After a lifetime of searching, you’ve finally found the perfect match – your spouse! But in this case, the conversation is all about your engagement ring.
Many guides will tell you how to take care of your relationship, but what about the ring that symbolises your love? You certainly don’t want to dull its sparkle by scratching, chipping, dirtying, or even worse, losing it. How can you protect this precious emblem of your affection? Read on to learn how to care for your wedding and engagement rings properly.
Your wedding jewellery deserves extra love and attention to remain pristine for years. These rings are among your most treasured possessions, and by following these care guidelines, you can ensure they look as good as the day you exchanged them for the rest of your life.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Caring for your wedding and engagement rings involves taking precautions to protect them from damage during activities like sports, gardening, and cleaning.
Removing your rings during these tasks and storing them safely to prevent scratches or loss is important. Avoid exposing your rings to harsh chemicals in lotions, perfumes, and cleaning products, as these can dull the stones and damage the metal.
To maintain their shine, regularly clean your rings at home with mild soap and water, or opt for professional cleaning services twice a year. In addition to cleaning, check the settings of your rings frequently to ensure the stones remain secure.
Avoid frequent resizing, as this can weaken the metal over time. Insuring your rings offers protection in case of theft, loss, or damage. With proper care and attention, your wedding and engagement rings will retain their beauty and sentimental value for years.
1. Remove Your Ring During Certain Activities
To maintain the beauty of your ring, it’s essential to remove it when engaging in specific activities that may damage or dirty it. These include:
- Sporting activities: Wearing your ring while playing sports can be risky, especially if you’re left-handed and wear a band with stones. Lifting weights, for example, can cause significant damage if a weight slams into your ring.
- Gardening: During heavy yard work, your ring’s setting can get knocked loose, and the stone may fall out.
- Cleaning: Harsh chemicals found in cleaners and soaps can damage your ring. Remove it when washing dishes or doing other household chores.
2. Safekeeping When Not Wearing It
When you remove your ring, it is crucial to store it somewhere safe. Diamonds can scratch other jewellery, so keep your ring in a box, pouch, or a separate compartment in your jewellery case to avoid damaging other items.
Quick Tip:
Have a specific spot to store your ring when you’re not wearing it, such as a jewellery box or a designated space in your home. This reduces the risk of losing or misplacing it.
3. Avoid Applying Lotions, Sunscreen, Or Perfumes
The chemicals in products like lotions, perfumes, and sunscreen can damage your diamonds and gemstones. Always remove your ring before applying these products to avoid potential harm.
4. Regularly Check The Setting
Your ring’s setting can become loose, especially if it holds a large stone. Jewellers recommend checking the setting every five months to ensure the stone is secure. This can prevent the heartbreak of losing a valuable gem.
5. Don’t Go Swimming With Your Ring
Water, especially cold water, can cause your fingers to shrink, making it easier for your ring to slip off. If you lose your ring in the ocean, chances are it’s gone for good.
While platinum can withstand most chemicals, gold and silver bands can discolour when exposed to the harsh chemicals in swimming pools.
6. Be Careful In The Kitchen
Ingredients like dough or oil can leave residue on your ring when cooking or baking, dulling its shine. Take extra care when handling food with your hands, or consider removing your ring to keep it clean.
7. Maintain Regular Cleaning
Jewellery stores typically offer free cleaning services, so take advantage of this. However, if you don’t have time to visit the store, you can clean your ring at home using mild dishwashing detergent. Here’s how:
Steps for Cleaning Your Ring at Home:
- Mix a small amount of dishwashing detergent with warm water.
- Soak your ring in the mixture for about 10 minutes.
- Use a soft toothbrush to scrub the ring, especially around the setting gently.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.
You can use a mild cleaner like Formula 409 for diamonds but rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving residue. Avoid harsh chemicals, especially when cleaning rings with emeralds.
8. Schedule Professional Cleanings
Most jewellers offer complimentary professional cleaning services. These cleanings involve a deep clean and an inspection for loose stones or damaged prongs.
Experts recommend getting your ring professionally cleaned twice a year to maintain its structural integrity and shine.
9. Use Gentle Cleaning Solutions
If you prefer cleaning your ring at home, a simple solution of warm water and dish soap will do the trick.
Soak your ring for 30 minutes and gently scrub it with a toothbrush. Baking soda is another great, gentle option for polishing metals and gemstones.
