Engagement Rings Boca Raton - June 26, 2020

How to Properly Care for Your Engagement Ring

Want your engagement ring to look brand new for years to come?

At Devon's Diamonds & Decor, we can help you keep your diamond engagement ring as shiny and bright as it was the day you put it on your finger. with the following tips:

HAVE YOUR RING INSURED

Insuring your engagement ring is the first and most important item to complete when it comes to caring for your engagement ring. No one ever wants to think about their precious ring being damaged, lost or stolen,

but unfortunately, it can happen. While the sentimental value of your ring is impossible to replace, ring insurance can cover the replacement cost. Ring insurance can be bought as an extension to your renter's or homeowner's policy. Or, for more coverage (replacing the actual lost or stolen ring), consider a company that specializes in jewelry insurance.

Here are some additional ring insurance tips:

Pictures. Take close-up pictures of your ring.
Appraisal. You should have received an appraisal when you purchased your ring (if not, request one). Appraisals generally satisfy insurance company requirements for jewelry riders appended to homeowner's policies. Keep it somewhere safe as you'll likely need it when looking to insure your jewelry.
Current Appraisal. Keep in mind that the value of your jewelry can increase over time. It is important to obtain a current appraisal every 2-3 years and update your policy when the value of jewelry changes to ensure adequate coverage with your insurance company.
Receipt. Keep a copy of your purchase receipt on your computer or in a safe.

After you feel confident that your new engagement ring is fully protected, you can focus on how to care for your diamond ring to ensure it keeps its quality for as long as possible.

HAVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED AT LEAST TWICE PER YEAR

Everyday wear can cause your prongs to loosen or bend which can cause stones from accidentally falling out. Jewelry experts can spot even the tiniest of problems before you notice them and most will do this check for free, even if you didn’t buy your ring at their store. Having your ring checked by professionals will keep it in tip-top shape for years to come!

LEARN THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN YOUR RING AT HOME

Your diamond sparkles the way it does because it is reflecting light. Even the smallest smudge will prevent light from shining through. Residue from things such as lotion, dirt, oil, and soap can lodge itself into your diamond so you’ll want to clean your ring to keep it shining bright. If you don’t clean it regularly, your ring will end up looking dull instead of brilliant.

To clean your ring at home, experts recommend soaking it in a solution of warm (never hot) water and a mild dishwashing liquid. After soaking, gently scrub your ring with a soft toothbrush. For hard to reach places, try using a toothpick or un-waxed dental floss. After cleaning, rinse your ring in water and dry with a lint free cloth (careful not to catch the cloth on your ring’s prongs). Never use chlorine or rubbing alcohol on jewelry. Chlorine will create pits in karat gold and rubbing alcohol will leave an unwanted oil residue.

HAVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY AT LEAST 4 TIMES A YEAR

While at-home cleaning will suffice every couple of weeks or so, it is also important to take your ring into your jeweler for professional cleanings. Your jeweler will likely use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean your ring. Ultrasonic cleaners send high frequency sound waves through a detergent solution that dissolves oil and removes dirt from the entire piece, including those hard to reach places. If you bought your ring from us, ultrasonic cleanings and inspections are always free! Visit our jewelry store in Boca Raton during our business hours, or schedule an appointment here.

PROTECT YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING FROM CHEMICALS

It's smart to take off your ring when you wash dishes, scrub the bathroom, or perform other tasks that require harsh chemicals or abrasive solutions often found in household cleaners. These can erode metal settings as well as dull their finish.

GIVE YOUR METAL SETTING A REFRESH EVERY FEW YEARS

No matter what metal type your engagement ring is set with, it will eventually show signs of wear. Any time your metal comes in contact with a material harder than it is, it will cause scratches. After years of everyday wear, these tiny scratches can start to have an effect on the finish of your ring. Also, over time, every type of metal will tarnish due to oxygen and moisture coming into contact with your ring.

Depending on the type of precious metal of your ring, you’ll want to follow the care instructions to ensure it stays shiny and in great shape. Platinum and yellow gold require polishing every couple of years to maintain its smooth surface and shine. White gold needs to be dipped every few years to replace the rhodium plating and to retain its color and luster. This process is inexpensive and definitely necessary if you want to keep your ring looking brand new.

DON'T HAVE YOUR RING RE-SIZED TOO MANY TIMES

Rings can be resized if the need arises. But it's important not to do this too many times. Your ring is a delicate piece of jewelry. The more times the ring gets altered, the likelihood increases that something will become damaged and the ring will need to be reset altogether. Most people re-size their rings because their fingers have either grown or shrunk. Some common reasons for hands to change sizes temporarily might be weight fluctuations, traveling or changes in temperature. Pregnancy is another common cause for these fluctuations in sizing. It's common for a woman's hands to swell during pregnancy, often causing the engagement ring to no longer fit. Once the pregnancy is over, don't rush straight to the jewelers to get the ring re-sized. Give your hands time, and the swelling should go down naturally.

**KNOW WHEN NOT TO WEAR YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING**

We know…you love your engagement ring and all it symbolizes and wouldn’t even dream of taking it off. But sometimes you should! Avoid accidentally harming your ring by removing it before:

Exercising
Cleaning bathrooms or washing dishes
Swimming

STORE YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING SAFELY

When you do need to take off your ring, where you store it matters! Store it in a safe location that you will remember so no one can find it or so it won't fall anywhere (like down a drain). It is also important to store your ring safely so it does not get damaged. Diamonds are the hardest material known to man, making them extremely scratch resistant. However, diamonds will scratch other diamonds, gems, and metals if allowed to rub together. Therefore, it is important to store diamonds separately, preferably in a cloth or velvet lined jewelry box with individual compartments.

ENGAGEMENT RINGS NEAR ME

At Devon's Diamonds & Decor, we custom make all of our engagement rings to suit a person's specific style. Due to the amount of care and detail we put into your ring, we would want nothing more than for it last you forever. After all, it is a symbol of your relationship and your lives together. So now that you know the proper way to care for your diamond engagement ring, you will be able to keep it looking brand new for a lifetime!

If you're looking for a jeweler to inspect and clean your ring for you on a one-time basis or as part of a regular schedule, we hope you'll pay us a visit at our jewelry store in Boca Raton. Our family of fourth generation jewelers will carefully examine your diamond and its setting to ensure that it's still in place, before professionally cleaning it.

Get in touch with us online to set up an appointment or call us at (561) 430-6988.

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