Do’s & Don’t – Engagement rings, the best practices
At Sophie Breitmeyer, we’re on a mission to offer the very best service to our customers while ensuring we have the answers to all your questions when it comes to engagement rings. Here are a few essential do’s and don’ts.
Should I insure my engagement ring?
Even the most careful owners have had to deal with losing an engagement ring at some point in their life. Depending on your policy, some insurance companies will cover the cost of a new ring if it is lost or stolen, so be sure to take the time to look into your insurance policy in more detail to see exactly what it covers. All SB engagement rings come with a retail replacement certificate for insurance purposes, and we recommend adding your ring to your household insurance if possible. We recommend H March and Asset Sure.
How do I store my rings safely?
Whether you use a custom ring box or a jewellery box to store your ring, you don’t want to risk it being stolen. A jewellery box with a lock is a great way to keep your ring safe, but if you don’t have one, don’t forget to put the ring away in a secure location. When it comes to travelling with your ring, you can protect it by wrapping it in fabric or placing it in a jewellery pouch. Ideally, try to keep pieces apart so they don’t rub together or tangle up.
Is it common to resize an engagement ring?
People’s fingers and hands tend to fluctuate slightly in size through the years, so it is not unusual for an engagement ring to require resizing at some point. However, this doesn’t mean you should have your ring resized every year. Regular resizing of a ring can weaken the setting, which in turn could lead to the stones loosening and falling out of your ring.
Can you wear an engagement ring while working out?
Exercise is good for you. However, it can be hard going on your rings. Excessive perspiration and body oils can tarnish an engagement ring, and regular close contact with hard surfaces can damage your ring. If you’re going to be exercising, and particularly if you’re lifting weights, it’s best to take your rings off to ensure they stay in good shape.
In fact, if you’re going to be engaging in any activities that you think might damage or scratch your ring, it’s best to remove it. These include gardening, DIY and even horseback riding. We also recommend removing your jewellery before you visit a spa, jump in the swimming pool or relax in a mineral bath, as the salt water and chlorine may affect the metal finish.
What to do with rings when pregnant?
There are a few things to bear in mind if you plan to carry on wearing your engagement ring while pregnant. Your fingers are likely to swell up as your pregnancy progresses, so make sure your ring has enough room to fit over your knuckles. For this reason, we would advise you to consider removing all your rings while pregnant. As your fingers swell up, the rings will get tighter and tighter, which can result in them getting stuck. When this happens, they may need to be cut off at the hospital, which can be a traumatic experience for both yourself and your ring.
The bottom line is, wearing a ring while pregnant is generally safe as long as you pay close attention to how it feels on your hand. If you’re worried about your ring becoming stuck on your finger, we recommend removing it, particularly in the last months of the pregnancy.
How to avoid tarnishing your ring?
We have a few key bits of advice for avoiding tarnishing your rings. Before putting any jewellery on, make sure any lotions, perfumes and makeup are absorbed into your skin. Most cases of jewellery tarnishing and discolouring are caused by skincare products. We also recommend removing your jewellery when cleaning. Harsh chemicals, like those found in household cleaning products, will tarnish metal, especially silver. Finally, don’t store your jewellery next to a heating vent, on a window sill or in the car. The less air and light your jewellery is exposed to when you aren’t wearing it, the less tarnishing will occur. Store your ring in a jewellery box instead.
How to clean my engagement ring?
When choosing a ring, remember that all materials can tarnish over time, and the ring may lose a bit of its shine as it acquires dirt from everyday wear. When it comes to cleaning your ring at home, don’t use anything too abrasive. A soft cloth or an old toothbrush will do the trick just fine. Never use tissues or paper towels to clean your jewellery. These products will scratch the surface of the jewellery.
Your sterling silver pieces should be cleaned with a special sterling silver cloth. This will remove any tarnish and dullness and keep your silver jewellery looking like new. Different cloths are readily available for each of the different materials, including metals and stones. For more intensive cleaning, you can always invest in an ultrasonic cleaner. These tend to cost circa £40 from Amazon
For all SB engagement rings, we provide a complimentary annual service, which invites you to bring your ring to the studio once a year for a check-up and clean. During the service, a team member in our workshop will thoroughly check all the stone settings and also give your ring a professional clean. Please note this service takes between 2-5 working days.
