The Do's and Don'ts of Taking Care of Your Engagement Ring

Do's and Don'ts

You've spent months, perhaps years, dreaming of the perfect engagement ring. Now that it's a permanent fixture on your left hand, you'll want to ensure it stays just as shiny and sparkly for many years to come. From the chemicals to avoid to where to store your ring, here are a few do's and dont's on how to care for your engagement sparkler.

Do purchase insurance

"Insurance is necessary to protect your financial investment in the event that something gets lost, stolen or damaged," explains jewelry designer Sylvie Levine. "It is also important to have your jewelry appraised every five years as the cost of diamonds and precious metals go up. If you were to lose something which was appraised 10 years ago, the insured value would be far less than the actual replacement cost."

Don't Remove Your Ring in Public

Hand washing is a must in a public restroom but resist the temptation to remove your engagement ring while you're lathering up. The possibility that you might leave your ring on the ledge of the sink, or, worse, drop it down the drain, is too great a risk to take.

Do Keep Your Ring Clean

"Cleaning your gems with random cleaners at home is something I do not recommend," says LA-based jeweler Susan Foster of Susan Foster Jewelry. "Elizabeth Taylor would clean her 33.19 carat Krupp diamond ring with hot water, a toothbrush, and gin; however, taking your precious and sentimental engagement ring to an expert jeweler to get it properly steamed clean would be my recommendation."

Don't Treat Your Ring with Harsh Chemicals

"Remove your ring when cleaning or touching harsh chemicals," explains Susan. "Bleach and other cleaning agents can dull the finish of a ring and actually harm porous colored gemstones like emeralds."

Don't Put Your Ring Through Needless Wear and Tear

"A diamond is one of the world's hardest natural materials," explains Adelaide Polk-Bauman of Forevermark, "but that doesn't mean a cut and polished diamond cannot chip! Sometimes the table of a cut diamond can be susceptible to wear and tear. Be sure not to knock it against other hard materials."

Do Schedule Monthly Maintenance Appointments with Your Jeweler

"It is very important to schedule maintenance appointments with your jeweler at least once a year to make sure the prongs are tight, the diamond isn't loose and there are no hairline cracks in the shank," says Susan. "All around maintenance is vital."

Don't Get Ring Envy

Every bride has a different idea as to what her dream engagement ring will look like. Once you have that shiny stone on your finger, don't start comparing your ring with anyone else's. An engagement ring is a symbol of a couple's love and devotion, not a sign of status.