How Do I Care For My Gemstone Ring?

Now that you have your gorgeous new ring, you feel as if you never want to take it off! You’ve dreamed of it, and here it is, sparkling on your hand. But how do you keep your jewels in the best condition and ensure they stay dazzling? We’ve compiled some advice below, so wonder no more!

Some basic Dos and Don'ts:

Remove your rings when you're cleaning the house, doing yard work, or entering any body of water, whether ocean, river, lake, swimming pool, or hot tub.
Chemicals in everyday cleaning products can be harmful to your jewelry and sometimes to the gemstones set in it. Rings can become misshapen or damaged by gardening - especially if you're digging and planting - and, aside from anything else, will likely get filthy. Your gemstones can also get scratched coming into contact with rocks, wood and other hard surfaces. We've spoken to so many people who have lost their wedding rings when swimming in the sea or who have seen their rings discoloured by the chlorine in pools and hot tubs.
Never wear your rings in the gym.
There's really no leeway on this one. Doing so can lead to damage to both your rings and your fingers. Your fingers will swell during exercise as you get warmer; if your ring gets too tight, it can restrict blood flow to your finger. As for the ring itself, metal can get scratched or bent while you work out, and in extreme cases, your ring can be a serious safety risk if it gets caught on equipment. Precious metals and gemstones should never come into contact with weights - we've seen firsthand the damage that can be done to new rings. Damage to your ring can be very expensive to fix, so avoid it completely. If you're not convinced of the locker room's security, you can either invest in a small clipped pouch to pop your ring into and keep clipped to your clothes, a wrist wallet, or just leave your ring at home.
It's a good idea to take your rings off when sleeping.
Our hands can swell as we sleep, and some customers have reported that their rings feel uncomfortably tight on waking. Aside from that, the prongs that hold your gemstones can get caught on bedclothes or sleepwear overnight without you noticing it. Over time, that could potentially cause a weakness in the prong or the setting which, if not spotted soon enough, might lead to the loss of a stone. Keep a little ring dish or the ring's original box beside your bed. It will be there for you when you wake up in the morning.
On the other hand, do wear your ring when you are...
Celebrating your engagement, taking photos, going to work, running errands, eating out, catching up with friends, visiting family, going on road trips, taking a holiday, doing the school run, enjoying time at home, going on date nights, and doing all the other everyday things that give you a chance to enjoy your dazzling new jewel!

Check your ring regularly:

If you wear your ring daily, check it weekly for any signs of damage or wear and tear. This involves checking:

Claws and prongs - Are they intact, holding the gemstone fully, and straight, or can you see signs of them weakening or moving? Does your gemstone rattle in its prongs? Ideally, a local jeweller should check claw-set gemstone rings every year to eighteen months to ensure the claws are strong and hold your precious stone safely.
The setting - Is it intact and keeping its shape? Stone settings can be damaged by hard surfaces or can get caught on clothing. The setting is the part of the ring your gemstone sits in, so ensuring its integrity is vital. If, for example, you noticed you knocked your hand on the side of the closet, or that your ring got caught on your sweater as you put it on this morning, check it over carefully.
Pavé settings - Are any stones missing? It sounds ridiculous, but it’s not uncommon for the wearer not to notice that they’re missing a diamond for several days, especially if the pavé runs down the side of the finger.
The shank - The band, or shank, of the ring is also subject to wear and tear. Check it for dents or knocks. A misshapen band can affect the setting and the security of the gemstones. If you see signs of the band changing shape, have it checked by a jeweler as soon as possible, and don’t wear it until it has been repaired.

Clean your ring regularly:

Your jewelry deserves care, attention, and cleaning in the same way that you wash your clothes to ensure they look their best. If you want to make a good impression, make sure your rings don't let you down! It doesn't take long to keep them clean and shiny, although the safest way to do that depends on the gemstones included in the design. Scroll down to find the gems relevant to your ring.

