Engagement Ring Users Guide: Dos & Don'ts
Your engagement ring isn't just any piece of jewelry: it's the shining symbol of your love story. Every time you see your ring, it's a dazzling reminder of the journey you're embarking on with the person you love most in the world. So how do you keep this precious piece shining bright forever?
Fortunately, your diamond, whether it's mined from the Earth or grown in a lab, is incredibly durable. Diamond is the hardest substance on earth! It isn't indestructible, of course, but with a little basic care and TLC, it will be just as beautiful a century from now as it is today. By following a few simple dos and don'ts you can make sure that your lab grown diamond engagement ring sparkles bright for generations to come.
Do Take Care of Your Engagement Ring
Do wear your engagement ring every day so you can enjoy it all the time. It's designed and crafted to be your daily companion. You'll love seeing how it sparkles in different kinds of light. When a bright beam of sunlight hits it, you'll get a dose of dramatic sparkles and rainbows. At Brilliant Carbon, all our lab grown diamonds are carefully proportioned and polished so that they are just as beautiful by romantic candlelight (and they even sparkle in the diffuse kind of office lighting that makes everyone look tired.)
Do slide from the side: when taking your engagement ring on or off, hold it from each side of the band and slide it along your ring finger. Never pull your ring on or off by the stone. Not only does it leave fingerprints and tiny traces of oil that can dull your diamond's brilliance, over time you can loosen the secure hold that the metal of the setting has on the stone.
Do keep your gorgeous gem shining bright by giving your engagement ring regular spa treatments. Soak your ring in warm water mixed with mild dish soap for 20 minutes. Then, use a soft brush to gently reach behind the stones where dust can collect. Finally, let it air dry on a soft cloth, and voilà—your ring is ready for the spotlight.
Do make a home for your engagement ring where you always store it when you aren't wearing it, like when you are sleeping or at the gym. You can use the original box, a jewelry case or box, a small pouch, a dish, or a ring holder. Having a designated place for your ring helps to make sure you'll never misplace it. Your engagement ring will always be there waiting to help you shine.
Do insure your engagement ring. Regular homeowner or renter insurance policies don’t cover your fine jewelry. You need a separate policy or rider to make sure that you can replace your ring if anything were ever to happen to it.
Do wear your engagement ring your way. You can express your style by adding and stacking other rings to complement your engagement ring. Try a lab diamond anniversary ring to celebrate your journey together. A lab diamond band can also celebrate a personal milestone or the birth of a child.
Don't Take Risks with Your Engagement Ring
Don't take your engagement ring for a swim. Sand, saltwater, sunscreen, and chemicals from the pool can abrade or react with the alloys in the metal of your ring, dulling its shine. And cool water shrinks your finger so that your ring might slide right off your finger. The beach is the riskiest place of all to wear an engagement ring. More rings are lost in the surf than in any other place. Once your engagement ring hits the water, it's easy to lose track of it. In fact, it's so common that there are companies in many vacation areas that specialize in using metal detectors to look for lost engagement rings at local beaches. Don't let that be you!
Don't be that person who takes off their ring in public places. We've all seen it happen: someone takes off a ring to wash their hands and it falls down the drain, never to be seen again. (Or you turn away for a minute and it gets snatched.) It's best to keep your ring on safe and sound while out and about. When you're travelling, take extra care. If your hotel room has a safe, use it to store your engagement ring when you aren't wearing it. Avoid leaving your ring in plain sight when you aren’t in your room.
Don't put lotions and creams on your engagement ring. Diamonds are oleophilic: they attract oil which will temporarily dull their brilliance. Apply oils, lotions, creams and cosmetics first, then put on your ring to keep it sparkling clean. And if you take off your ring near a sink, make sure the drain is closed.
Don't clean your house while wearing your engagement ring. Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, scouring powder and acids are too harsh for your jewelry. Cleansers often have chemicals and abrasives that can damage or stain the metal of your ring. When cleaning around the house, safely store your ring to avoid accidental exposure.
Don't wear your engagement ring while you are playing sports or exercising. You don't want to accidentally dislodge the stone during a workout. High impact activities like tennis, pickleball, basketball or soccer could damage your ring or bend it out of shape. Don’t wear your ring during activities that put it in contact with abrasive or hard surfaces, like kayaking, swimming at the beach, lifting weights, camping, rock climbing or crossfit. Hitting your ring could bend prongs and compromise the strength of its setting or leave damage like scratches and dings in the metal of your ring.
Treat your engagement ring like the precious thing it is and you'll keep it shining bright throughout all the stages of your life. After all, it deserves to shine bright forever, just like your never-ending love story.
