Wedding Ring Care and Maintenance

So you went ahead and got a beautiful bespoke and custom ring as your wedding band. But now what? How do you care for it and keep it in mint condition so that your beautiful memento lasts for generations to come? The solution is simple - approach it like you would approach any good relationship. Treat your jewelry with love and it will love you back. Remember, these handmade pieces are sensitive to the elements and appreciate regular maintenance and care. 

Here’s a comprehensive list of tips on how to care for and maintain custom wedding rings to keep them looking their best over time. 

Take it off

A wedding ring is the most important physical symbol of your union with your partner - and it’s understandable that you may want to flaunt it at all times. However, for the ring’s own good, it’s wise to know when exactly to take it off. Jewelry should be removed when bathing, exercising, or participating in strenuous activity. A good habit is to take off your ring before you go bathing to avoid any soap buildup in the crevices of any intricate design. Similarly, you want to avoid any sweat build-up on the ring during heavy exercises and steer clear of any dents or scratches during contact sports. 

Keep away from chemicals

Let your jewelry be the last thing you put on, only once you’re done applying your moisturizers, cosmetics and perfumes. You want your wedding ring to have the least amount of contact with any chemicals that may be present in any of the products you use. The chemicals may damage the stones and the integrity of the metal. If your ring is made with gold, then remember that one of gold’s worst enemies is chlorine - so make sure you’re not wearing any gold pieces when you get into the pool. 

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Avoid exposing your wedding ring to extreme temperatures. While most materials used for crafting jewelry are durable, extreme heat or cold can affect the color, the shape and integrity of the gemstone or the metal. 

Store it well

The most ideal way to store any piece of jewelry is individually in its own case. For sterling silver, you can delay oxidation by keeping your jewelry away from moisture and store completely dry pieces in a plastic bag when they aren’t in use. The recommended way to store gold pieces would be in individual cloth cases or covered in a soft cloth or tissue. A jewelry box is the safest place to keep your jewelry when you are not wearing it. 

Inspect, clean, polish!

Make sure to regularly inspect your ring for any scratches, dents or other damage. The quicker you spot it, the higher the chances of getting it fixed with professional help. 

Bronze and sterling silver naturally oxidize over time, resulting in a grayish hue that can be removed by gently polishing your pieces with a soft cloth and silver metal polish. 14K and gold-plated jewelry should be gently cleaned with a soft brush and mild dish soap. Do not use a polishing cloth or metal polish on gold-plated jewelry, as it will strip away the plating.

To maintain the appearance of your jewelry, it is recommended to have it professionally polished at regular intervals. The polishing will restore the original shine to your jewelry and keep it looking new.