The average American spends roughly $5,871 on an engagement ring. Obviously, with that price tag, along with the incalculable sentimental value an engagement ring carries, you want to make sure you're taking care of it properly.
When it comes to maintaining your engagement ring, there may be a few things you have never thought about before. Use the engagement ring care tips here to learn more.
6 Essential Engagement Ring Care Tips
If you want to make sure your ring is as gorgeous as it was on the day your fiancee gave it to you, you'll want to heed these engagement ring care tips.
1. Give it a Soak
All sorts of things get caked up on your ring with daily use. You don't even have to do anything very intensive to get all sorts of dirt, oils, and other debris stuck to your ring.
Because of this, you'll want to soak your ring in a solution of warm water and a touch of dish liquid every now and then. Then scrub it with a soft toothbrush to get some of the more stubborn dirt off.
Alternatively, you can soak your ring in equal parts ammonia and cold water.
2. Visit Your Jeweler Regularly
Like going to the doctor, you'll want to visit your jeweler at least twice a year to get your ring checked on. Your jeweler can give your ring a more professional steam-clean and fix the prongs keeping your diamond attached if they've gotten loose.
3. Protect it from Chemicals
Not to use such a gendered assumption, but if you're cleaning the bathroom, doing dishes, you'll want to take your ring off.
Really, any task that requires the use of harsh, powerful chemicals can be bad for your ring in the long-term. They'll erode the metal or steal its shine over time.
4. Take it Off While Swimming
You should take your ring off when swimming for two reasons. The first is - again - chemical related. Pools are filled with chlorine and other chemicals that can damage your ring.
Secondly, our fingers tend to shrivel up when they get cold, which can jar your ring loose, causing it to fall off. If you're in a pool, it won't be so hard to track down, but if you're whitewater rafting or canoeing, you'll risk losing it for good.
5. Insure it
The easiest and most proactive way to care for your ring is to simply get it insured. You can do this a few ways. You can add a jewelry addendum to a different insurance policy like your homeowner's insurance.
You can also cover it with a separate policy with a specialty jewelry insurer. Most of these policies will cover you just losing it, but it'll protect it against theft and damage.
Need More Jewelry Advice?
With these engagement ring care tips, you shouldn't have to ever worry about keeping your ring safe and polished.
And if you're looking to upgrade your ring purchase or spruce up your current one, check out our guide on colored diamond rings.
You hopefully only make one of these types of purchases in your lifetime, so you need to make sure your ring is perfectly designed and cared for.