5 Simple Tips for Caring for Your Engagement Ring or Wedding Bands
Engagement rings have been lost and then found washed up on beaches, in the crack of a sidewalk, and around at least two garden carrots. One even turned up in an ice bucket. We get why these stories make headlines. Engagement rings and wedding bands are such a meaningful purchase for couples, and the thought of losing or damaging your ring is pretty scary. You don't have to bundle your h and in bubble wrap though. All you need is a few do's and don'ts on ring care, and we've made the short list of tips memorable with help from incredibly talented illustrator K-Fai Steele. These beautiful drawings reflect the personal style that Bario Neal brings to custom jewelry. "At the end of the day, jewelry is about people and relationships, not about the individual pieces of gold," K-Fai says. We totally agree.
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![Illustration of Bario Neal customers shopping]()
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Your wedding rings are special, and they should definitely bring more happiness than worry. Our engagement ring and wedding b and clients stay part of the Bario Neal family. So if you're ever concerned about jewelry care, please get in touch!
Jewelry Care Tip #1: Yes, sometimes you have to take your engagement ring off.
Your engagement ring or wedding b and is likely designed for daily wear. (When you're picking out your ring or working with us on a custom design, the Bario Neal team will talk about which ethically mined metals and gemstones best fit your lifestyle.) That said, protect a ring by taking it off when doing activities that could damage the metal and/or gemstones. You will want to remove your ring when gardening (see "carrots," above), doing the dishes, working out, rock climbing, and sailing. H2O lovers, note: There's a reason you see metal detectors on the beach. Rings easily slip off as fingers shrink in the water at the ocean (or in a swimming pool). We also recommend you take your engagement ring off while sleeping and before bathing (that water warning!). To stow your wedding rings temporarily at home, put them in the same safe and secure spot every time. Don't put your jewelry by the sink or within a child's reach! (See our Senna Tall Black Enamel B and and Octillo Studs resting easy in a dish on a high cabinet in illustration below.)
Jewelry Care Tip #2: Cleaning your engagement ring is easy.
Wearing your ring every day means that it will get dirty and need a good cleaning. Do NOT use any kind of chemical cleaner. This can damage your ring. Most jewelry should be cleaned with a gentle little bath. Put a small amount of regular dish soap into a bowl of barely warm water, and soak for 5 minutes. Gently clean behind the settings and around the stones with a soft bristled toothbrush. Then wipe dry with a soft cloth. One strict exception: opals. If you have a piece like our Cluster Opal and Morganite Ring, remember that opals should never be submerged in water. (Just use a very soft cloth dampened with warm, soapy water to wipe clean, and speak with us directly about a more thorough cleaning.) You can bring your ring back to that br and-new look with a professional cleaning at Bario Neal too. If you take it to another jeweler for cleaning, be sure to give them the details on ALL the stones in your ring. This should ensure they won't do any damage.
Jewelry Care Tip #3: Get a checkup for your engagement ring.
We use our h ands constantly, so daily wear and tear means you'll need to put some love and repair into your ring. Don't panic if you notice a loose stone in your engagement ring. Bumps to the ring can shift or loosen stones over time. Do have the stones checked for security annually. If you lose a stone, see any damage, or find cracks in an enamel ring, get in touch with the Bario Neal team to have your ring spruced up. Definitely wear your rings with care"” and don't try to DIY!
Jewelry Care Tip #4: Getting insurance for your wedding rings is a simple stress reliever.
Protect your purchase, and know that you'll be covered even if your engagement ring gets knocked into a lake because you took it off to eat a big, juicy burger. (Errr, see Tip #1 above.) You can add your wedding rings to your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, or get a dedicated policy specific to jewelry. If you need additional paperwork, or want information on getting an appraisal, get in touch with the Bario Neal team.
Jewelry Care Tip #5: Yes, you can refresh your scratched engagement ring.
Like you, your ring will change over time. The first place where this is noticeable is in the finish. Daily wear creates tiny scratches on the surface of the metal, giving every ring its own unique patina. High polish and matte finishes will all move toward a satin finish over time. If you'd like to refresh your finish for your wedding or another big event, get in touch with us!
Your wedding rings are special, and they should definitely bring more happiness than worry. Our engagement ring and wedding b and clients stay part of the Bario Neal family. So if you're ever concerned about jewelry care, please get in touch!