Everyone loves to talk about buying the dream engagement ring, but what about after you get engaged? Yes, you’ve conquered the nerves of selecting the perfect ring and popping the question, but you’re not quite done. Here are a few things to consider AFTER she says yes, (PS. CONGRATS on your engagement!)
1. Insurance
This one can often be overlooked in the excitement of a getting engaged. Of course, you hope to never lose or damage your ring. But life happens, and when it does, you want your precious items protected. Making sure your ring is properly insured is a great way to do this. There are two ways to go about this. Option one, check into your homeowner’s or renter's insurance to see what sort of coverage you might already have for valuables such as jewellery. Be sure to ask the right questions and read the fine print. We recommend checking to see what your deductible is and whether your policy has a ‘per item’ monetary limit. For example, some policies might cover you for $10,000 but have ‘per item’ coverage limit of $5,000. They may also have a ‘per claim’ coverage limit. In this case you may lose all your jewellery in one incident but there may be a limit to how much your provider will cover you for in one claim. The other option is taking out a specific policy to cover your ring or jewellery collection. We recommend working with Jewelers Mutual as they specialize in jewellery-specific coverage. How does this benefit you? They understand the nuances of jewellery, and should you be unfortunate enough to lose your engagement ring, they will ensure your replacement ring is of the same specifications as your original ring. They also provide a full range coverage including theft, loss, and mysterious disappearance. We are not partnered with Jewelers Mutual, however we have been unfortunate enough to make a theft claim of our own and are simply happy customers.
2. Cleaning & Maintenance
What To Expect:
We want you to wear and enjoy your beautiful new engagement ring, but there are some helpful things to know and do to keep your ring secure and sparkling! Here’s what you need to know about the cleaning and maintenance of your ring. It’s perfectly normal for your ring to require some maintenance and repair periodically. Gold by nature is a soft, malleable metal. In the early days, you will likely notice some surface scratching and scuffing on the gold portion of your ring. If your ring is white gold, it will be rhodium plated to give you that bright white, silvery finish you see. This plating does wear and fade over time and will reveal a warm white tone underneath. How fast this process happens is completely dependent on how you wear your ring and, believe it or not, your body chemistry! After the one-year mark, depending on how you wear your ring, you may start to notice further wear such as worn claws or loosening diamonds. Even the best-made rings still can’t take much abuse; if you happen to knock it just right on a countertop or catch your hand in the car door, the force may be enough to damage the ring and can often result in damaged claws or loose diamonds. Unfortunately, the ring often absorbs the brunt of any bangs and bumps, and you may not even notice the wear and tear your ring is experiencing. Don’t panic. Your ring is absolutely meant to be worn and enjoyed but is fine jewellery and as such simply requires some extra care.
An Ounce of Prevention:
So, knowing all the above, how do we prevent costly repair bills? While you probably want to wear your rings all the time, taking them off for certain activities can go a long way to lengthening the life of your engagement ring. It can be beneficial to remove your ring when working with your hands (such as housework, doing dishes or gardening), working out at the gym, prolonged time in water, and any exposure to chemicals. We also recommend having your ring professionally inspected and cleaned every 3-6 months or whenever you notice something amiss so we can catch any needed work before you lose diamonds or cause deeper structural damage to the ring. If you notice a rattling noise or your diamond spinning, or you are finding you are catching it on clothing more than usual, the setting of your diamond may have loosened or a claw may have lifted. It is a good idea to have that tightened as soon as possible to prevent the diamond from falling out of the setting. Regular cleanings and professional inspection can go a long way to catching wear early and preventing losses. While repair bills for re-tipping claws etc. can certainly add up, they are far less costly than losing diamonds or gemstones!
3. Wedding Bands
You’re likely still enjoying newly engaged bliss and haven’t fully jumped into the madness of wedding planning, but when you’re ready to think wedding bands, here’s what you need to know! Wedding bands can take an up to 4-6 weeks to order depending on availability. While we have hundreds of in-stock bands, most wedding bands, especially men's bands, require ordering in the correct size. If you are considering having a band custom-made to fit your engagement ring, you might want to allow more time for the design process. The style options for wedding bands are endless and can be overwhelming! Our pro tip is to start shopping early so you have time for more than one shopping trip. It can be helpful to narrow down some options, take some pictures, and try them on again later before making your final selection. Happy Shopping!
