Engagement rings are a testament to a person’s commitment towards their loved one. This reason alone should suffice to treat them with extreme zeal and watchfulness.
Things get even trickier when dealing with diamond engagement rings. Diamonds are renowned for their hardness and resistance to the elements, but they require significant maintenance work, regardless.
Below are some tips to help a diamond engagement ring preserve its pristine glow.
Diamonds Are Not Shatterproof!
There’s this ongoing myth that diamonds – arguably the hardest naturally-occurring minerals on the planet – are virtually indestructible. However, this faulty notion is easily refuted by the fact that diamonds can be cut. If cutting a diamond is possible, then it stands to reason that it may also break or chip, even if secured in the tightest prong mounting.
For this reason, owners should not skimp on looking for safe places to store their rings, free from potential accidental blows.
Take It Off At the Right Places
There is no worse place to place an engagement ring than near a bathroom sink, especially one situated in a public location such as a restaurant. Sometimes, the best course of action is to leave the ring at home or stow it in a purse – or, better yet, a ring box – before a hand wash.
Engagement ring bearers should also be wary about taking their expensive diamond ring to the beach, for prolonged exposure to salt water is known to cause one’s fingers to shrink, making it, therefore, easier for the ring to slip off and wander with the waves and fishes.
Diamonds and precious metals should not suffer considerable damage upon contact with sand. That said, sand grains can still leak within the metal framing, making it lose its grip on the diamond.
Sometimes It’s Better to Carry a Fake
In line with the advice given above, people self-conscious about their own carelessness might consider getting a replica or a cheaper ring that could serve as a placeholder for the “real thing.” This helps them attain peace of mind knowing that their irreplaceable original is out of harm’s way.
Check The Prongs
A regular “prong check” is not only commendable but even necessary. Nonetheless, this doesn’t entail that the check should be mandatorily performed by a professional jeweller. If the ring is a classic platinum solitaire, the bearer can examine it for any signs of damage.
Another way to test the prong’s status is by grabbing the ring with two fingers, placing it against one’s ear and shaking it. If there’s so much as a chink or click, the prongs may have been compromised or in need of tightening.
Avoid Contact with Abrasives
When one needs to do some deep cleaning around the house, it’s always recommended to take off any rings, especially diamond engagement rings.
This advice is mainly directed at people who are wont to use bleach and other harsh household cleaners, as these tend to damage the ring’s metal, especially if it’s an alloy.
Clean the Ring
This should go without saying, but dirt buildups will naturally take a toll on the diamond’s natural lustre.
Luckily, cleaning diamond engagement rings is not overly challenging. Normally, this procedure would essentially consists of the following steps:
- Immerse the ring in warm, soapy water for a few minutes (or hours).
- Scrub gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Rinse and pat the ring dry.
This task is best performed once every two weeks at least, especially by people who wear the ring consistently.
Covering the drain while cleaning the ring is crucial to prevent it from going down accidentally.
Choose The Best Quality Diamond!
Not all diamonds are endowed with the same quality and, hence, the same endurance. A poorly-cut diamond will correspondingly be a more vulnerable one.
Diamond providers like Rare Carat only offer cut grades ranging from good to excellent because their focus is on quality and uniqueness. What’s more, RareCarat reviews are consistently good across sites like Google Business Profile and Trustpilot, so this endorsement is not unwarranted.
You can likewise check RareCarat’s handy guide on lab-grown diamonds over at https://www.rarecarat.com/education/diamonds-guide/lab-grown-diamonds.
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