If you recently got engaged – congratulations! Whether you’re already wearing your engagement ring, or you’ve yet to pick the perfect one out, it’s important to know how to properly care for it so that it stays beautiful for years to come.
Inspecting Your Ring Regularly
The first step in caring for your engagement ring is to check it regularly. If your engagement ring has a stone, you should check the setting and prongs to ensure that the stones are secure. If they seem loose, you’ll want to get an expert opinion (more on this later), which can help prevent the devastation – and expense – of losing a stone. Even if you own a platinum engagement ring, with its naturally sturdier metal, it still warrants a view of the claws and shoulders to ensure nothing has shifted with time.
Cleaning and Maintenance at Home
You can care for and clean your engagement ring at home using mild soap, warm water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals, bristle brushes or cleaning hacks that involve the use of toothpaste or ultrasonic devices (unless advised by your jeweller).
Bear in mind that residue from everyday substances, such as moisturisers, SPFs, perfume and cleaning solutions can dull the metal and stones, so regular gentle care is essential to help your engagement ring keep its brilliant sparkle and shine.
Safe Wear and Storage Practices
Life takes its toll on our jewellery without us realising it, and everyday activities can impact on your engagement ring.
You may not be able to prevent the usual wear and tear of day-to-day life, but it’s a good idea to remove your ring before undertaking any heavy-duty work, such as DIY, decorating or gardening, to prevent scratches, knocks, and exposure to dirt or chemicals. Or even just the horror of losing your engagement ring in a paint can or flower bed! Some people also take their engagement ring off for strenuous exercise or when swimming.
If you do decide to remove your ring, store it securely and separate from other jewellery in a soft pouch or a dedicated compartment to prevent it from getting scratched, lost, or stolen.
Professional Servicing and Insurance
While most routine care and maintenance can be done at home, there are times when it’s best to get an expert opinion.
Ideally, you’ll want to take your engagement ring to a trusted, professional jeweller for inspection, servicing or polishing every 12–24 months, or sooner if you notice damage.
We’d always recommend ensuring you have jewellery insurance in place for your engagement ring, especially if it’s a valuable piece with precious metals and/or stones.
In some cases, you may be covered under your existing home or contents insurance, but it’s worth checking how much you can claim for an individual item were the worst to happen and your engagement ring was lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair. Before taking out a policy, you’ll also need an up-to-date valuation so that insurers have a clear idea of the value of your engagement ring.
