I love working with The Diamond Galleria; they're the diamond experts in the tristate area! So, I was very excited when they agreed to guest post about what they know best: taking care of your engagement ring!

Diamonds are forever, but living life to the fullest can be hard on your engagement ring and bridal jewelry. Couples often ask Evansville jeweler The Diamond Galleria the best way to care for and protect their diamond wedding jewelry. Here are some of their favorite tips you can use to keep your rings picture perfect for years to come:

Pay Attention to Your Rings

Admiring the shine and sparkle of your engagement ring is lots of fun – particularly when you’ve just started wearing it! – but you’ll want to make sure to take a real close look at your ring regularly. You’re looking for anything that doesn’t look right, such as a stone that’s starting to get loose or a prong that’s gotten bent somehow. At the first sign of damage, you’ll want to bring your ring to an experienced Evansville Master Jeweler for repairs: it’s much better to secure a loose diamond than to replace it!

Important to Know: Many fine jewelry warranty programs - require that the covered jewelry be inspected by a qualified jeweler regularly – usually twice a year – to keep your protection in force. Don’t currently have a warranty on your ring? The Diamond Galleria offers the national Preferred Jewelers Warranty – they’ll inspect the ring, do any necessary repairs to bring it up to the proper conditions, and fill out the necessary documentation to cover your ring.

Don’t Wear Your Rings 24/7

Exercise your judgement when deciding when and where to wear your wedding jewelry, particularly diamond engagement rings that feature a large stone or a high-set mount. Some of life’s most fun activities, like horseback riding, rock climbing, and playing sports, can be really hard on your jewelry. So too can chores like moving boxes, gardening, and the dirtier housework tasks. Take your rings off and stow them somewhere safe while you’re engaged in these activities: you’ll be significantly reducing the risk of lost diamonds, bent shanks, and other damage.

Important to Know: The best place to store your diamond engagement ring and other fine jewelry is in a fabric lined jewelry box, with built-in compartments that keep the delicate pieces of jewelry from damaging each other.

Skip The Home Remedy Jewelry Cleaning Solutions

Skip any home remedy jewelry cleaning solutions you may discover: what’s appropriate for a diamond may be terrible for opals or other softer gemstones. While professional cleanings are preferred to ensure that accidental damage is not done to your ring and the right cleaning products are used, if you do decide to go the DIY route make sure you’re not cleaning your ring directly over the sink drain. If it slips away from you, it’ll be an expensive call to the plumber to get it back!

Important to Know: The Diamond Galleria recommends a professional cleaning and check-up every 6 months. The best jewelers have access to all the appropriate cleaning products and technology to keep your ring looking like new.

Have Your Engagement Ring & Other Fine Jewelry Insured

The most important thing you can do to protect your wedding jewelry is to have it insured. This requires having your ring appraised, a service any qualified professional jeweler can do for you. You want to have each piece of jewelry on the policy covered for the full replacement value, so you'll be protected if it's ever lost, stolen or damaged. Some jewelry insurance companies offer additional benefits, such as paying for preventative maintenance and needed repairs. It’s worth doing some comparison shopping to make sure you’re choosing the best policy.

Important to Know: Your homeowner’s insurance doesn’t necessarily cover your fine jewelry. Many insurance companies are requiring policy owners to purchase add on rider policies if you want that level of protection.

How to Keep Your Bridal Jewelry Picture Perfect for Years to Come | Guest Post: The Diamond Galleria