How To Care For Your Engagement Ring
As a sentimental piece that symbolises such an important milestone in your journey, an engagement ring is one of the most treasured possessions that you'll ever own.
At TenSevenSeven, we know that caring for your engagement ring is important, helping to maintain its beauty and improving the life of your forever piece.
In this article, we'll show you how to treat your ring with the love and care it deserves, from cleaning it at home to having it professionally polished.
Discover more about engagement ring care below.
How to look after your engagement ring
Looking after your treasured engagement ring isn’t just about cleaning, it’s about how you care for it day-to-day. You can look after your engagement ring in a few ways, including:
Cleaning your ring at home using mild soap and water
Removing your ring while in the shower, cleaning, swimming or performing strenuous activities
Avoiding harsh chemicals
Storing your ring in a safe place when you’re not wearing it
Regularly checking the ring’s prongs and setting to check whether they need to be tightened.
Having your ring polished by a professional jeweller on a yearly basis.
How to take your ring off
Your dream ring starts with the perfect fit. And while rings glide easily on, things like the weather or strenuous activities can sometimes make taking them off a little tricky. We're here to ensure you find the right fit but in the chance that you have difficulty taking your ring off - here are some tips to ensure you don't damage your special piece.
The most important thing is not to force it off, as this can cause accidental damage. To safely remove the ring, try:
Elevating your hand for about 5-10 minutes, which can help reduce swelling in the fingers.
Apply an ice pack to your finger for 15 minutes, then slowly try to twist the ring off.
Shift it back and forth to help move it over the skin.
Run your hand under cold water or lubricate your finger with dish soap or baby oil, then gently slide the ring past your knuckle.
How to clean your engagement ring
Knowing how to clean your engagement ring at home helps maintain your diamond’s shine between professional cleans.
How you clean an engagement ring may depend on the type of precious metal or the gemstones it contains. Here is a quick overview.
How to clean a gold engagement ring
Yellow gold is a strong and timeless precious metal that's resistant to rust and corrosion and is relatively easy to clean.
Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid.
Dip your ring into the solution and gently scrub away dirt and grime with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Carefully rinse with clean water.
Pat dry with a soft, non-abrasive jewellery cloth.
How to clean an engagement ring in white gold
White gold is lightweight and durable thanks to its mix of alloys, including gold, palladium and zinc, making engagement ring cleaning at home fairly easy.
Like other types of gold, the safest way to clean a white gold ring is with mild soap and warm water. Mix in a small bowl and leave it to soak for around 20-30 minutes to dislodge debris. Then rinse it clean, before taking a soft cloth and gently rubbing around the ring.
How to clean a platinum diamond ring
Platinum is a rare and beautiful metal that can develop a silky patina over time, giving it a soft, vintage-inspired glow. It is also the second strongest precious metal in existence, making it highly durable and resistant to scratches.
Cleaning an engagement ring in platinum is as easy as cleaning a gold engagement ring.
Submerge your ring in a bowl of mild soap and warm water for around 30 to 40 minutes, then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to carefully clean in and around the ring’s setting. Afterwards, rinse away soap residue and wipe it down with a lint-free cloth.
How to clean diamond rings
As with gold and platinum rings, cleaning diamond rings with some mild dish soap and warm water is enough to wash away unwanted oil and debris, leaving it to soak for around 20 minutes.
You can also clean a diamond ring with a soft toothbrush, gently brushing over the diamond. Rinse it off afterwards, and pat dry with a soft cloth, leaving your ring to air dry in a safe place.
How often should I clean my engagement ring?
Ideally, you should clean your engagement ring once every couple of weeks to maintain its beauty and clean away dirt build up.
Although your ring can accumulate dirt and oil over time, it's best not to clean your ring too often as doing so might damage your ring’s surface.
In the case of platinum and white gold, excessive cleaning can wear down rhodium plating, while cleaning yellow gold rings too much can cause them to degrade over time or lose their shape.
Professional diamond cleaning at TenSevenSeven
TenSevenSeven does more than your average diamond ring cleaner. We’re also committed to delivering quality care and expert craftsmanship for your bespoke ring and beyond.
As part of our complimentary three-year care plan, we offer a yearly service consisting of a thorough inspection of your ring, a clean and a polish, along with a reshape if wear and tear has significantly impacted your ring over time. Tightening of stones and replating of rhodium can also be performed by one of our Diamond Experts to restore your ring’s shine.
How often should you get a ring cleaned professionally?
Customers should have their engagement ring professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year to preserve its beauty.
Compared to cleaning at home, having your engagement ring cleaned by a professional jeweller can improve its overall quality and extend the life of your piece. A professional clean is thorough, able to get into those little corners you might miss during a home clean.
TenSevenSeven offers free professional cleaning and servicing on all engagement rings as part of our complimentary three year care plan. We also require you to send your ring back to us every year for a full inspection in order to maintain your 10-year warranty. We will check your ring is in great shape and also clean it for you while it is with our artisans.
Is professional ring cleaning worth it?
Professional ring cleaning can provide a great opportunity to check for any wear and tear, which might affect the look of your ring. A professional jeweller can also give your ring a refresh, equipped with the right tools and expertise, to ensure its integrity long-term.
TenSevenSeven's own cleaning service offers more than a simple polish of your engagement ring, with reshaping and stone tightening included.
Where to wear your engagement ring
Naturally, you'll want to show off your engagement ring and wear it everywhere. But where do you wear your engagement ring without risking damage?
Avoid wearing it in the water
Swimming in a pool or at the beach can affect body temperature and shrink your fingers, which might cause your ring to slip off. Exposure to salt and sand can also scratch the ring’s metal and dull the appearance of your stone. Showering with your ring on might also cause metal to fade and your diamond to become cloudy due to soap buildup, extreme heat and moisture.
Should I take my ring off every night?
Sleeping with your ring on might cause it to snag on your hair or on sheets, especially in the case of a high setting engagement ring. To keep it looking its best, pop it into a pouch or safely in your bedside drawer at night.
If in doubt, take it off. It’s better to be cautious as you’ll want your ring to be with you and at its best always.
Do you wear your engagement ring everyday?
Although it’s common practice to wear an engagement ring daily, some might choose to store it in a safe place while performing certain activities in order to protect it.
It’s good to be mindful of situations where your ring might get damaged. For example, using bleach or ammonia when cleaning might stain the ring’s surface and even corrode the metal, while gardening can prove messy and expose your ring to dirt and fertilisers.
Whether you decide to wear your engagement ring every day all comes down to personal preference, but if you do take it off, make sure to store it safely in a fabric-lined box away from other jewellery pieces.
Where to store your engagement ring
There's a number of safe places to store your engagement ring when you're not wearing it, including an engagement ring dish, a small jewellery pouch or a fabric-lined jewellery box away from other jewellery. This helps keep your ring out of direct sunlight, avoids accidental damage from other diamond pieces, and is nicely tucked away safe and ready for wear.
Still looking for the ring of your dreams? Connect with our Diamond Experts at TenSevenSeven today to begin your design journey.
