Today’s guest post is by Brenna Ferrentino, Content Manager at Ritani in New York. Ritani is one of my favorite sites for fine jewelry, so she knows all the expert info on how to take care of it and I wanted to share it with you.It’s important to take care of your jewelry all year. But winter, in particular, can wreak havoc on your collection. Follow these simple tips from Ritani, a fine jewelry company specializing in engagement rings and bridal jewelry, to make sure your favorite pieces stay as fresh and full of light as the day you first bought them.
Layer With Caution
Knit sweaters are a must-have for cold days – but they have the potential to damage your jewelry or cause it to become lost. Knits can easily get caught on the prongs of earrings or earring backings, as well as rings.
Over time, this can loosen prongs, causing stones to fall out. Sweaters can also pull out earrings. Avoid lost jewelry by putting your knits on first, then your jewelry after.
Gloves can also pose a threat to prong-set engagement rings. “Watch how you pull off your gloves when wearing a prong set ring,” says Ritani gemologist Ryan Kelsie. “A prong could get snagged and become loose possibly making your diamond unstable.”
Know When To Take It Off
“Due to fingers constricting during the colder months, loose rings may become looser. It’s a good idea to add a plastic guard to the inside of the band that gives your ring a more snug fit. If you have a wedding band that fits tighter, you could add it in front of your engagement ring for added protection,” says Kelsie. “Do not wear your rings during outdoor activities. While you are skiing, snowboarding or even shoveling snow the possibility of falling, hitting your hand against a hard surface or your ring slipping off becomes more of a concern.”
Unfortunately, many of us suffer from dry skin during the winter. It’s wise to remove jewelry, like engagement rings and wedding bands before applying lotion. Lotion can build up on diamonds and precious metals, causing it to lose its sparkle and luster.
Keep It Clean
Dirt and grime can easily build up over time, meaning a piece won’t sparkle like it used to. Ritani recommends cleaning your most important jewelry every month, and more often for the items you wear daily. You can easily make a DIY jewelry cleaner with common household items. All you need is a soft toothbrush, dish soap, and water. Dilute dish soap with warm water and use it to gently scrub your jewelry. For a professional deep clean, take your pieces to a jeweler.
BONUS for my readers: You can take 15% off jewelry using code HILARY15 at checkout!
About Ritani
Ritani is an online fine jewelry company specializing in engagement rings and wedding bands. Ritani is dedicated to educating customers on diamonds and helping each customer find the right engagement ring for their budget. All of Ritani’s pieces are handcrafted with love in New York.
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