Ring Care Guide
Rings are some of our favourite accessories for all sorts of occasions, from wedding and engagement rings to promise rings and signet rings. Some rings are filled with sentimental value and meaning while others help you to express your personal style. No matter what your rings mean to you, it's important that you look after them to ensure that they stay looking beautiful and shiny for years to come.
Whether you rock the timeless quality of gold rings or you are more of a silver person, you can take a few simple steps to care for your ring from storage to cleaning and things to avoid - we’ve it all wrapped up in this guide.
Overview:
- Gold ring care
- Care for white gold ring
- How to care for platinum ring
- How to care for an engagement ring
Gold Ring Care
Gold rings are one of the most sought after metals for rings as they are timeless, luxurious and durable for all day wear. It’s important that you verify whether your ring is gold plated or gold filled. Rings that are gold plated are more likely to tarnish, so it’s important that you treat them with extra care during the cleaning process. Additionally, if your gold plated jewellery has already begun to tarnish, then some blemishes will be harder to remove. Overall, gold is a durable metal, but it is also soft and can dull over time, hence with regular care, you can ensure that it stays looking lustrous for years to come.
AVOID CHEMICALS
As an overarching tip, avoid exposing your jewellery to harsh chemicals. Now, what you consider “harsh” may not be what gold considers harsh; this includes perfume, lotion, hairspray, cleaning products, chlorine, bleach and more! Hence, it is best to remove your rings when cleaning, swimming, using household chemicals or even when you’re getting ready for the day. This will help your rings to last longer and stay looking shiny and clean.
STORAGE
Gold is relatively soft metal, and so it can easily be scratched by other jewellery pieces such as gemstones, diamonds, stainless steel and more. Store your gold rings in a separate jewellery box or use a soft pouch to stop it from coming into contact with other items.
CLEANING
To keep your gold rings looking the best, you need to clean them regularly. To begin, use a mild dish soap with warm water as your cleaning mixture. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away any dirt or debris that may have accumulated - even if you can’t see it! Rinse the ring with clean water and polish dry with a microfibre cloth. You would be surprised how clean and shiny your ring looks after a simple clean, and doing this on a regular basis will help to maintain its longevity.
BE CAREFUL
Protect your gold ring from physical damage such as scratches, knocks and bumps to make sure that they stay beautiful. While we know that you love your gold rings and want to wear them all the time, sometimes it’s best to give them a break. When doing activities such as playing sports, gardening, lifting heavy objects or using your hands a lot, then be sure to take your rings off.
Care for white gold rings
White gold is another popular gold choice for rings, and is an alloy of gold that has a lovely crisp, white colour and shiny lustre. Caring for white gold rings is very similar to caring for all gold rings in general and you should take into consideration the tips outlined above.
In addition to this, white gold does have a tendency to lose its white colour over time and does have a slightly yellowish tint. This is why many jewellers advise that you have your white gold rings coated in rhodium. Rhodium plating is not a necessity for white gold, however, it is common practice to enhance its appearance and increase longevity to give it a bright, white and shiny look.
Over time, rhodium plating will wear off, exposing the underlying white gold and causing it to appear yellow. It’s important to note that some people prefer the natural look of white gold, while others prefer the stark white finish that rhodium plating gives - so it is completely up to you which route you decide to take.
If you do choose to get your white gold jewellery rhodium plated, then you will need to get it re-plated periodically. The time in between coatings will depend on how much your ring is exposed to everyday wear and tear. A professional jeweller can advise you when it is time to refresh your ring’s rhodium.
How to Care for platinum rings
Platinum is a durable and dense metal that is perfect for rings that are made to be worn every day with their incredible strength. Platinum rings are known for their beauty and elegance, and are perfect for heirloom jewellery because of how well they maintain their longevity. If you have sensitive skin, then platinum is an ideal choice because it is made from a solid element - rather than being an alloy with a mix of other metals that can cause reactions in some people.
Over time, platinum can lose its lustre, platinum develops something called patina. This refers to a change in surface texture and colour that gives off a frosted look. Some people actually prefer this look, and want their platinum jewellery to have a rougher, more textured look. But not to worry, you aren’t doomed to boasting patina on your rings if you don’t want it. Polishing can remove this patina and get it back to its shiny, original state.
The best way to clean platinum is to use a jewellery cleaner specifically for platinum, such as the Connoisseur Liquid Jewellery Cleaner or get your jewellery professionally cleaned by a jeweller.
How to Care for engagement rings
STORAGE
For something as special as an engagement ring, we suggest finding your ring its very own jewellery box for at home storage. This means that you will always know where to find your special engagement ring, as well as ensuring that it isn’t damaged by other jewellery.
One of our favourite hot tips is to get a small travel jewellery box to hold your rings when you are out and about. You never know when you’re unexpectedly going to go for a swim or play a game of sport. Putting your engagement ring in a travel box will ensure that it stays safe and sound while you’re off living your life to the fullest!
HAVE YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING INSPECTED
At least once a year you should have a professional jeweller inspect your engagement ring. They will be able to ensure that all of the prongs and setting are secure and that the stones are in good condition. They can also give it a professional clean and polish.
CLEANING
We know that it can seem like a task to clean your rings regularly. You always say you’re going to do it, but it is one of those things that just keeps getting put off. Well, take this as a sign that today is the day that you clean your engagement ring! Regular cleaning will uphold your ring’s shine and longevity. You can clean your ring with a mild soap and warm water, using a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the surface. You can also use a jewellery cleaning solution specifically formulated for your ring's type of metal and gemstones. Avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that can scratch or damage the ring.
