Your wedding ring is one of the most precious and expensive pieces of jewelry you will ever receive. As such, you will surely do everything in your power to keep it in its pristine condition and ensure it looks as good as the day your spouse put it on your finger.

Although platinum, palladium, gold, titanium, and diamonds are some of the strongest materials around, they still need constant upkeep. This means that diamond wedding rings are still at risk of getting damaged, especially if you don’t take care of them well.

Moreover, since you wear your wedding band every day for many hours, you need to keep it clean to ensure it continues to look great and stays hygienic. If you are not careful, you may even find yourself in another dire situation: losing your valuable ring accidentally.

If you want to maintain the excellent condition and value of your natural or lab-grown diamond wedding band, here are five tips you should follow:

1. Be careful where you leave your wedding ring.

Since frequent handwashing is now a must, you need to remember to remove your ring whenever you do this. If you don’t, the soap you use, which may have abrasive ingredients, could damage the metal and stone.

Washing your hands under cool water can also sometimes make your fingers shrink a bit, especially after a particularly hot day. This could cause your ring to slip off, which could then fall into an open drain.

However, while washing your hands, avoid putting down your wedding ring just anywhere, including on the ledge of the sink.

If you need to wash or sanitize your hands in a public area, slip your ring inside your pocket first.

You will also do well to keep ring dishes next to the sinks in the bathroom and kitchen of your home where you can place your wedding band whenever you have to wash your hands.

Avoid leaving your wedding ring in any random place inside your home as well since there is a chance it can roll off somewhere, making it difficult for you to find it.

Keep your wedding band in a soft compartment or container when you are not wearing it. If you are using a ring holder, avoid stacking it on top of others since this can cause damage.

2. Know when not to wear your wedding ring.

While washing your hands is not the only time when you have to remove your wedding band to avoid damaging it. There are other situations that call for the same action.

Here some activities that call for removing your ring beforehand:

• Gardening. Your ring can get dirty when you till the soil, plant seeds, or rake your lawn. You can also get it wet when you water the plants.
• Doing household chores. Bleach and sanitizing products, which are typical cleaning products, contain harsh chemicals that can damage both the stones and metal. Washing dirty tableware and cookware can also have the same effect on your ring. If you don’t want to remove your wedding band, wear rubber gloves to protect it.
• Cooking. It is best to remove your ring whenever you are in the kitchen to avoid coating or splashing it with sauces or nicking it with a knife.
• Swimming, sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, and other water sports and activities. Prolonged exposure to water can cause your ring to lose its luster. You run the risk of dropping it in the water, after which it may be impossible to find it again.
• Taking a shower or a bath in the tub, or while relaxing in a hot tub. As mentioned, prolonged exposure to water can make your diamond wedding band look dull. If your ring is made of silver, steam can also cause it to tarnish faster.
• Applying lotions, creams, or sprays on your hand. These products can get into the crevices of your ring, which are hard to clean. They can also create a film on your jewelry, making it dull and grimy-looking.

3. Avoid touching the center stone.

Another simple yet important tip to remember when taking care of your precious wedding ring is to never touch the center stone at all costs.

Precious stones, including diamonds, are magnets for oil, dust, and dirt. Because of this, you have to avoid touching or handling this part of your ring.

One sign that they are already coated with these substances or there are some underneath the gem is if it looks hazy or cloudy.

To maintain the quality of your wedding ring, make it a habit to put it on and take it off by grabbing the band on either side of the stone.

4. Clean your ring regularly and properly.

Knowing how to clean your diamond wedding band can help you greatly maintain its quality and look.

When your ring is covered in dirt, grime, and gunk, the diamond will not shine as bright as it should since the light is simply not refracting too well. As such, you need to clean it regularly.

The simplest way to clean your ring is to let it soak in warm soapy water for 15 minutes or so. Afterwards, brush off the dirt carefully with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Another option is to use baking soda. It is non-abrasive, which makes it great for cleaning metals and gems.

Mix a small amount of baking soda with warm water to create a soft paste. Rub it all over your ring, ensuring it covers the band and gets into and around the gem and setting. Once done, rinse the band with warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.

This technique is also a safe way to clean your expensive designer metal bracelets. 

5. Have the diamond secured periodically by a professional.

When set properly, the diamond on your ring should be pretty secure and won’t be dislodged easily.

However, your ring can get banged up through daily wear. As a result, even a tightly secure prong can be slightly loosened.

Make it a point to check if the diamond is still intact and properly attached. If it is loose, take it to a professional jeweller who can tighten it.

By doing so, you reduce the risk of the gem falling off.

Additionally, have the ring re-polished and re-coated by the professional jeweller. They have the right treatment at hand to restore its beautiful, natural shine.

Your wedding ring is the most important tangible symbol of the love you share with your spouse. Follow these tips and you can avoid damaging and losing it, and continue having a beautiful and valuable piece of jewelry.