From “Yes!” to Forever — How to Care for Your Engagement Ring

Your engagement ring is a cherished symbol of love and commitment, but it's also a statement of your unique style and personality. High-end engagement rings, even when crafted from top-notch materials like gold and platinum and adorned with resilient gemstones like diamonds and sapphires, require special attention to maintain their value and heirloom quality.

Here’s your ultimate guide on how to care for your engagement ring. I'll delve into all the tiny details of how to maintain the beauty and brilliance of your beloved engagement ring for many decades to come.

Understanding Your Engagement Ring

First and foremost, it's essential to understand the specifics of your engagement ring, including the type of metal, the gemstones, and the setting. Each element requires a different approach to care that ensures its longevity and brilliance.

Typical Precious Metals for Engagement Rings

Regardless of the metal, when you're not wearing your ring, store it in a soft-lined jewelry box or a fabric-lined ring holder. This prevents scratches on the metal, and if you have multiple rings, store them separately. Your jewelry pieces can scratch each other when not properly stored.

Now, let’s go over some typical engagement ring metals and how to care for them specifically…

Caring for Gold Engagement Rings

Whether it's classic yellow gold, chic white gold, or romantic rose gold, this versatile metal is a favorite for engagement rings. Gold engagement rings are fairly durable, but the metal can still be prone to scratches and dents, making it essential to handle with care. Solid gold is the most popular choice, both in yellow and white gold, 14K and 18K.

• Yellow Gold: This warm, classic metal will collect scratches due to its softness, especially 18K due to its higher content of pure gold. Use a polishing cloth to maintain its shine, but avoid excessive polishing, which can wear down the metal over time.
• White Gold: Often coated with rhodium to enhance its white appearance, white gold may lose its rhodium plating over time. Replating might be necessary every few years to keep it looking pristine.
• Rose Gold: Its unique blush color comes from mixing copper with gold. Regular cleaning and gentle handling are essential.

Caring for Platinum Engagement Rings

Renowned for its strength and naturally white sheen, platinum epitomizes luxury. It's more robust and heavier than gold, offering a substantial feel on your finger. As a top choice for bespoke engagement rings, platinum’s durability makes it less likely to wear down, although it can still scratch. Over time, platinum develops a patina, a dull, dark gray layer that can be easily cleaned off with a polishing cloth to restore its original brilliance.

Safe Gemstone Choices for Engagement Rings

Now, let's go over some of the best gemstone choices for engagement rings and why:

• Diamonds: Diamonds are the quintessential choice for engagement rings, symbolizing purity and eternal love. Known for their unmatched brilliance and hardness, diamonds are incredibly durable (10 on the Mohs scale). However, they can still be susceptible to scratches and chips and tend to attract oils and dirt, which can dull their sparkle.

To learn more about choosing the best diamond for your engagement ring, check out this blog post.

• Sapphires: Sapphires, particularly the deep blue variety, are a stunning alternative to diamonds. They symbolize wisdom and nobility and are nearly as hard as diamonds, making them a durable choice for daily wear (9 on the Mohs scale). Sapphires are also available in a range of colors, offering a unique twist on the traditional engagement ring. 

Learn more about one of my personal favorites — Montana sapphires — in this blog post.

• Rubies: Rubies, known for their fiery red color, signify passion and strength. They're as hard as sapphires (9 on the Mohs scale), making them a resilient option for engagement rings. Their bold and vibrant color adds a dramatic flair to any ring setting.
  
  
• Emeralds: Emeralds, with their rich green hue, represent rebirth and love. Although they're softer and more prone to scratches than diamonds and sapphires (7½ to 8 on the Mohs scale), their captivating color makes them a popular choice for those seeking something different and striking.
  

Caring for Your Engagement Ring’s Gemstone

As a general rule, keep your ring away from harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine, and household cleaners, which can dull the gemstones. Always remove your ring before using these substances.

You also want to avoid engaging in physical activity (like working out) while wearing your engagement ring. Impacts can chip or scratch your gems, and in the case of softer stones like emeralds, you could risk breaking them.  Have a look at our guide on how to choose a wedding ring based on your lifestyle to learn more about it!

Engagement Ring Settings and How to Clean Them

• Prong Setting: This classic setting uses metal prongs to hold the gemstone securely, allowing maximum light to pass through the stone for optimal brilliance. However, prongs can wear down or bend over time, risking the security of the gemstone. Regular inspections are essential to ensure the prongs remain tight and intact. Clean gently to avoid loosening the prongs.
• Bezel Setting: A modern and secure choice, the bezel setting encircles the gemstone with a thin metal rim, protecting it from damage while offering a sleek look. While very secure, bezels can collect dirt along the edges. If your ring has this setting, you should clean with a soft toothbrush to remove debris from the rim and ensure the gemstone’s sparkle is not diminished.
• Halo Setting: Featuring a central gemstone surrounded by smaller diamonds or gemstones, the halo setting enhances the overall sparkle and size of the center stone. Note that the small stones in a halo setting are more prone to becoming loose or damaged. Regular professional checks and careful cleaning with a soft toothbrush can help maintain the setting’s integrity and sparkle.
• Pavé Setting: This setting involves small diamonds set closely together along the band, creating a continuous sparkle that complements the central gemstone. Pavé settings are delicate and can lose stones if not handled carefully. Avoid harsh impacts and have a jeweler inspect the ring regularly. Clean gently to prevent dislodging the small stones.
• Vintage Setting: Inspired by antique designs, vintage settings often feature intricate details like milgrain, filigree, and engraving, adding a touch of timeless elegance. The intricate details can trap dirt and require meticulous cleaning. You can use a soft brush to clean crevices and consider professional cleaning to preserve the delicate design. Regular inspections are also necessary to ensure the setting remains secure.

As you can see, each setting has its benefits, but also quirks in how to care for them and clean it. Just make sure you understand yours and keep it nice and shining!

Engagement Ring Care Tips

After you know the specific features of your engagement ring and how to tend to them, you can complement it with some general cleaning routine.

• At Home: To keep your ring shining bright, clean it regularly at home. Create a gentle solution with warm water and a mild dish soap, I recommend Dawn. Soak your ring for about 20–30 minutes, then use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub around the diamond and setting. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Professional Cleaning: For a deeper clean, take your ring to a professional jeweler every six months. They have the tools and expertise to clean hard-to-reach areas and restore the ring’s sparkle. When you purchase an engagement ring from me, cleanings are on the house.
• Regular Inspections: Have your ring inspected by a jeweler at least once a year. They can check for loose settings, prongs, or any other potential issues that could lead to losing a gemstone.

Insurance and Appraisals

• Insurance: Given the value of high-end engagement rings, insuring your ring is crucial. Make sure your policy covers theft, loss, and damage. Regularly update the insurance to reflect the current value of the ring.
• Appraisals: Get your ring appraised by a certified gemologist when you purchase it, and then periodically to adjust for market changes in value.

By following these tips, you can ensure your symbol of love remains as stunning as the day you first wore it. A well-cared-for ring retains its value and continues to be a testament to your style and the beautiful journey of your love story.

Explore our engagement rings collection to discover unique pieces that will last generations!