When it comes to your gorgeous new diamond engagement ring, you want to do your best to protect it. After all, not only is it an embodiment of your love, but it probably costs a pretty penny as well. Taking care of your diamond ring doesn’t have to be a chore, though, so long as you know the dos and don’ts of diamond ring care. We’ve made up a handy little cheat-sheet just for you though, so that you can know just how to make your diamond shine to its fullest potential.
Be Careful!
Diamonds are a tough stone, but regardless of what you might hear, they aren’t invincible. You can still chip, scratch or fracture your diamond. It’s possible to completely lose your stone from its setting as well. You need to be careful of what you’re doing with your hands when wearing your ring. You don’t want it taking any hard knocks.
When Not To Wear Your Ring
You’re probably tempted to wear your ring all the time, let’s be honest. However, there are certain areas of your life that a diamond just doesn’t belong. The last thing you want is for your ring to be lost or damaged. So here’s a quick list of when not to wear your engagement ring:
The Shower – Soap causes a cloudy buildup on your stone, or under it. Shampoos and body wash is even worse, for that matter. So, while we recommend that you leave your ring on while washing your hands (getting into the habit of taking it off may see you leaving it in a public restroom somewhere), don’t wear your ring in the shower. There’s also the chance of it slipping off your finger and ending up down the drain, and no one wants that.
The Pool – Chlorine is damaging to rings, especially the metals. Discolouration can happen, or even destruction of the metal band itself over time. Your diamond can also be damaged by the chemicals in the water, so keep your ring off while you’re in a pool or hot tub. (However, if you lose your ring in the pool, be sure to check the filter.) Also, keep your ring away from beaches and the ocean, as if you lose it there, it’s gone. And sunscreen is a great way to cloud up your diamond.
The Gym – Sweaty hands can be slippery hands, which could cause you to lose your ring. Not only that, but weightlifting can cause you to bend or break the metal bands, which could cause you to lose your stones. Any contact sports or similar activities can lead to serious hand and finger injuries as well. So, no ring when exercising.
Bed – Wearing your ring to bed might seem like an okay idea, but you can actually wear down the setting to the point of losing your stone. Constant fabric wear on the metal weakens it, and you’re likely to damage your ring that way. Take your ring off before heading to bed every night, and it will last a lot longer.
Cleaning – Any time you’re going to be using harsh chemicals to clean, its best to set your ring aside. Not only can you do damage to the stone itself, but the metal can become discoloured or weakened as well. Even if you don’t have a diamond -actually, especially if you don’t have a diamond but another gem, as the chemicals will erode the finish on your setting and stone.
Cleaning Your Ring
Your ring is going to get dirty. Buildup on the stone, under it, or on the band is going to make it sparkle less, and it’s going to need to be cleaned. It may seem like a chore, but thankfully, cleaning your ring isn’t very difficult at all. Mix some warm water with a few drops of soap and drop your ring it. Let it soak for a little while, and then gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush (usually a baby toothbrush will work just fine) and then pat it dry. Don’t be too aggressive, or use a hard-bristled brush, and remember to clean it every few weeks. Your ring will shine like it’s supposed to. However, always remember to cover the drain.
Resizing
Your hands will change over time. However, there are times when it’s proper to resize your ring and when it’s not. Seasons, weather and weight fluctuations are leading causes of a ring not fitting the same and may occur at any time in your life. Pregnancies are notorious for making your ring not fit anymore. Sometimes the best thing to do is to set your ring aside and wait out the changes, instead of going to get it resized. (If you’re pregnant, it’s not a good idea to get it resized at all, as your hands will generally go back to their previous size after the baby’s birth.) If your ring is consistently the wrong size all year, though, it may be time to consider taking it to a trusted jewellery store in Melbourne CBD.
Your ring is special, and it’s important to take the best care of it that you can. Just remember the dos and don’ts and especially remember where you shouldn’t wear your ring. You may want to show it off at every moment, but sometimes it’s best to just leave it home.
Design your own piece of history to protect by creating a custom engagement ring in Melbourne.