Congratulations! Not only have you found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, but you’re now the proud owner of a sparkling, new engagement ring. For many people, an engagement ring is the first piece of fine jewelry they’ve ever owned, so it’s no surprise that many recently engaged couples aren’t too sure about how they should properly care for their new ring. Here are some important things to keep in mind to ensure that gorgeous new ring of yours remains in great condition for years to come.

1. Clean your ring regularly. Things like dirt, oil, makeup, and lotion can all stick to your engagement ring and dull your gemstones. You can clean your engagement ring at home with warm water, dish soap, and a soft toothbrush or you can bring it into a local jewelry store to have it professionally cleaned.
2. Do not remove your ring in public. You may be tempted to remove your ring at a public restroom when washing your hands, but don’t. Doing so increases the chances of accidentally leaving your ring behind or having it stolen.
3. Be careful around hard objects. If you’re someone who moves your hands around a lot, you’re going to want to pay extra attention to making sure you don’t accidentally bump your ring against any doors, desks, tables, or walls. Doing so can potentially chip the gemstones and damage the ring.
4. Don’t wear your ring while doing strenuous activities, like exercising, gardening, or cleaning. Certain cleaning chemicals can discolor your ring and damage the metal. We also recommend taking your ring off when cooking since food can become trapped in any of the ring’s small openings.
5. If your ring catches on clothes or sheets, bring it into a jeweler to be checked. Having your ring catch on certain items is a sign that a prong may have been lifted, which is a bad sign for the security of your gemstones.
6. Don’t wear your engagement ring when swimming. Chlorine is known to ruin the rhodium finish of white gold rings. It can even cause the prongs on your ring to become brittle, possibly leading to gemstone loss. Cold water also causes your fingers to shrink, increasing the likelihood of your engagement ring accidentally slipping off your finger.
7. Have a go-to place to store your engagement ring when you’re not wearing it. Whether you place your ring in a small dish or keep it locked up in a jewelry box, having a single location where you store your engagement ring ensures you’ll always know where to find it when you’re not wearing it. Just make sure your storage location is out of reach of any children or pets and is far away from any drains, which brings us to our next point…
8. Don’t wear your engagement ring when showering. The ring can easily slip off your finger and fall down the drain when it’s all lathered in soap and water. Soap buildup can also dull the finish and gemstones on your engagement ring.
9. Purchase insurance. Accidents happen so it’s always a good idea to purchase insurance just in case something tragic happens to your ring. You should research all of your ring insurance options, but one we always recommend to our clients is Jewelers Mutual, which is a Wisconsin based company that specializes in insuring fine jewelry.
10. Bring your engagement ring to a professional jeweler at least once a year to have it checked. Prongs can become worn, shanks can split, and gemstones can loosen over time. This is why it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional jeweler who can give you piece of mind.

If you have any questions regarding caring for your engagement ring, call Kloiber Jewelers at 414-276-2457 or email us at info@kloiberjewelers.com.