Diamonds are still the most popular engagement ring stone. They hold significant appeal to brides and grooms for their brightness, sparkle, and durability. Engagement rings are valuable as both an asset and the significance they hold representing love and commitment of a newly engaged or married couple. Taking the time and effort to care for your ring is important to maintain its like new condition. Many couples are now marking their calendars for ring care, similar to scheduling regular oil changes for your car.
Below are six easy ways to protect your engagement ring:
1) Obtain Engagement Ring Insurance
The first and most important step is to secure financial protection for your engagement ring. Replacing your engagement ring may not be first thought that comes to mind when getting engaged, it will provide peace of mind in carrying around such a valuable asset on a daily basis. Homeowners and rental insurance policies do cover the contents of your home, yet there are specific limits on the value of items covered. Couples sometimes purchase a rider policy that extends the coverage of a homeowners or rental policy. Other insurance options include a personal property policy that covers the ring specifically. In order to secure insurance, you will need to provide the insurance company with your receipt of purchase and an appraisal.
When it Makes Sense to Insure Your Engagement Ring
If your engagement ring was a large expense when purchased, it makes sense to insure it. If the groom or bride-to-be had to save up for the ring and it is lost or stolen, as long as you are properly insured, your spouse will not have to save up again. You can replace the ring soon after the loss, without financial hardship. Your insurance agent can help you insure any ring regardless of its style, including a custom ring, predesigned ring, or even a vintage or an antique ring
The cost of insuring a ring varies, but on average falls between $1-$2 per year for each $100 value insured. Be sure to ask your insurance agent about the type of loss u
You can get jewelry insurance from a coverage provider. If your insurance if renter’s or homeowner’s insurance, you can include a rider that covers your diamond in the policy. Take a close-up photo of your diamond, for good measure.
Engagement Ring Insurance
2) Don’t Resize Them More Than Once
When weight fluctuates or the temperature drops during the winter season, engagement rings may become loose. The fear of loss especially in the ocean or, at an amusement park roller coaster, or even in the garbage disposal becomes heightened. Consider your options. You could remove the ring for now and place it where you store your jewelry. Another option is to purchase a different ring. Neither of these options is ideal for most spouses. Having your jeweler resize the ring is certainly an option, but remember resizing your ring multiple times will affect its integrity and leave it weaker. You also will likely lose some of the gold or platinum since part of the ring is removed. A last and possibly best option is to use a ring guard or sizer. There are many of these on the market now. You can find them on Etsy, Amazon, and possibly your local jeweler. The sizers allow you to adjust the ring to make it snug on your finger.
3) Avoid Frequent Engagement Ring Handling
Your fingers have natural oils, of course. When these come into contact with your diamond or other stone, the diamond loses its luster. Grime and dirt may accumulate or eventually start caking over time. When you keep touching your ring or wear makeup after you’ve worn your ring, you transfer the grease to your ring.
4) Use Gentle Cleaners on Engagement Rings
Yes, cleaning your ring is important to keep oils and lotions from caking and to maintain its brilliance and bling. Cleaning your ring properly is simple. At home you can used very warm tap water along with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Soak it for 20 to 45 minutes and then gently brush the diamond or other stone with an extra soft-bristle toothbrush. Finally rinse with mildly warm tap water. Other cleaners such as chlorine and abrasive substances can discolor the metal of your ring. The corrosion may eventually make the prongs brittle.
A jewelry cleaner or a mild solution of one-part ammonia and six parts water also works well. Just be sure to check the ingredients before using an unfamiliar cleaner.
Ultrasonic cleaners can be beneficial to the cleaning process. You often see these at jewelry stores in the mall. The issue with these machines is they may shake the stones loose. The ultrasonic cleaning method creates tiny bubbles which eventually draws contaminants from the ring. Your gemstone may very well have surface breaks or tiny cracks. It is best to stay away from the ultrasonic machine when cracks are present. To be sure if there is no risk to your ring, ask a trusted jeweler about your specific ring.
5) Have your Engagement Ring Inspected by your Jeweler
Taking your ring to the jeweler at least twice a year helps identify any ring integrity or other wearing issues which may arise over time. You can ask the jeweler to inspect the diamond’s mounting and setting. The prongs shouldn’t be bent, and there should be no cracks on the diamond or gemstone. It is also a good time to have your jeweler clean the ring while at the store.
6) Separate Diamond Rings from the Others
Diamonds often scratch softer minerals. It is best to keep your diamond ring in a separate compartment in your jewelry box or armoire, away from your other rings. You can also store your diamond rings in fabric envelopes or wrap them in tissue paper to keep them from harming adjacent jewelry.