Life Hack: Four common things that can damage valuable jewellery like engagement rings
Four Things To Are Watch Here For Out
High in both sentimental and financial value, engagement rings are some of our most cherished possessions. But did you know there are some common activities we all do that could result in your ring becoming damaged?
Aimee Howlett, a spokesperson at Diamonds Factory, says the sun, along with certain products and activities, can actually pose a risk to your engagement ring.
Here are four things she suggests watching out for.
All that glistens isn't good: when exposed to sunlight for too long it can cause damage to rings set with certain stones as well as to the band.
"Because of their colour-charged atoms, stones like amethyst and topaz after prolonged exposure to the sun can cause their colour to fade or change completely," Howlett says.
"As well as the particular stone you have on your ring, the metal band can also be affected. This is because metal is a heat conductor so it can get really hot in the sun. This can cause the band to warp which in turn can cause it to snap over time."
She suggests removing the ring on very hot days and limiting exposure to the sun by moving into the shade.
These won't damage the ring but they can dull their shine.
"Applying hand and body creams and other lotions, such as suncream, won’t actually damage your ring, but leaving your ring on whilst applying these will dull the shine of the gemstone," Howlett says.
"Over time, minuscule layers of residue from the creams will build up on the stone and the metal, making them appear cloudy and dull. If it manages to get underneath the stone and in the setting, it could be a bit more tricky to clean by yourself and may have to be sent to the jewellers for a professional clean."
If you love swimming, you should leave your engagement ring somewhere safe and dry to avoid it coming into contact with chlorine.
"Long-term exposure to chlorine which is added to the water to kill germs, can not only cause your ring stone to fade but also discolour the metal band of your ring," Howlett explains.
"For those who have a white gold ring, contact with chlorine could cause even more damage. This is because to make white gold, it is plated with white rhodium and over time, the plating can wear away allowing the gold's natural yellow tint to show through.
Exposing your ring to chlorine or other cleaning-based chemicals will only speed up this process."
Those with green fingers should also stow their jewellery somewhere safe before tackling garden jobs.
"Doing this type of activity accompanied by your engagement ring is not a good idea, as if you’re not careful, your ring could get easily scratched or cracked," Howlett says.
"Even wearing protective gloves can give you a good level of protection, however when taken off, your ring can get attached to the material, pulled, and could even get lost if you take off your gloves too vigorously. So my advice would be to just leave your ring in a safe place indoors."