore, it may be a good idea to purchase an insurance policy specifically for your engagement ring. Generally, you can do one of the following to obtain insurance for your engagement ring:
- Add coverage to your existing homeowner's insurance policy: If your jewelry is more valuable than what your current policy covers, you can raise the coverage. Expect to pay at least one to two percent of the value of your jewelry. For example, if your jewelry is worth $9,000, you will pay around $90 a year to have your jewelry insured.
- Purchase a separate policy: You might purchase jewelry protection coverage to provide a wider range of protection for your engagement ring. Jewelry-specific coverage should protect you against events such as a mysterious disappearance or flood damage, whereas homeowner's insurance may not.
To get insurance, you'll need to describe the engagement ring as appraised by a certified jeweler to the insurance company. At Mountz Jewelers, our certified appraisers can accurately assess your engagement ring, so you know exactly how much it is worth.
Before you choose an insurance policy, ask the following questions to make sure it fits your needs:
- Is the ring covered if you accidentally lose it, or is it only covered if it's stolen?
- Will the insurance company replace the ring with a check or require you to buy a new ring through a particular jeweler?
- Do they cover the full cost of the ring or only part of it?
- If the ring disappears, what proof do you need to provide?
- What circumstances are not covered?
Your engagement ring is an investment, and its value may increase over time if it is properly cared for. Remember to get your engagement ring appraised about every five years or so to make sure your insurance policy covers its increasing value.
2. Remove Your Engagement Ring When Necessary
In some situations, you will want to remove your engagement ring to protect it from damage. Here are a few occasions when you should consider removing your ring:
- Before heavy cleaning or working with harsh chemicals: When it's time to wash dishes or scrub the bathtub, you'll want to remove your engagement ring. Working with chemicals can damage the ring's metal and the porous surface of certain gemstones. Also, if your hands are soapy while washing the dishes, you run the risk of losing the ring in the drain.
- Before applying lotion: Remove your engagement ring any time you plan to put on a thick cream or lotion to avoid buildup in the ring.
- Before certain physical activities: Any time you engage in an activity that could potentially damage the ring, such as playing a sport or moving furniture, you'll want to be safe and remove your engagement ring first.
- Before swimming: If you are about to dive into a pool, it's best to remove your engagement ring for a couple of reasons. First, cold water can cause your fingers to shrink, which means your ring might slip off when you least expect it. Secondly, the chlorine in the pool water may be too harsh for delicate jewelry.
- Before sleeping: It might be a good idea to remove your engagement before going to sleep, to avoid accidentally bumping it against the wall or headboard. Keep it a safe place in the room and make ring removal part of your bedtime routine.
- Before showering: Try to remember to remove your engagement ring before showering, to prevent soap buildup or contact with materials that could affect the ring's luster.
3. Store Your Engagement Ring Safely
When you remove your engagement ring before washing the dishes or heading to the gym, make sure you put it somewhere safe. In other words, resist placing your ring on the ledge above the sink where it could easily get knocked off and slip down the drain. Instead, place your ring in a secure location such as a drawer until you can put it back on. If you remove your engagement ring often or for long periods, consider storing it in a steadfast safe or a hiding spot. You might consider storing your engagement ring in a lockable jewelry box to keep your treasure safe and secure.
Also, keep your engagement ring separate from other jewelry or in an individual soft pouch. Diamonds are the hardest natural material on earth. However, this also means that diamonds can cut other diamonds. To avoid scratching, keep jewelry apart.
4. Do Not Remove Your Engagement Ring in Public
It may be tempting to remove your engagement ring in a public bathroom, for example, but the risk of losing the ring or leaving it behind is too high to be worth it. It is safer to keep the ring on your finger, even while washing your hands. If you plan to be out all day, consider placing the ring on a quality necklace chain to keep it safe while you're away from home.
5. Place Ring Dishes Around the House
A ring dish keeps your engagement ring contained and prevents it from falling out of sight. Place ring dishes around your home, especially in areas where you frequently remove your engagement ring. For example, you might place a ring dish on the nightstand in the bedroom, at the bathroom sink and the kitchen sink. As a bonus, a pretty ring dish adds a decorative touch to a room.
6. Avoid Resizing Your Engagement Ring Too Many Times
Sometimes it's necessary to get a ring resized. For example, if your significant other purchased an engagement ring that is not the correct ring size, you may have to take it to a jeweler. Resizing an engagement ring can make it possible to wear the ring comfortably every day, but it should only be done when it is necessary. At Mountz Jewelers, our goldsmiths and jewelers can resize your engagement ring and make sure it's the perfect fit.
