Whether it's your engagement ring, your go-to ring stack, or that necklace you wear every day, your jewelry collection likely features some of the most precious items you own both financially and sentimentally.
We are sharing the most important (and easy!) tips to keeping your engagement ring, necklaces, rings, pendants, and bracelets as dazzling as the day you first put it on. While jewelry can wear and get damaged over time, the good news is that by incorporating a few precautions and maintenance habits now, you can make sure your jewelry shines for years to come!
The Must-Knows of Jewelry Cleaning
Avoid harsh chemical residue.
The first step to keeping beautiful jewelry is to avoid damaging it. Chemicals from everyday products ( like the ones in perfume, sunscreen, and lotion) can add residue to gold and gemstones, which can cause potential damage. Make it a habit to remove your jewelry before applying products that may be made with harmful chemicals.
Clean your well-loved pieces at home with mild solutions.
Regularly wash your engagement ring and other commonly-worn pieces at home by soaking it in a mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid for roughly 30 minutes before gently scrubbing them with a soft bristle toothbrush.
You can also clean metals and precious stones with baking soda with its mild, non-abrasive consistency that makes it perfect for cleaning . Simply pour a bit of baking soda into a bowl and mix it with a bit of warm water to create a soft paste. Take off your ring and use your fingers to gently rub the paste around the stone, the setting, and the ring. Rinse the ring in warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.
Keep a go-to safe spot.
Whether you always take your jewelry off to sleep or shower, or if you only remove it when you really must, it's wise to have a designated spot for your engagement ring and other daily pieces. Whether you choose a specific area in your jewelry box, or a small dish on your dresser, having a go-to location will cut down on the chances of forgetting where you put it.
Restore shine to white gold and platinum.
No matter what care you give your jewelry, every white gold ring will start to dull and a yellow hue will start to shine through. This is natural and unavoidable, but the gold’s original sheen can be easily restored through a process called Rhodium plating.
While platinum rings do not need Rhodium treatments as platinum does not originally start off as yellow, those who want a shinier look to their platinum engagement ring can opt to have their platinum band plated for more shine.
Consider an alternative ring.
Many brides are choosing to rely on a “backup ring” to supplement their engagement ring. This ring is an alternate to your engagement ring that is often less valuable and can be worn without worry of it getting lost or damaged. When you don't want to put your engagement ring at risk (a long day at the beach or gardening, for example), leave the real bling at home and opt for a ring of lesser value.
Get insurance.
As with any serious investment, it's wise to consider getting insurance for your engagement ring. While it might be emotionally difficult to ever have to replace your engagement ring, knowing you wouldn't have the financial upset if you ever did lose it can be more than worth it.
Schedule professional cleanings.
Our jewelers at Pageo Jewelers, are happy to give your jewelry a thorough, professional cleaning. Not only will we clean your jewelry, but we will examine it under magnification to make sure the prongs and clasps are secure, and to check for fractures and loose stones. It is wise to have your ring and other commonly-worn jewelry professionally cleaned twice a year to maintain the structural integrity and keep it as dazzling as the first day.
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"Went to Pageo to see about designing a ring. I wanted to take the stones from a couple of rings that I owned and put them in a more contemporary setting.
I worked with Lauren and Hillary, both of whom were fabulous. Lauren worked with me on a ring design and delivered a finished product that was EXACTLY what I had dreamed of. Additionally, I used one of the stones for a necklace that was even more beautiful than I could have imagined.
It took some time from beginning to end, but it was worth the wait. I couldn't be more pleased with the quality of the work and the professional, friendly service!" — Louise K. on Yelp