How to Care for Your Bridal Rings

Happy couples spend countless hours choosing the perfect bridal rings to symbolize their love and commitment. It makes sense because bridal rings are something you wear every day. You want them to be comfortable yet attractive on your hands.

Once you exchange bridal rings with your spouse, it’s important to take proper care of them. Diamonds and precious metals can tarnish and become coated with grime from everyday wear.

If you want your wedding rings to shine as brightly as they did on your wedding day, follow these 4 care routines.

1 – Keep Bridal Rings Clean

Cleaning your bridal rings is one of the most important parts of keeping them in good condition for years to come. Some jewelers offer maintenance plans for wedding sets that include free cleanings. They may use an ultrasonic cleaning device that safely removes dirt and grime from your rings.

If you choose to clean your rings at home, there are some steps you should take to protect the gemstones and precious metals from damage.

• Use a mild soap solution. Prepare a solution of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap or liquid hand soap. Soak your rings in the solution for a few minutes to loosen any dirt or debris. Avoid harsh chemicals like abrasive cleaners or bleach on your rings. They can damage the gemstones and metals, causing discoloration.
• Gently brush and rinse. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or dedicated jewelry cleaning brush to scrub the surface of your rings. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas such as under the prongs. Rinse the rings thoroughly under warm running water to remove any soap residue.
• Dry with a soft cloth. After rinsing, pat your rings dry with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using tissues or paper towels, as they can leave fibers on your rings.

2 – Get Bridal Rings Inspected

Regular inspections and maintenance are important parts of keeping your bridal rings in pristine condition. Most jewelers offer inspections as part of a maintenance package couples can buy when they purchase their wedding rings.

Some of the problems jewelers look for during routine inspections include:

• Chipped or damaged gemstones. Sometimes gemstones get damaged, including chips and scratches. Jewelers can evaluate the extent of the damage and recommend repair or replacement.
• Loose or missing stones. It’s not uncommon for stones to become loose or dislodged. Loose stones need tightening. If stones have fallen out, your jeweler can discuss replacement options.
• Metal fatigue. Over time, the metal in your rings can weaken and thin out. Jewelers can reinforce or repair the metal.
• Scratches and surface damage. Daily wear causes scratches and other surface damage to your bridal rings. Jewelers can polish or refinish metals to restore them to their original luster.
• Worn prongs or settings. Prongs that hold gemstones in place become worn over time. Settings that hold smaller gemstones in place can become misshapen, making it easy for the stones to fall out. Retipping or resetting your stones may be necessary.

3 – Store Bridal Rings Safely

Properly storing your bridal rings when you’re not wearing them keeps them safe and secure. Preventing theft and damage requires a commitment to following the following safety guidelines.

• Use a dedicated jewelry box. Invest in a high-quality jewelry box with individual compartments or ring slots to keep rings separate from other jewelry.
• Consider a safe or lockbox. For added protection, consider storing your jewelry box in a secure safe or lockbox. Doing so adds an extra layer of security against theft.
• Avoid stacking rings. Never stack your rings on top of each other. Storing them this way can cause surface scratches and deformations in the metal.
• Use soft pouches for travel. When traveling, use soft jewelry pouches to keep your rings safe when not on your finger.
• Remove your rings during cleaning. Some activities, like cleaning or playing an active sport, can damage your wedding rings. Remove them and store them in an appropriate container first.

If you don’t already have it, consider getting jewelry insurance. Regular renter’s and homeowner’s insurance doesn’t always cover the full value of your rings or all circumstances in which they can become lost or damaged.

4 – Avoid Contact with Harsh Substances

It’s easy to forget to remove your bridal rings before washing the dishes or weeding your vegetable garden. However, failing to do so can cause damage to your gemstones and metals by exposing them to harsh chemicals.

Some of the chemicals and activities that can cause unintended damage to your wedding rings include:

• Hand sanitizer. You may think you’re protecting yourself from germs and other ick when you slather your hands with sanitizer. However, you’re likely causing damage to your ring’s metal and gemstones. Most hand sanitizers contain alcohol, which is known to damage jewelry.
• Chlorine and salt. During the hot summer months, swimming is a popular pastime. Make sure you remove your wedding rings before you dive in. The chlorine and salt used to sanitize swimming pools can wreak havoc on your bridal rings, causing brittleness, discoloration, and fading.
• Household cleaning agents. Never clean with your rings on. Even if you put on rubber gloves first, you risk damaging the precious gemstones and delicate metals.
• Beauty products. Lotions, creams, and perfumes contain chemicals that can ruin your gemstones and tarnish metals. Hair products like gels and sprays also are too harsh on your rings, so remove them before using them in your hair.

Bridal ring maintenance and care partners

John Thomas Jewelers has an excellent reputation for helping happy couples preserve their bridal rings for years to come. We offer maintenance and inspection plans when you buy your wedding rings here.

Our skilled jewelry inspectors can spot any issues before they become serious, recommending appropriate repair options.