Rings are delicate, so resizing a ring too many times when it is not needed increases the chance something could go wrong. If you are going through a temporary change, such as pregnancy, store the ring in a safe place until you can wear it again. It is common for pregnant women to experience swelling in their hands during their pregnancy and a few weeks after giving birth, but the swelling eventually goes away. That's why it is sometimes better to wait to slip your engagement ring back on rather than get it resized.
7. Avoid Touching the Center Gemstone
A diamond's brilliant sparkle can be irresistible, and you may want to feel its smooth glassy surface. However, you'll want to avoid touching the gemstone in your engagement ring at all costs. If you touch the diamond, your body's natural oil will adhere to its surface, and this will lead to dirt and dust buildup. So, to keep your engagement ring diamond sparkling, try not to touch it with your fingers.
8. Wear Your Engagement Ring Mindfully
Diamonds are tough, but they are not indestructible. Try to be mindful of your engagement ring at all times to avoid knocking it against furniture or other objects which could cause damage. With that said, we understand accidents happen sometimes. If you notice the diamond is loose in the setting, stop in at Mountz Jewelers, and we will take care of you.
9. Put Your Jewelry on Last
Try to put your jewelry on after you've gotten dressed and applied makeup. This way, you'll be less likely to catch the ring on a piece of clothing or get makeup on it.
10. Visit Your Jeweler for Maintenance
Your engagement ring is a high-value item which you likely wear a lot, so you'll want to take it to the jeweler now and then to ensure it stays in great shape. Strive to visit your jeweler at least once a year so they can check the prongs of the setting and make sure the diamond is firmly in place. If you notice any chips in the surface of the gemstone or looseness in the setting, take it to your jeweler right away. At Mountz Jewelers, you can trust our jewelers will use the latest technology to repair and restore your engagement ring as needed.
Engagement Ring Cleaning Tips
You can keep your engagement ring dazzling on your finger by cleaning it regularly. Regular cleaning helps remove dirt, soap, lotion and any other material that may have built up over time. You'll enjoy the brilliance of a shining ring by keeping it clean, and it does not require a lot of effort.
1. Clean Your Engagement Ring at Home
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) recommends cleaning your diamond once or twice a week. However, any time your engagement ring gets dirty, you should clean it, which can easily happen if you wear it every day. Take the following simple steps to clean your engagement ring in minutes:
- Add a few drops of mild dish soap, not dishwasher detergent, to warm water.
- Soak your ring in the soap and water solution for a few minutes.
- Remove the ring from the solution.
- Use a soft, new toothbrush to remove any dirt from the ring in places that are hard to reach, like the back of the diamond.
- Scrub gently with the toothbrush.
- Make sure the sink drain is closed and rinse your ring with water, or you can rinse the ring in a glass of water.
- Dry your engagement ring with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Some gemstones require extra caution during cleaning. According to the International Gem Society (IGS), you'll want to clean pearls, malachites and turquoise in the following ways:
- Pearls: If there are any pearls in your engagement ring, do not dip the ring into a liquid. Instead, wipe the ring with a damp, soft cloth and use a mild soap solution with a rag to remove any stains.
- Malachite: Malachite is a gorgeous dark green stone, but it is very sensitive to heat. If you have a malachite engagement ring, use cool water, mild detergent and a soft brush to clean it.
- Turquoise: Turquoise is a very porous gem, so you want to avoid cleaning it with a soap or cleaning solution as this can penetrate the surface and affect the color. Instead, wipe turquoise with a damp cloth and then immediately wipe it dry with a clean, soft cloth.
As a general rule, avoid using any harsh cleaning chemicals such as bleach or household cleaners on your engagement ring.
2. Use a Professional Jewelry Cleaning Service
Even though you should clean your engagement ring regularly at home, it's recommended to take the ring to your jeweler for a deep cleaning at least twice a year. A professional will use special cleaning techniques to thoroughly clean your engagement ring and make it look like new. Also, most jewelers offer free cleaning services as part of a lifetime warranty, so you can get your ring back to its jaw-dropping condition without having to pay.
Contact Mountz Jewelers Today
If you have any questions about cleaning your engagement ring or are worried it may need a repair, reach out to us at Mountz Jewelers. At Mountz, we offer customers free jewelry cleaning and inspection for life. We care that your engagement ring looks just as gorgeous as it did the day it left our showroom, and we want you to feel comfortable asking questions or expressing any concerns you may have about your jewelry.
If your engagement ring needs attention, our in-house jewelry experts possess the skills and knowledge to make your ring shine brilliantly again. Keep your engagement ring singing its song of love, and contact us today for a cleaning, repair, inspection or appraisal. If you would like to browse our selection of fine jewelry, visit us at one of our three locations in central Pennsylvania. Trust your special moments to Mountz!