You'll have a lot of questions regarding engagement ring care when you glance down at your gleaming new addition: Should I sleep with it on? Is it okay if I leave it on while I shower? Is it really possible to clean it with dish soap?
All of your concerns are valid. Given that an engagement ring is likely to be one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry you'll ever own - especially if yours is a yellow diamond engagement ring - it's no surprise that many newly engaged people are unsure how to incorporate it into their everyday lives. Here are a few helpful hints.
Regular Cleaning is a Must
There's no use in having a brilliantly cut diamond if it's going to be unclean since dirt or oil will obstruct the light interactions in the stone. If you don't clean it, you aren't doing the stone justice since it isn't reaching its full potential.
Fortunately, cleaning your diamond ring is a simple task: simply place it in a cup of warm water with a few drops of soap or mild dishwashing detergent. Allow it to soak for at least few minutes (or even overnight) before gently scrubbing the stone and basket with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush, rinsing, and patting dry.
Cleaning it at least once every few weeks is a good idea, but do so away from the sink; the last thing you want to do is waste hours attempting to fish it out of a drain.
Remember That Diamonds are NOT Invincible
Perhaps you've heard that a diamond can't be damaged? This is not the case. Despite being the world's toughest naturally occurring stone, diamonds can nevertheless fracture, bruise, and chip if treated too roughly.
Be Cautious About Resizing Your Diamond Engagement Ring
Keep in mind that seasonal variations in temperature, weight fluctuations, and travel can all impact the fit of your ring, so think about that before getting it resized. Resizing a diamond engagement ring is often possible, but it's a drastic move that cannot be repeated often. Consult with an experienced jeweler to help you determine if the ring truly needs to be resized or if other temporary factors, like the ones we've just mentioned, are to blame.
However, if your ring is regularly loose during the year, size down. The looser it is, the more wear your diamond will receive and the more out of shape your setting will become.
A beautiful diamond earring
Know When to Take Your Engagement Ring Off
If you've ever wondered, "Can I shower with my engagement ring?" you already thought the answer would be no—and you were correct. For two reasons, the shower can be a perilous location for engagement rings. First, when your fingers are all lathered up and slippery with soap, a ring might easily slip off—and if the ring falls off, it's likely to fall down a drain and might be lost forever. Second, oily soaps will degrade your diamond's finish, while exfoliating soaps will scratch it.
Another tip? Don't wear your expensive engagement ring to swim in the ocean or in the pool. In either situation if the water is cool or cold your fingers will shrink, which can, of course, lead to the ring slipping off and drifting out to sea, or right into the pool drain. And while chlorine is unlikely to damage your diamond itself, it may damage your ring's metal.
When you are cleaning the house or cooking, it's often a good idea to take your precious diamond ring off too. Harsh cleaning chemicals, gooey oils and of course the proximity of the sink can all pose a threat to your ring.
The one thing you should do? Keep ring dishes placed around the house. Losing your diamond ring when you have taken it off is a terrible thought too. If you ensure there is always a tray handy to set it in, this should be one less problem to worry about!
