How To Care For Your Bridal Jewelry

When you get married, you want everything to be perfect. You also want your bridal jewelry to look beautiful for years to come to help remind you of that magical day. Here are a few tips on how to care for your bridal jewelry to help you make the most of this important part of your love story.

1. Know the material type

The most important step in how to care for your bridal jewelry is to know the material type. Most wedding bands are made of a certain type of metal, whether gold, platinum, titanium, or another type, and each one requires its own unique consideration when it comes to care and cleaning. Another matter to consider is whether the ring is plated or not because you may end up losing the coating if you unknowingly clean it with something too harsh for plated metals.

2. Schedule regular cleanings

Regardless of what type of metal you have, you need to schedule regular cleanings with a professional jeweler to keep things in top shape for years to come. A cleaning should happen every 6 months to 12 months, depending on the type of ring and your lifestyle. A professional cleaning is more detailed and uses special tools and cleaners to ensure a deeper clean than you can achieve at home on your own. If you allow dirt to build up inside the setting, you may end up with a loose stone so don’t take the chance of skipping cleanings from a professional.

3. Never use harsh cleaners

You should never care for your bridal jewelry by cleaning it with harsh cleaners. The use of anything with ammonia or acids such as bleach or lemon juice can lead to issues in the integrity and appearance of your ring. Your best bet is to use a mild detergent and warm, not hot, water to soak the ring for about 5-10 minutes, and then brush it as needed with a soft bristle toothbrush.

4. Store in the right place

Another key to caring for your bridal jewelry is making sure it is stored properly when not being worn. Some brides choose to only wear their engagement ring on special occasions rather than as part of their everyday look. The key is to make sure your rings are always properly stored when not being worn. This can mean a jewelry dish or tray placed where you usually take off your ring for a short span of time such as when you are doing dishes or showering, as well as a designated jewelry box for longer periods of not wearing it all.