Jewelry Care
A silver ring with a set stone needs very little: keep it out of the situations that damage it, clean it before it goes dull, and have the setting checked now and then. That is the entire routine.
Take It Off
Sports
Gripping a racket or a barbell with a ring on puts pressure on exactly the part of the band that holds your stones. A stone set at the point of contact can chip, and a prong can be pushed open. Take it off before you train, or wear it on a chain.
Gardening and heavy work
Stones can chip and settings can be knocked loose during yard work. Gloves do not protect a ring from a direct blow, and grit trapped inside a glove scratches the metal.
Housework and dishes
Bleach, oven cleaner and abrasive scouring powder are the worst things a ring can meet. They attack the metal and they dull the surface of a stone faster than wear ever will.
Keep It Away From Lotion, Sunscreen and Perfume
These leave a film on the underside of a stone, and that film is what makes a ring look dull when it is not dirty. Take the ring off before you apply them, and put it back on once your skin has dried. Hairspray is the same story.
Cleaning It at Home
- Fill a small bowl with warm water and one drop of mild dish soap.
- Sit the ring in it for five to ten minutes.
- Work a very soft toothbrush or a jewellery brush around the setting and behind the stone.
- Rinse under warm running water with the drain plugged.
- Blot dry with a soft cloth — do not rub a set stone dry with a paper towel.
Silver polishing cloths remove tarnish and restore shine. Do not use toothpaste, baking soda, or a home ultrasonic cleaner on a piece with pave-set or glued stones.
Safekeeping
Rings scratch each other, so store them separately — a lined box, the pouch your order arrives in, or a soft roll. If you take your ring off in the bathroom or the kitchen, put it somewhere you always put it. Most lost rings are not stolen; they are left on a ledge.
Have the Setting Checked
Most jewellers suggest a setting check every six months. Ours is covered: the first resize is free, and a loose prong inside the first year is a warranty repair rather than a bill — see One Year Warranty.