Care Tips for Precious Engagement Rings
All jewelry is valuable because it will cost a lot of money to replace if lost or irreparably damaged; but items like engagement rings and wedding rings have such sentimental value attached to them that it would be heartbreaking to lose one. Simply replacing it with a brand new one wouldn’t be the same. So it pays dividends to really take good care of this type of jewelry. For many people, their wedding rings are simple and plain in design, just precious metal bands made of yellow or white gold. Looking after these is fairly simple, as most of the time they just require a quick clean to remove any grime that has built up over time. And perhaps an occasional professional polish at the jeweler’s store might be a good idea, in case there are any tiny scratches dulling the surface.
Engagement rings are a different matter as they normally consist of a metal band containing a softer metal setting and a valuable gemstone. Some gemstones, for example diamond, are very hard and tend to be resistant to scratches and other damage. However, the other gems are not so robust, especially emeralds, so it is important to make sure you don’t wear these when bashing around doing the housework; otherwise you will be down the jeweler’s asking them to source a replacement stone because the original chipped or cracked. Always store your gemstone rings in their individual boxes when you are not wearing them, so they don’t rub against each other and cause damage.
Most white gold engagement bands present several possible problems, depending on the wearer. The white gold alloy for the ring itself contains nickel, which is a toxic metal that can cause irritation to some people’s skin. Generally, the white color of this material is actually due to a very thin plate of rhodium, but this can be worn away over time, either by being cleaned with materials that are too abrasive, or simply because of wear and tear. It is a good idea to get the ring replated every few years if this happens, especially if you have exposed the bare alloy, and the nickel is beginning to cause itchiness or a rash.
With a white gold engagement ring, the setting is usually made from a gold and palladium alloy, which is softer, so you need to be careful when polishing, in order not to dislodge the diamond. The best policy for these important rings is firstly to get them insured in case the worst ever does happen; but for peace of mind, it is best to pay some extra money to get them cleaned and polished professionally when they need sprucing up.
