Finding your perfect engagement ring is no small thing, and when you do, you want to keep it safe. When it comes to the care and maintenance of your jewelry, there are certain things you can do to keep the sparkle. Keep reading to hear our top 5 tips for jewelry care and maintenance.

MAINTENANCE TIP 1 – PUT YOUR RING TO BED

Your rings need to sleep, just like you do. Don’t wear your jewelry to bed. Cotton is a natural buffer for precious metal, which means that even your bed sheets can wear down your prongs over time. Give your rings and fingers a break, they’ll thank you for it.

MAINTENANCE TIP 2 – NO SWIMMING ALLOWED

Though the sparkle of beautiful gems looks fantastic with the suns rays hitting them, the chlorine in pools can deteriorate the alloys used in fine gold and other precious metals. Ditto for hot tubs. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your ring is either on your finger, or in the box.

MAINTENANCE TIP 3 – WEAR AND WARRANTY

Everyone has different lifestyles, and as a result jewelry wears out at different rates. We recommend having prongs and clasps checked every 6 months (our warranty requires at least once a year). For more active lifestyles, get it checked more often. A sign that you may need to get the item into the shop is if it is catching regularly or you notice any loose gemstones.   FORGE never charges to inspect or deep clean your jewelry, not to mention you will LOVE the way it brings back the sparkle!

MAINTENANCE TIP 4 – BE CHEMICAL FREE

Chemicals can damage or discolor precious metals and may harm colored gems. Even everyday substances like hairspray, lotion, perfume, or other cosmetics contain chemicals that will permanently damage the surface of your pearls and other delicate or porous gems (like turquoise). Fine jewelry should be removed before using household cleaners especially those that contain ammonia or chlorine bleach. They are too harsh for delicate gems or vintage jewelry and can pit or damage gold alloys.

MAINTENANCE TIP 5 – KEEP IT SAFE

Proper jewelry storage is often overlooked. Jewelry should never be tossed into a drawer or on top of a dresser − that’s asking for trouble. We recommend you choose the same spot to place your jewelry when not wearing it. Most pieces come in a box or pouch from the store, which is a perfect place to keep them. Sterling silver, for example, should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth. Pearls and opals draw moisture from the air, so storing your opal or pearl jewelry in a dry area, such as a safe deposit box, can sometimes do more harm than good. When traveling, protect your jewelry pieces from scratches or other damage by padding it in a separate box or case.

You put a lot of care into choosing your engagement ring; you should put just as much care into keeping it beautiful! Here at FORGE, we are always available to help you with jewelry care and maintenance. Whether you want to come get a free ring cleaning, or find a ring you need to take care of in the first place, FORGE is the place for you!