Expert tips on caring for and looking after your rings and jewelry with de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry!
An engagement ring or any type of expensive ring, including a diamond ring, is typically a significant financial investment, so taking care of it and ensuring it remains in perfect condition for as long as possible is essential.
Getting an engagement ring, especially if it’s your first expensive piece of jewelry, comes with many first-time questions, such as can I wear it to bed? Should I take off my ring to shower? And how do I keep my engagement ring clean?
At de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry, our experienced team of jewelry experts will give you 10 tips for caring for your rings to ensure your favorite jewelry pieces look fantastic for many years.
10 Tips On Caring For Your Rings
In this section, we’ll cover ten tips on regular ring cleaning and maintenance to keep your rings and jewelry looking fabulous for many years to come.
1. Regular Professional Cleaning
If your ring has a diamond, like most engagement rings, dirt and oil can build up on the stone, blocking light from interacting with the gem and making it appear dull. Cleaning your ring at home will help reduce dirt and oil build-up, but regular professional cleaning is essential.
If you’re cleaning your ring at home, soak the ring in warm water mixed with a few drops of Ivory or mild soap and then after a few minutes or an hour, scrub gently with a toothbrush. Allow the ring to air dry. Remember, keep your rings away from uncovered sinkholes!
2. Don’t Over Polish Your Ring
An occasional polish is excellent, but don’t get carried away. When you get your ring polished, small amounts of the ring material are polished away. While regular professional cleaning is essential, your ring should only be polished every 2-3 years.
3. Diamonds Are Tough but Not Invincible
While diamonds are one of the hardest naturally occurring substances in the world, they can still break, crack, and chip. The prong mountings or clips holding your diamonds and other gemstones in place can also be damaged, causing the gemstones to fall out. If you’re planning any physical activities where you might bump your ring, it’s probably a good idea to leave it at home or keep it somewhere safe.
4. Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals
Metals used in jewelry are often coated with materials to protect and enhance the look of the jewelry. However, while durable, precious metals and gemstones can react with chemicals, particularly harsh industrial solvents, and cleaners, so keep your rings well clear.
5. Know When It’s Time to Take Your Rings Off
When you first get any jewelry, like an engagement ring, you want to show it off, and it’s tempting to wear it 24/7. However, sometimes you’re better off leaving your ring at home. Any activities that involve water, like the beach, rafting, tubing, swimming, etc., significantly increase the chances of losing your ring. Physical activities such as sports, climbing, working out, and hiking are also high-risk activities for jewelry loss.
6. Get Your Ring and Jewelry Insured
It goes without saying that jewelry insurance should be high on your priority list. Most home insurance or rental insurance companies can add your ring to your existing insurance policy. Take the time to read through the insurance policy so you’re aware of what’s covered and what isn’t.
7. Be Careful Resizing Your Rings
Traveling, weight loss or gain, pregnancy, bloating, and temperature changes can all affect how comfortably your ring fits. If you gain weight or lose weight and are tempted to get your ring resized, take your time and don’t rush into it. There are only so many times you can adjust your jewelry before it starts to get weak.
8. Watch Your Prongs and Gemstone Setting
If you have a gemstone set in your ring, such as a diamond in an engagement ring, it’s essential to keep a close eye on the prongs and setting. We recommend that you get your ring professionally checked at least once per year to ensure that nothing has been damaged, is working loose, or is bent out of shape.
9. The Ring Dish
When you take your ring off to clean, wash up, or work out, where do you put it? The windowsill, sink, countertop, pocket? While all of these places are convenient, it can lead to you having no clue which spot you left your ring. A small ring dish left next to the common places you remove your jewelry will make it much easier to find your rings later if you forget to put them straight back on.
10. Upgrading Versus Replacing
Rings such as wedding rings and engagement rings hold a lot of sentimental value. However, we’re often in a better financial position later in life, so upgrading your ring, gemstone, or diamond is an option. Before you upgrade to a more expensive stone, make sure that you speak to a jeweler and get some professional advice and recommendations about upgrading your existing ring or purchasing a new one.
10 Expert Tips for Taking Care of Your Engagement Rings | Conclusion
There you go! Ten ring care tips from the jewelry experts at de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry. Any jewelry you purchase has both sentimental and financial value. However, no insurance policy in the world will be able to replace the sentimental value if you lose or break your wedding or engagement ring, so take care of them!
Discover our stunning collection of high-end jewelry in Dallas and Houston at de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry, featuring exquisite diamond engagement rings and luxury timepieces perfect for that special proposal. Visit us in-store or explore our selection online, and don’t hesitate to contact our expert staff with any questions or to view these magnificent pieces in person.
