How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring: Dos and Don'ts!
BY Twinkle | 01 Oct, 2019 | 2841 views | 5 min read
Just got engaged? Congratulations! Now begins a whole new phase of life. We know engagement is the first and foremost phase of your marriage journey and that ring is the symbol of your pure and loving bond. So it's obvious to have a lot of questions when you look down at your sparkly new addition.
How do I take care of my engagement ring? Should you wear your engagement ring all the time? What should you not do with your engagement ring? Can I wash my hands with my engagement ring on?
All of these questions are valid & we are here to answer them and more! That’s why we’ve got you a detailed list of dos and donts when it comes to taking care of your beloved engagement ring!
Image via Pradhi and Harshit
Do Know That Sanitizer May Damage Your Ring!
The pandemic has us using sanitizer on a daily basis now. While that is important, it may be damaging your engagement ring. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer will not cause immediate damage but the build-up can cause tarnishing and wear over time and cause the metal to lose its shine. The three metals that you have to be careful with sanitizers are white gold, rose gold and sterling silver! These are more susceptible to tarnishing because of their reaction with chemicals in hand sanitizers. So take off your ring while sanitizing!
Don’t Consider Diamonds As Invincible.
Image via Sonal Sukheeja Photography
Diamonds are one of the toughest things in the world but does that mean that it can’t be damaged? False. They can still fracture, bruise, and chip. So if you have this question - How do I take care of my engagement ring? Bookmark this page now!
Do Store Your Engagement Ring Safely.
If you’re not wearing your ring everyday, or decide to leave it behind when you go vacation, be sure you have a safe spot for your ring. Choose a fabric-lined jewelry box with dividers, so your ring won’t rub against your other jewelry. Consider placing the jewelry case in a lock box or a fireproof safe for extra security.
Don’t Resize Your Ring Regularly
Image via Kauwel and Imran
Your boyfriend (now fiancé!) proposed but the size is a little off? Take into consideration Seasonal changes in temperature, weight fluctuations, and traveling before resizing. Try the ring on at all times of the day and see how it fits. Also, if your ring is from one of the major jewellery houses of the world like Tiffanys, Cartier, Harry Winston, Graff or any major name, make sure that resizing it doesn’t disrupt the signature. It’s crucial!
Do Keep A Regular Check On The Prongs And Settings
Keep a close eye—and ear—on your ring. Have it checked once in two years for any wear and tear from your jewellery and you should be safe!
Do Invest In Ring Dishes!
Image via Etsy
Keep ring dishes throughout your home so that when you do need to take it off, you know exactly where to look. From the bathroom to the kitchen to the bedroom, there will be a designated place for your ring should you need to take it off—because let’s face it: one of the keys to taking care of your new engagement ring is making sure not to lose it!
Don't Remove Your Ring in Public
Hand washing is a must in a public restroom, but resist the temptation to remove your engagement ring while you're lathering up. The possibility that you might leave your ring on the ledge of the sink or, worse, drop it down the drain, is too great of a risk.
Do Regular Cleaning
When you use your ring regularly it is prominent for it to catch up dirt and oil, so there’s no point in having a beautifully cut diamond if it’s going to be dirty.
So clean your ring with hot water, a toothbrush, and gin or take your precious and sentimental engagement ring to an expert jeweller to get it properly steamed cleaned.
Image via @EngagementRings
Do Know When To Leave Your Ring On And Take It Off
A little extra caution goes a long way when storing your diamond ring. If you are more likely to do a lot of household chores which includes hand dirt then we suggest you must remove the ring and keep it somewhere safe to avoid unnecessary stains.
Image via @DiamondBoutique
Don’t Forget Ring Insurance!
Insurance is necessary to protect your financial investment in the event that something gets lost, stolen or damaged. The stone on that ring is very expensive so god forbid if something bad happens you must have a back up which is able to compensate the loss.
Don't Wear The Ring While Slathering Lotion Or Heavy Cream
Thick lotions and creams can leave residue on your ring, making it feel and look dirty. What's worse is that it can be extremely harsh and often discolour the ring, especially if you have a coloured gemstone or your band is made with white gold or platinum.
Image via @SerendipityDiamonds
With proper cleaning, your ring will look brand new, even decades after your wedding.