Aug 23, 2014

Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Your Diamond: Part II

LISA

Diamond Engagement Ring with Bent Prongs

In my last post, we talked about the best ways to clean your diamond. Today, I’d like to focus on what you can do to keep it looking beautiful for many years to come. Because here’s the thing: Diamonds are very hard and quite durable, but they’re also expensive and precious. Treat them like they’re valuable (because they are!). Here are my tried-and-true tips for caring for your diamond ring between regular check-ups and cleanings.

Know when to remove it.

Jewelry designed for everyday wear, like an engagement ring, is built to withstand most chores, like making the bed or mopping floors. But if you’re going to expose your ring to something heavy, like rocks, or something made of steel, like barbells or pots and pans, best remove it beforehand. While you’re not at risk for damaging your diamond, you could dent the metal band or prongs.

Remove your jewelry before jumping in!
Photo: Matthew Ingram

Always dry it.

Whenever you get your diamond wet—washing hands, taking a bath, doing dishes—take an extra second and dry it off. That’s because any time the wet stone air dries, it’s left with a tiny bit of residue that, over time, could dull the sparkle. I’m a big fan of drying with a quick blast of the hairdryer, or when I’m out, running my ring under the automatic hand dryer for a cycle. Caveat: If you’re hitting the pool or jacuzzi, be sure to remove any white gold jewelry beforehand. Over time, repeated exposure to the chemicals can corrode the metal.

Engagement ring that fell into the garbage disposal!

Be smart about storage.

Just like in real estate, location is everything when it comes to deciding where to stash your jewelry. My number-one recommendation? Keep your diamonds as far away from the garbage disposal as possible (trust me on this one). Also avoid laying them on a counter or dresser, where they can accidentally fall off. Instead, invest in a dedicated stand or bowl where you can safely store your pricey pieces.

Have it insured.

Diamonds don’t come cheap, to say nothing of their sentimental value. Protect yours by insuring it, either through your homeowner’s insurance or on a separate rider. (I recommend Jeweler’s Mutual.) A policy doesn’t cost much, but the peace of mind it offers is priceless. And since diamonds consistently increase in value, have yours appraised every five years and bump up coverage as needed.

Visit www.krikawa.com for more jewelry care tips.

Krikawa. Where your dream ring comes true.

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