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Whether gold or platinum, a classic diamond solitaire or something a little different, your special jewel deserves to be understood. We’re here today with our expert guide to caring for your engagement ring.
DO
✓ Store your ring in a fabric-lined jewellery box
✓ Store your ring separate from other jewels to avoid rubbing or scratching
✓ Remove your ring when showering or applying any scents, lotions and potions, so as to avoid a build-up of chemicals over time. In the event that your ring comes into contact with any of the above, try to rinse it as quickly as possible
✓ Try to move carefully when coming into contact with hard or abrasive surfaces (think keys and car doors!)
✓ Pick a metal of the same hardness when choosing your wedding ring to avoid one ring scratching against the other
DON’T
✗ Wear your ring in the swimming pool – chlorine is its worst enemy!
✗ Wear your ring when exercising, playing sport or gardening - scratches and dents are tricky to redeem!
✗ Wear your ring when doing the housework
✗ Store your ring next to any non-precious costume jewellery or leather watch straps
Our paws come into contact with common cosmetics like makeup, perfume and moisturiser on a daily basis, so a gradual build-up of grot is inevitable. However, a lost sparkle is nothing a simple home clean won’t be able to revive.
The easiest and most efficient way to clean an engagement ring is with a solution of warm water and washing-up liquid. Soak your ring in the solution for 20-40 minutes, gently brush the stone with a very soft toothbrush (top tip: kids’ toothbrushes have much gentler bristles than adults’!), then finish the process by rinsing the ring under warm running water.
In the absence of washing-up liquid, you can also use shampoo or body wash. Whichever potion you choose, just try to avoid anything too moisturising – products of this nature tend to leave a film on jewellery.
Avoid the temptation to dry your ring with a paper towel, as these stiff little Mother Hubbards can scratch softer metals and gemstones. Instead, use a soft cotton cloth or simply leave your ring to air dry.
To keep your ring looking fresh-faced and healthy, try to give it a quick clean around once a month; often enough to keep everyday build-up at bay but not too often to damage the ring.
Particular care must be taken when cleaning white gold engagement rings. White gold is generally an alloy consisting of 75% pure yellow gold and 25% other metals such as palladium - the latter included to give the yellow metal its silvery-white hue. However, even with the presence of these white metals, white gold still shows a slightly yellow tinge. For this reason, it's usually plated with rhodium to mask the yellow hue and offer a completely white finish. Unfortunately, rhodium plating isn't designed to withstand years of daily exposure to the elements, so wears away slowly over time, once again revealing the slightly yellow metal underneath. Over-cleaning can significantly speed up the rate at which rhodium plating wears away.
It's also incredibly important to only use gentle products when cleaning your engagement ring. In the words of Brides.co.uk, ‘The only thing worse than a ring that has lost its luster is a ring that’s damaged due to improper care.’ We advise never to use any harsh household chemicals like bleach, chlorine or acetone on your ring, for fear of them breaking down its base metals. Abrasive products like toothpaste, baking soda or any other powdered cleaners can also easily scratch metals; particularly gold.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), you should avoid using ultrasonic cleaners to clean your diamond ring. Though tempting in their ability to produce sparkling results, these devices work by sending vibrations through water, a vigorous movement that can cause your stunning stones to become loose or even dislodged.
Some of our precious metals – like our white gold – are rhodium-plated to create a brighter, whiter or blacker finish. As explained earlier, this plating is susceptible to wear over a long period of time. If you notice your engagement ring changing colour, give us a shout - we can organise a re-finish for free within the first year of purchase.
You might also notice that your engagement ring’s band has become scratched and scuffed over time, creating a dull appearance. We generally wouldn't recommend having your ring polished too often – especially if your band sports an engraving - as polishing lifts away a little metal and detail every time. However, if you feel your gold is really lacking lustre, we’re happy to give it a light buff to redeem some of that familiar old shine. We charge £40 for this service.
It's possible to embrace the beautiful materials that Mother Nature offers us without harming our beautiful planet. By asking questions, simplifying supply chains and sharing our knowledge with the world, we can achieve this balance.