Connemara marble: The gemstone of Ireland can be damaged by household acids like lemon juice or vinegar, and can be scratched with abrasive cleaners or brushes. Take your ring off if you are baking, gardening, or doing anything else that might make it grimy. Always remove your ring before showering, swimming, or using a hot tub.

You can safely clean your marble piece with a soft, damp cloth to wipe off dirt, and a jewelry polishing cloth will bring the gold or silver setting back to its original gleaming finish. Never clean any Connemara marble jewelry with ultrasonic cleaners or silver and gold dips/baths. Store your Connemara marble jewelry separate from other gemstones to avoid scratches.

Cubic Zirconia (CZ): CZ stones are lab-created and are highly durable. You can clean your gold and Sterling silver CZ pieces in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, or by hand with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Rinse it with cool, clean water after and dry it with paper towels or a lint-free cloth. If your CZ jewelry is plated or made with other metals, please take care; the CZ will be safe, but you may damage the plating, causing it to wear faster.

Store cubic zirconia jewelry by itself, separate from other gemstones, to avoid scratches from harder stones like diamonds and to prevent damage to softer items like pearls.

Diamond / Lab diamond: You can clean your diamond ring in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, or by hand with warm soapy water and a baby’s soft toothbrush. Rinse it with cool, clean water after and dry it with paper towels or a lint-free cloth.

While using a soft toothbrush to clean around a solitaire or three-stone setting is perfectly acceptable, we advise never brushing over pavé diamond settings. An ultrasonic cleaner is the best option for this style. Also, while diamonds are happy in an ultrasonic cleaner, they can badly damage gemstones like emeralds and pearls. These pieces are best left to professionals to clean if they need anything more than a gentle wash with warm, soapy water.

Emerald: Keep your emeralds away from ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals. The GIA recommends cleaning your emeralds with warm soapy water and a very soft brush. They can take being brushed gently but should never be soaked. Make sure to dry them fully after cleaning. These gemstones should always be removed when cooking as they don’t like the heat, cleaning, or doing yard work. Always remove your emeralds before bathing, showering, swimming, or hot tubbing.

When not worn, store your emerald ring in its original box or a separate padded box or pouch. Never leave your emeralds on bright window sills or above radiators. Heat and extended periods in bright light can cause them to alter their appearance.

Pearl: All the pearls used in My Irish Jeweler’s range are cultured freshwater pearls. As with all pearls, they require care and attention. The old adage is true: pearls are the last thing you put on when getting ready, and the first thing to be removed when changing. As a biogenic gem, like coral or amber, pearls are incredibly vulnerable to acids. You should always apply body lotions, perfumes, and make-up before putting on pearls.

After being worn, wipe your pearls with a soft, clean cloth to remove any oils or debris they may have encountered. Clean your pearls with a soft cloth dipped in tepid, soapy water if they are stained, but never soak them. Leave them to air dry, and store them in the box they arrived in, away from other jewelry. Pearls are soft and easily scratched, but they love to be worn - they can lose their luster over time if left to languish in a jewelry box.

Ruby: Have you heard of the “red, white, and blue” rule? It’s a shorthand for rubies, diamonds, and sapphires, the top-tier gemstones, and indicates that you can clean them without fear. If you’re just cleaning away daily dust and grease, warm soapy water will do the trick, but you can use an ultrasonic cleaner if you have one. Common sense will take care of the rest: take your ring off in the gym, when doing yard work, or swimming, whether in a pool or the sea.

Sapphire: Have you heard of the “red, white, and blue” rule? It’s a shorthand for rubies, diamonds, and sapphires, the top-tier gemstones, and indicates that you can clean them without fear. If you’re just cleaning away daily dust and grease, warm soapy water will do the trick, but you can use an ultrasonic cleaner if you have one. Common sense will take care of the rest: take your ring off in the gym, when doing yard work, or swimming, whether in a pool or the sea.

How Do I Care For My Gemstone Ring?Updated 2 years ago