Where should I keep my ring while traveling?

First and foremost, Akmakjian says you should consider what sort of activities you'll be doing on your trip. If you'll be spending lots of time in the water and sand–which is quite abrasive–you may want to leave your ring at home. If you decide to bring your ring, she says it's safest to keep it on you at all times. "The safest place is for the ring to be on my hand or on my person," says Akmakjian. "Never check a bag with your jewelry. Always keep it in your carry-on or on you." To keep your ring safe when it's not in your hands, invest in a secure ring box.

How often should I clean my ring?

To keep your engagement ring nice and sparkly, it's a good idea to clean it once a week at home. Then once or twice a year, you can bring it back to the jewelers for a professional cleaning and to ensure all the stones are tightly in place.

Do I need insurance for my engagement ring?

Just like with car or home insurance, engagement ring insurance is one of those things that you hope you'll never need to use, but when something does happen, you'll be grateful you have it. "This type of jewelry is emotional," says Akmakjian. "It’s very heartbreaking when anything happens to it." She recommends shopping around for a standalone jewelry plan that best suits your needs and budget. Most engagement ring insurance policies cover rings against damage, loss, and theft.

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The Top Items You Need to Care for Engagement Ring, According to a Jewelry Expert

By

Emily Cieslak

Updated on November 05, 2024 08:25AM

Items to Care for Engagement Ring — Brides / David Hattan

In This Article

PUDDING CABIN Boho Ring Dish Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik RingHero Wristband SANQIANWAN Portable Ring Box

SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad What to Look for When Caring for an Engagement Ring Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust Brides

If the thought of wearing a huge diamond on your finger intimidates you, don't worry—we've been there! Getting engaged brings on a flurry of new emotions, including getting used to wearing an engagement ring. As a marker of one of the most special moments of your life, an engagement ring is a big investment and you'll want to do everything to keep it in tip-top shape.

"The biggest thing to remember is that jewelry is a work of art and it's pretty delicate," says Rachel Akmakjian, jewelry expert and designer. "People think diamonds and metals are indestructible but that’s not true."

Fortunately, with the right products and habits, you can keep your rock resilient. With Akmakjian's help, we rounded up the most important items to preserve your ring’s value.

PUDDING CABIN Boho Ring Dish

Akmakjian says you should take off your engagement ring whenever you are doing anything that could damage your ring physically or chemically. She even recommends removing it before bed, as your fingers can swell during the night. She suggests keeping ring dishes in different areas of your house so you'll always have a safe place to stash your jewels.

Shop now: $9, amazon.com

Connoisseurs Diamond Dazzle Stik

Diamond cleaning pen with engagement ring — Connoisseurs

This pen is the number one choice of professional jewelry cleaners, stylists, and brides around the world. It works instantly and safely to restore your diamond’s brilliance with a cleaning gel that contains micro-polymers that not only swipes away dust and impurities but also repels them. We love to pair it with the Connoisseurs Dazzle Cloth made with Ultrasoft microsuede technology to easily remove oils, lotions, dirt, and fingerprints that can dull the brilliance of your engagement ring. These tiny investments go a long way in keeping your engagement ring sparkling, and are portable for use at any time.

Shop now: $9, amazon.com

RingHero Wristband

Working out is great for your body and mind, but it's not ideal for your ring. Not only can the sweat interfere with the gemstone and metal, but the actual act of lifting weights can dent your band (true story!). If you are going straight from the office to a workout class and need a safe place to store your rock, consider a ring wristband. Rather than letting your ring fall into the abyss of your tote bag, you can keep it safely on your wrist. The spandex bracelet has a zipped pocket to store your valuables.

Shop now: $20, amazon.com

SANQIANWAN Portable Ring Box

Whether you are traveling to your destination wedding or simply want a secure box to keep your ring at home, a portable jewelry box like this one is a wise investment. If you feel like splurging, we also love the Smythson Ring Box which is made from real leather and has a design that’s also sleek enough to use down the aisle. The SANQIANWAN ring box has a similar aesthetic if you’re looking for something at a more accessible price point.

Shop now: $10, amazon.com

SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad

For longer periods of time, Akmakjian advises keeping valuable jewelry in a fireproof safe, like this one from SentrySafe. Not only does it keep the contents safe up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour, but it's also watertight for 24 hours. Though a fire or flood may seem unlikely, the last thing you want to worry about during an emergency is where you put your ring.

Shop now: $287, amazon.com

What to Look for When Caring for an Engagement Ring

Consider the Metal of the Setting: When taking care of your ring, it's important to think about the type of metal it's made of. Fine metals like 18k or 24k gold and platinum are known for its durability and can withstand sweat and water. Most engagement rings will be set in platinum or 18k or 24k gold. Regardless of the quality of the metal, it doesn't mean it's ok to swim or shower with your engagement ring regularly. Soap can easily build up on your ring and you can potentially loose it in the water.

Diamonds Attract Oil: Even though diamonds are the hardest gemstone, they are not indestructible. Akmakjian says they can still be chipped and get easily dirty from things like lotions and soaps. "Diamonds are very attracted to oils—they are like best friends," says Akmakjian. "It doesn’t take much for your diamond to get dirty." That's why she recommends taking off your ring before putting on lotions and cleaning your diamonds at home regularly. Of course, diamonds are not in every ring, so be sure whatever cleaning method you use is safe for whatever gemstones you have.

FAQ

Where should I keep my ring while traveling?

First and foremost, Akmakjian says you should consider what sort of activities you'll be doing on your trip. If you'll be spending lots of time in the water and sand–which is quite abrasive–you may want to leave your ring at home.

If you decide to bring your ring, she says it's safest to keep it on you at all times. "The safest place is for the ring to be on my hand or on my person," says Akmakjian. "Never check a bag with your jewelry. Always keep it in your carry-on or on you." To keep your ring safe when it's not in your hands, invest in a secure ring box.
How often should I clean my ring?

To keep your engagement ring nice and sparkly, it's a good idea to clean it once a week at home. Then once or twice a year, you can bring it back to the jewelers for a professional cleaning and to ensure all the stones are tightly in place.
Do I need insurance for my engagement ring?

Just like with car or home insurance, engagement ring insurance is one of those things that you hope you'll never need to use, but when something does happen, you'll be grateful you have it. "This type of jewelry is emotional," says Akmakjian. "It’s very heartbreaking when anything happens to it."
She recommends shopping around for a standalone jewelry plan that best suits your needs and budget. Most engagement ring insurance policies cover rings against damage, loss, and theft.

Why Trust Brides

Emily Cieslak is an Assistant Commerce Editor who covers bridal fashion and jewelry trends. For this article, she interviewed Rachel Akmakjian, the jewelry designer of Ariane Diamonds and Director of Jeweler Relations for BriteCo.