Tips to care for your engagement ring, coming right up!
Once we are engaged, and have gorgeous engagement rings on our hands, it can be an after thought to actually care for them. I mean, most people know that the ring should be cleaned once in a while (we definitely want those gems to sparkle), but what do we need to do beyond that? Well, it turns out, there are both right and wrong ways to take care of your engagement ring.
The great news is once you know, you know. And, sometimes taking care of your engagement ring just means that you don’t do the wrong thing. More on that later. The moral of the story is that if you are aware of what to do, and what not to do, your ring will last longer and stay more beautiful than if you don’t take care of it properly.
How To Care For Your Engagement Ring
This post is going to share with you the right ways to take care of your engagement ring. I promise that none of them are that complicated. And, in most cases, the jeweler that you purchase your ring from can help you. When in doubt, ask someone who knows your ring, and you’ll be set.
Let’s get into it.
GET INSURANCE FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. When you get engaged, look into ring insurance.
The number one thing you can do to take care of your engagement ring is to make sure that if something does happen to it, it can be replaced. Often, the price of insurance is less than a cup of coffee each month. And, it can cover your ring being stolen, broken, or lost.
Of course, not all rings can be replaced (for example, family heirlooms), but chances are, yours can. So, start calling your car or home insurance and see if this is a service they offer. Or, look into if the ring that you have comes with a lifetime insurance policy.
PREVENT HAVING YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING GET STOLEN OR LOST
Alright, so even if you have insurance, you still need to take preventative measures to make sure your ring doesn’t get stolen or lost.
For starters, think about where you put your engagement ring when you take it off. I suggest having a safe, hidden space for your ring when you’re not wearing it. It’s a lot easier to have a ring stolen when it’s not being worn, so never take it off where others can just grab it.
While we’re on the subject of rings getting stolen, use your common sense when you wear your ring out of your home. If you’ll be headed somewhere that may be a little sketch, maybe don’t wear your ring. Or, if you’re headed somewhere where you know you’ll take your ring off (like a gym or pool), don’t bring your ring.
When it comes to losing your ring, the best thing to do is to always put your ring in a specific location when you take it off. Even if it’s inconvenient, just do it. And, always make a mental note (or real note) about where you placed your ring, especially if you hid it somewhere.
TAKE OFF YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING DURING CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
I touched on this in the previous tip, but I’ll go into it further here. When you are doing certain activities, it’s best to just take your ring off.
These could be activities where your hands will get dirty. For example, you may be kneading bread, playing playdoh with a small child, or going on a hike that is bound to be a bit muddy. All of these activities can cause your ring to collect debris and get very dirty.
Additionally, take off your ring when you’ll be doing something that could cause it harm. If there is a chance it will get banged up, take it off and put it somewhere safe. Examples of this could be when you clean dishes, move furniture, or lift weights. Of course, gloves can help protect your ring, but you need to make sure the gloves are the right kind.
ALWAYS PLACE YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING IN A SAFE (AND MEMORABLE) PLACE
Wow, I feel like I’m repeating myself a lot in this post! Maybe it’s because I want to drive certain points home.
When you take off your ring, put it in a place that is safe, somewhat hidden or inconspicuous, and memorable. This means that it’s not in a place where it can be moved by someone else, or stolen very quickly. Rings are small, and easy to swipe if we’re not paying attention.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier, remember where you put your ring. This is easy if you always take off your ring and put it in the same spot, over and over. However, it can be tempting to remove your ring and put it somewhere new. You may even hide it. The hiding spot may be so good, you hid it from yourself. This is never fun. So, take a note, take a photo, and do whatever you need to do, if you take off your ring and hide it.
CARE FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING BY NOT MESSING WITH YOUR RING’S STONES
Most engagement rings have gemstones in them, of varying sizes. A good rule of thumb is to avoid messing around with them, unless you know exactly what you are doing.
What does messing around with the stone mean, exactly? Well, it can be as simple as touching them too much. Body oil can cause the gemstones to look dirty. And, oil can attract dirt or dust that gets trapped around the ring. It’s not a pretty look.
If you happen to have a ring with a loose stone, don’t touch it. Put the ring in a safe place until you can have a ring professional take a look at it.
CARE FOR YOUR ENAGEMENT RING BY CLEANING IT AS DIRECTED
This tip is a bit of a misleader, as most engagement rings are not meant for the wearer to clean them.
Yes, some people think that they are taking care of their engagement ring by going to town on it with soap and a toothbrush. However. Unless the ring manufacturer recommends that, I wouldn’t clean my ring that way. In general, you want to avoid home cleanings, and instead, take your ring to a jeweler who knows what they are doing. In fact, if possible, you should take it back to the jeweler who sold you the ring. They will have the right tools to get your ring super sparkly.
As for cadence, most rings should be cleaned every few months, but this can vary. The good news is that this is usually a zero-cost cleaning.
TAKE YOUR ENAGEMENT RING IN FOR PERIODIC INSPECTIONS
If you’re taking your engagement ring in for regular cleanings, this tip should be easy to follow through with.
Just like with a car, a garden, or anything else that requires a bit of maintenance, you should have your jeweler take a look at your ring from time to time. They will make sure that the stones are stable, the band isn’t bent, and any damage can be fixed. And, this is likely a service that they will do free of charge.
HAVE WHITE GOLD BANDS PERIODICALLY DIPPED
This tip only applies if you have a white gold band.
White gold has rhodium plating that should be maintained. If it’s not, the ring can lose some of it’s color and luster. So, a professional should periodically re-dip your band to make sure it’s as beautiful and bright as the day you received it. The general recommendation is that this is done every few years. And, just like with cleaning and inspections, this is usually free of charge.
BEWARE OF RESIZING YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING
If our bodies are changing sizes, our hands and fingers may be affected as well. It can be tempting to have a ring resized if it doesn’t fit quite like it used to. A ring that is too tight is uncomfortable and can get stuck, and a ring that is too big can slip off easily and become lost. Neither is ideal.
However, there are caveats to resizing a ring.
The more a band is messed with, changing the shape and diameter of it, the more the metal can be compromised. And, this can make it more susceptible to damage in the long run. So, even if you gain or lose weight, or get pregnant, or whatever the reason, be careful about having your engagement ring resized. When in doubt, take a break from your ring, or think about getting a new band altogether.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Alright friends. There are common sense ways to take care of your engagement ring. Most of them won’t cost you a dime, and all you have to do is be intentional with how you treat your ring. When in doubt, consult a jeweler for cleaning, treating, and maintaining your ring. And, always make sure you put it in a safe, memorable place when you take it off. Happy wedding planning (and beyond!)
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