What Is the Best Way to Take Care of an Engagement Ring?


Your engagement ring will be one of the most important and sentimental items of jewelry you ever own (and likely the most expensive). 

When you first get engaged, you’ll spend a lot of time staring at the sparkling ring on your engagement finger and admiring its beauty. But you’ll also spend a fair amount of time worrying about things like: What if I lose it? Should I wear it to sleep? How do I keep it clean? Should I take it off when I shower?

You might be surprised to know these are all very common questions. After all, your partner will have spent a lot of time choosing your engagement ring, so it’s no surprise people want to take good care of them. 

In this article, we share the best ways to take care of an engagement ring so that you can look after yours properly.

Store Your Ring Carefully

Most people choose to take their ring off when they go to bed. However, everyone is different. Whenever you choose to remove your engagement ring, you should store it in a ring box. This will protect your ring from becoming scratched or damaged. It also prevents loss as you know where your ring is at all times. Remember that correctly storing your engagement ring will avoid tarnishing and increase the longevity of your ring.

Image credit: June Admiraal

Some people place ring dishes around their house so they can take their rings off and store them safely while they jump in the shower or tackle the dishes. It’s another way to avoid losing your ring and is a great option if you’re always popping your ring on and off throughout the day.

Obtain Engagement Ring Insurance

Engagement rings can be pricey. And even if yours wasn’t that expensive, they hold a lot of meaning. So, the last thing you want to do is lose or misplace it.

However, whether you drop it down the plughole or lose it while gardening, accidents do happen and engagement ring loss is a possibility.

That’s why one of the best ways you can take care of your engagement ring is to insure it. You can insure your ring up to its complete value, depending on the insurer, and enjoy full protection whether you’re inside or outside of your home. 

Engagement ring insurance is a must and the first thing on our list of essentials when it comes to taking care of your ring.

Clean Your Engagement Ring Regularly

On the day you get engaged, your ring will look gorgeous and sparkly. However, over time it can become dulled. After all, we use our hands for many tasks throughout the day, so it doesn’t take long for dirt to build up. 

Cleaning your engagement ring regularly is the best way to combat this problem and keep your ring in sparkling condition for longer. Many people choose to take their engagement ring to a jeweller for professional steam cleaning.

However, if you can’t afford the professional service, it’s perfectly fine to clean your engagement ring at home. Some engagement rings will come with a care package that provides a cleaning solution and soft-bristled brush. If so, you can use these as directed on the packaging.

For those of us going it alone, you can use a few simple household items. A soft bristled brush (such as a baby toothbrush) allows you to scrub away dirt, while a 5-10 minute soak in witch hazel or white vinegar will restore your rings shiny appearance. You should aim to clean your ring every 1-2 weeks to avoid dirt and bacteria build-up.

Avoid Playing with Your Ring

If you’re not used to wearing a ring, wearing an engagement ring for the first time can feel a little bit strange. In fact, you might find yourself playing with the ring a lot throughout the day. While this can be soothing – and often reassuring for those worried about losing their ring – over time it can cause wear and tear.

If you want your engagement ring to last for many years, you should do your best not to play with it. You should avoid twisting it around on your fingers and touching the diamond. 

This also applies to removing your ring. Rather than grabbing the stone and pulling it off that way, grip the band on either side and slip it off your finger. Removing your engagement ring this way helps protect the stone from damage or displacement.

Do Not Remove Your Ring in Public

This might seem like an obvious point, however too many people remove their engagement ring while washing their hands in public restrooms and either forget their ring and leave it on the counter or, worse still, knock it into the sink and down the plughole.

Image credit: Kazzle John Delbo

If you want to take care of your engagement ring, do not remove it in public. Keep it on until you get home where you can remove and store it safely.

Avoid Cleaning with Harsh Chemicals

Whenever you’re cleaning with harsh chemicals, it is (of course) important to wear gloves! This is highly recommended as it protects your skin. However, it also protects your engagement ring from damage.

Engagement rings were not made to come into contact with harsh chemicals and exposure to them can cause damage to the metal. This makes it more likely to break or become dull and lose its shine. If your ring is sterling silver, you may notice that it may tarnish.

So, be careful when using harsh chemicals and always be sure to protect yourself and your jewelry.

Protect the Diamond

We all know that diamonds are tough and very hard to break. However, they are not invincible. Despite being the hardest naturally occurring metal in the world, it is possible to damage a diamond.

Diamonds can become damaged by sudden hard impact. If you damage your ring in this way it’s likely you will chip or damage the diamond. So, this is worth noting. If you are doing DIY, working in construction, or taking part in activities such as rock climbing, it is best to leave your ring at home so that it’s not at risk of damage. Learn more about diamonds here.

Routinely Check Your Ring for Damage

Once you get used to wearing your engagement ring, it’s easy to forget about it. And while this is a sign you’ve become comfortable wearing your ring every day, it can also be problematic as you don’t realise there’s a problem until it’s too late. 

As such, it’s important to check your ring regularly for signs of damage. Carefully check the ring’s prongs and setting and the diamond or stone itself. Routinely checking your ring helps you spot any problems early on and take action if needed.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, you can ask a jewelry specialist to check the ring for you and advise you on any upkeep that is required. 

Routinely checking your ring in this way is important for noting breakages and other issues so they can be fixed to avoid permanent damage or ring loss.

Final Words

We hope this article has provided you with some helpful insights into engagement ring care. Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge, you can take good care of your engagement ring so that it lasts for many years to come.