Pro Tip: When cleaning your ring, always work over a drain with a filter to avoid accidentally dropping it down the drain.
10. Consider A Backup Ring
Many couples opt for a “backup” ring for everyday wear. Costume jewellery that mimics the look of your engagement ring can be a safer option, allowing you to keep your real ring safe from potential damage or loss.
11. Avoid Chemicals
Never expose your ring to chemicals in cosmetics, cleaning supplies, or toiletries. These substances can harm both the metal and the gemstones. Always remove your ring before using such products.
12. Mind The Weather
Cold weather can cause your fingers to shrink, increasing the likelihood of your ring slipping off.
Conversely, hot weather may cause your fingers to swell, making your ring feel tighter. In extreme weather conditions, leave your ring at home.
13. Don’t Risk Wearing Your Ring During High-Risk Activities
Certain activities pose a higher risk of damaging or losing your ring. For example, outdoor activities like sailing, hiking, or casual gardening can be hazardous for your ring. When in doubt, it’s safer to leave your ring behind.
14. Designate A Safe Spot For Your Ring
Always have a designated place to store your ring when you remove it. This will minimise the chance of misplacing it.
Great options are a small jewellery box, a dish on your nightstand, or a designated pouch in your handbag.
15. Restore Shine To White Gold And Platinum
Over time, white gold can develop a yellowish tint. Rhodium plating can restore its shine, making your ring look brand new. No plating is needed for those with platinum rings, but you can have your ring polished to enhance its reflectiveness if desired.
16. Clean Your Ring Four Times A Year
Regular cleaning is key to keeping your ring sparkling. Aim to clean your engagement ring at least four times a year to prevent dirt and oil buildup, which can diminish the stone’s brilliance. If you’re uncomfortable cleaning it yourself, visit your jeweller for a professional cleaning.
17. Avoid Resizing Your Ring Too Often
Resizing your ring multiple times can weaken the metal and potentially lead to long-term damage. Instead of resizing frequently due to changes in finger size (for example, during pregnancy), consider storing your ring until it fits again.
18. Remove Your Ring During Hands-On Activities
Take off your ring before engaging in heavy manual labour, such as moving furniture, gardening, or weightlifting. Even daily activities like washing dishes can put your ring at risk, so removing and keeping it safe is best.
19. Avoid Removing Your Ring In Public
Taking off your ring in public, such as when washing your hands in a restroom, increases the risk of losing or leaving it behind. Try to avoid removing your ring in such situations.
20. Insure Your Ring
While your engagement ring holds immense sentimental value, it’s also a significant financial investment. Insuring your ring protects you in case of theft, loss, or damage. Ensure your ring is appraised every five years to ensure your insurance policy covers its current market value.
Conclusion
Your wedding and engagement rings are not just pieces of jewellery but symbols of your love and commitment. Taking care of them is important to preserve their beauty and sentimental value.
Follow these steps to ensure your rings remain in pristine condition for years to come. Clean them regularly, store them safely, and remember when to remove them.
By taking these precautions, your rings will continue to sparkle and remind you of your special day for a lifetime.
FAQs About Wedding Rings
How Do I Keep My Ring In Good Condition?
To keep your ring sparkling, clean it often to remove lotions, skin oil, and everyday dirt that cloud it. Soak the ring in warm water and mild dishwashing liquid, and scrub it with a soft toothbrush.
Do You Sleep With Your Wedding Ring On?
If your ring features a large diamond with sharp edges, wearing it to sleep should be safe. However, the ring might scratch your partner or damage your bedding.
How Often Should You Wash Your Wedding Ring?
To keep your ring looking its best, clean it once a week. That’s enough to keep everyday oil and buildup at bay. About twice a year, however, it’s good to take it to be cleaned at your jeweller-even more often if your ring has been exposed to a high level of debris.
Can I Wash My Hands With My Wedding Ring On?
Your engagement ring is fine when washing your hands with gentle soap and warm water; there is no need to stress about taking it on and off. However, it would help if you took it off to apply hand sanitiser.
Can You Clean Your Ring Too Much?
You can only clean your wedding ring a little when it’s done correctly. But, if you’re using harsh chemicals regularly, that’s when you’re doing too much. Those chemicals will end up damaging the metal and stones, affecting the overall look of the ring.
