Did you know that your engagement ring, particularly its diamond, collects film from cosmetics, lotion, soap, and even skin oil? These harmful emissions will reduce the fire of your diamond.
Have you ever wondered why that ring you wore only once has a scratch? Perhaps it was due to improper storage.
Did you know that the prongs that secure your diamond in your ring will wear and get thin over time? The time it takes for prongs to become dangerously thin depends on how active you are, what kind of job you have, what type of metal the prongs are made from, and how you care for your engagement ring.
Caring for your ring is a simple task. Here are a few tips on how to keep your engagement ring looking shiny and new...
Wear
We know you wear your ring often, perhaps never even taking it off. Unforeseen events may endanger the beauty of your jewelry, but you can take some easy steps to avoid common hazards.
Avoid wearing fine jewelry when performing manual labor tasks, such as yard work or labor that would stress your jewelry. We recently replaced a beautiful engagement ring that was lost while racking leaves - the ring slipped off at some point during the job and was probably sucked into the city's leaf collector on collection day. We were able to recreate the ring, but there's always a special attachment to the ring that was first put on your finger.
Household chores, like doing the dishes, are potentially harmful to your engagement ring in that film can accumulate and distort the color or reduce the shimmer of your diamond, gold, or platinum.
Removing your engagement ring before participating in sporting activities is always a good idea.
Try not to wear your platinum, gold, or diamond ring in swimming pools. Over some time, chlorine could damage the ring's makeup.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning of your engagement ring will keep it looking great. There are no exact time frames to follow when defining "regularly." Anywhere from 2-4 times a year, depending on wear, should be sufficient. Our customers are welcome to stop in at any time for a free cleaning and inspection.
Each type of jewelry has specific guidelines to clean it most effectively:
Diamonds: Either use a commercial jewelry cleaner (follow their directions) or mix one cup of hot water, one-quarter cup of household ammonia, and one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent. Don't use anything abrasive. Then, soak the diamonds for about twenty minutes. Scrub firmly but slowly with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Rinse the diamonds in hot water and then dip them in rubbing alcohol and let air dry or towel off with a lint-free cloth. Don't rinse off the alcohol. To ensure the least amount of prints and oily residue, pick up the ring around its edges and avoid putting your fingertips directly on the diamond.
Gold: There are many good commercial gold jewelry cleaners available. We carry one at the store, but a soft chamois cloth is a great way to keep your gold lustrous and clean. To thoroughly clean your gold jewelry, soak your ring for ten to fifteen minutes in a solution of one cup of warm water mixed with one-quarter cup of ammonia. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently wipe away tarnish, dirt or film. Then, rinse with warm water, dry with a lint-free towel, or simply air-dry. To remove grease or other superficial infirmities, dip the jewelry into rubbing alcohol.
Platinum: Even though platinum is very durable and mostly scratch-resistant, proper cleaning is necessary to ensure its luster and strength. Platinum can be cleaned with the same solution used to clean gold. There are also effective commercial platinum cleaners.
All of your gold, platinum and diamond jewelry will benefit with annual or bi-annual professional cleaning.
Storage
To best protect your jewelry when it is not worn, separate it from other jewelry. (Use different compartments within your jewelry box.) Ideally, wrap each piece in velvet, paper, or silk - small plastic bags can also help protect each piece of jewelry. Be aware that jewelry can scratch other jewelry. A diamond can easily scratch a gold ring, platinum ring, or almost any gemstone.
For silver jewelry, consider storing it in a tarnish-resistant plastic bag. This will not only protect the jewelry against scratches but will also keep it looking its best.
Annual Inspection
We recommend an annual checkup for your ring. Bring your wedding, engagement, and/or anniversary bands to us, and we'll be happy to inspect them and let you know if any potential issues need attention. We'll check the prongs to ensure that your stones are secure, inspect the ring for scratches, and recommend solutions to any immediate or potential problems.