An engagement ring is more than just a beautiful accessory—it represents love, commitment, and is often a valuable purchase. Taking good care of it is important to keep it shining and make sure it lasts for years to come.
This guide offers practical and helpful tips on caring for your engagement ring. From everyday things to watch out for to professional cleaning advice, we’ll help you keep your ring looking its best.
How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring
1. Clean Your Ring Regularly
To keep your engagement ring shiny and looking like new, it’s important to clean it often. Over time, things like lotion, soap, makeup, and even dust can stick to your ring and make it look dull or dirty. Try to clean your ring at home once a week using gentle soap and warm water.
Avoid using strong cleaners like baking soda or toothpaste, and don’t use ultrasonic cleaners—they might damage the metal or loosen the stone. It’s also a good idea to take your ring to a professional jeweler about every six months for a deeper clean.
2. Schedule a Yearly Check-Up
Just like a car needs a regular check-up, your ring does too. Once a year, take it to a jeweler for an inspection. They’ll look at the prongs (the tiny metal pieces that hold the stone in place) and other parts of the ring to make sure nothing is loose, bent, or worn out. This helps prevent your diamond or gemstone from falling out.
The jeweler can also polish or replate your ring if it’s starting to look dull. Regular check-ups can catch small problems early—before they turn into big, expensive ones.
3. Store It the Right Way
When you’re not wearing your ring, it’s important to store it properly. For quick removals, like when washing your hands or applying lotion, keep small ring dishes in places like your bathroom or kitchen.
For longer periods—like when you’re going on vacation or doing housework—store your ring in a soft jewelry box or pouch. This keeps it safe from scratches, dust, and moisture. Also, don’t store it with other jewelry, especially harder stones like diamonds or sapphires, which can scratch it.
4. Protect Your Ring with Insurance
Your engagement ring is not only valuable in money but also holds a lot of sentimental value. Getting it insured is a smart way to protect it in case it gets lost, stolen, or damaged. Jewelry insurance can cover the cost to replace or repair your ring if something happens.
You can talk to your insurance provider or read our guide to learn more about how jewelry insurance works and how to get started.
5. Avoid Damage from Impact
Engagement rings—especially those with high-set stones or delicate designs—can get damaged if they hit something hard.
It’s best to remove your ring when engaging in activities such as lifting weights, gardening, playing sports, or cleaning. These tasks can bend the metal, loosen the stone, or leave scratches on the surface. Keeping your ring safe during these moments will help it last longer and look better over time.
Things You Should Never Do While Wearing Your Engagement Ring
1. Don’t Wear Your Ring at the Gym
Lifting weights, doing cardio, or playing sports can put too much pressure on your ring. It might bend the metal, loosen the stone, or even crack the band. It’s safer to take off your ring before any kind of workout.
2. Keep It Out of the Water
Swimming in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean can be risky. Chlorine can weaken the metal, and cold water can make your fingers shrink, which might cause the ring to slip off. Always remove your ring before swimming or soaking in water.
3. Don’t Apply Lotion or Makeup While Wearing It
Lotions, creams, and makeup can build up on your ring, making it look dull and dirty. Some products may even harm delicate stones. Always take off your ring before applying any skincare or makeup.
4. Don’t Sleep with Your Ring On
Wearing your ring to bed can lead to bent bands or loose stones, especially if you move a lot while sleeping. It might also get caught in your hair or sheets. To keep your ring safe, take it off before going to sleep.
5. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Cleaning products, perfumes, and hair sprays can cause damage or discoloration to your ring over time. Before using anything with strong chemicals, remove your ring to protect the metal and stones.
6. Don’t Wear It to the Beach
Beaches may seem harmless, but sand can scratch your ring, sunscreen can leave a sticky film, and cold water can cause your ring to slip off. It’s best to leave your ring at home when heading to the beach.
7. Don’t Wear It While Washing Dishes
Hot water and dish soap can wear down your ring’s metal and loosen the stone over time. There’s also a chance it could fall off and go down the drain. Play it safe and remove your ring before doing the dishes.
8. Avoid Wearing It While Cooking
Grease, oils, and raw food can stick to your ring and get into small spaces. This can cause a buildup of bacteria. Take off your ring before preparing food to keep it clean and sanitary.
9. Skip Wearing It During Yardwork
Gardening tools, rocks, and dirt can easily scratch or damage your ring. Soil can get stuck in the setting, making it hard to clean. If you’re doing any yardwork or heavy lifting, remove your ring first.
10. Be Careful with Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer contains alcohol and other ingredients that can dull the shine of your ring. Try to take your ring off before using sanitizer, and wait until your hands are dry before putting it back on. If you can’t remove it, apply sanitizer carefully around the ring.
11. Can I wear my engagement ring in the shower?
It’s best not to. Soaps, shampoos, and scrubs can leave a film on your ring, making it lose its sparkle over time. Taking it off before showering will help keep it clean and shiny.
12. Can I wash my hands with my engagement ring on?
Washing your hands with gentle soap is usually okay, but harsh soaps and hot water can slowly wear down the ring. There’s also a slight chance your ring could slip off when your hands are wet. If you want to be extra careful, remove your ring before washing and put it back on after drying your hands.
Conclusion
Taking care of your engagement ring doesn’t have to be hard, but it does make a big difference. By avoiding these common mistakes and being a little careful, you can keep your ring looking beautiful for years to come.
Jewels of NYC is here to help with professional cleanings, inspections, and expert advice to keep your ring in perfect shape. Whether you need a repair or just want your ring to sparkle like new, we’ve got you covered.
Contact us today to schedule a cleaning, inspection, or ask any questions—your ring deserves the best care!
