After the Wedding Jewelry Care

Chances are you wear your engagement ring every day, so it’s critical to properly care for it to ensure it stays beautiful for years to come. Not to mention the investment that an engagement ring is and the sentimental value it holds! On average, couples spend over $6,000 on an engagement ring, which makes caring for your ring all the more important. Here are some tips on how to properly clean your engagement ring at home.

Everyday products like cosmetics, hairspray, soap, and cleaning products can cause your engagement ring to get dirty. If you’re wearing your engagement ring every day, aim to clean it at home once a week using a mixture of warm water and a few drops of mild soap. Soak your ring in the mixture for approximately 30 minutes, brush it with a soft bristled toothbrush (a baby toothbrush is a great option), and rinse it with warm water. Once complete, dry your ring with a cotton cloth.

Your jeweler may offer you a cleaning solution as part of their services. Diamonds Direct provides customers with complimentary gem and jewelry cleaner to take home. Simply place your jewelry in the cleaner, replace the cap, gently shake the container, remove your jewelry, rinse off with water, and dry with a cloth. Diamonds Direct jewelry cleaner should not be used for cleaning pearls, emeralds, opal, coral, turquoise, lapis, onyx, tiger eye, or other soft or porous stones. If your jewelry cleaner becomes discolored over time, simply stop into a Diamonds Direct location near you and pick up a new one!

How Often Should I Have My Jeweler Clean My Engagement Ring?

While cleaning your engagement ring regularly at home is a great way to care for it, you should have your ring professionally cleaned by a jeweler at least twice a year, and more often if you’re outdoors often or very active. Your jeweler will thoroughly clean your ring to remove any debris and build up. Remember to have your jeweler check your ring’s prongs to ensure they aren’t worn down and that your diamond is secure.

A quick tip: Many jewelry stores offer warranties and guarantees that include complimentary cleaning of your jewelry, meaning you don’t have to pay for it! Don’t forget to ask about warranties and guarantees while you're shopping for an engagement ring or fine jewelry. It can truly make all the difference when choosing which jeweler to purchase from.

Do Men’s Wedding Bands Need to be Cleaned?

Yes! Men’s wedding bands should be cleaned the same way an engagement ring is: soaked in warm water and mild soap mixture, then brushed with a soft bristled toothbrush. Caring for a men’s wedding band is also dependent on the type of metal the band is.

For example, a 14kt yellow gold band is a softer metal that is more prone to scratches. Because of this, you should have your jeweler polish the band occasionally. On the other hand, a platinum wedding band is more durable, making it less prone to wear and tear.

What should I not do when cleaning my jewelry at home?

First and foremost, it’s crucial you don’t use the wrong products to clean your ring. Harsh chemicals such as bleach and chlorine can damage and scratch metal. When drying your ring, avoid using paper towels or bath towels, which can leave lint and microscopic scratches on your ring.

How to Protect Your Engagement Ring

While you should regularly clean your engagement ring, there are additional measures you should take to protect your ring during everyday activities, including:

• Take your ring off when cleaning or washing dishes
• Avoid wearing your ring when working out
• Remove your ring when swimming or when at the beach
• Take off your ring when applying lotion

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to your jeweler with questions on how to clean and protect your engagement ring or fine jewelry.