With the beginning of Summer around the corner, hotter days and fun summer activities are within arm’s reach. However, did you know that the sun, as well as products and the activities we do more of during this season, can damage your engagement ring?
Aimee Howlett, spokesperson at Diamonds Factory talks us through four things that could, over time, damage your diamond ring.
Prolonged sun exposure
Seeing your engagement diamond ring as it glistens in the sun is a beautiful sight, however, when exposed to sunlight for too long it can cause damage to your ring. Because of their colour-charged atoms, stones like amethyst and topaz after prolonged exposure to the sun can cause their colour to fade or change completely.
As well as the particular stone you have on your ring, the metal band can also be affected. This is because metal is a heat conductor so it can get really hot in the sun. This can cause the band to warp which in turn can cause it to snap over time.
On extremely hot days, consider removing your ring before spending prolonged periods outdoors, or try limited your exposure by going into the shade where possible to prevent this from happening to your beautiful ring.
Hand and body creams
Applying hand and body creams and other lotions, such as suncream, won’t actually damage your diamond ring, but leaving your ring on whilst applying these will dull the shine of the gemstone. Over time, minuscule layers of residue from the creams will build up on the stone and the metal, making them appear cloudy and dull. This layer of product can be cleaned from the ring to get the sparkle back, however, if it manages to get underneath the stone and in the setting, it could be a bit more tricky to clean by yourself and may have to be sent to the jewellers for a professional clean. To save yourself the hassle, I would suggest removing your ring when applying sun cream and other lotions this Summer.
Chlorine
When it’s hot, many of us jump at the chance to get into the pool, however, long-term exposure to chlorine which is added to the water to kill germs, can not only cause your ring stone to fade but also discolour the metal band of your ring.
For those who have a white gold ring, contact with chlorine could cause even more damage. This is because to make white gold, it is plated with white rhodium and over time, the plating can wear away allowing the gold’s natural yellow tint to show through. Exposing your ring to chlorine or other cleaning-based chemicals will only speed up this process. Therefore, to be safe, I recommend removing your ring before participating in any water-related activities so it stays in pristine condition.
Gardening jobs
Naturally, when the sun is out, many of us take to the outdoors and what better time is it to get stuck into some gardening jobs? But, doing this type of activity accompanied by your engagement diamond ring is not a good idea, as if you’re not careful, your ring could get easily scratched or cracked. Even wearing protective gloves can give you a good level of protection, however when taken off, your ring can get attached to the material, pulled, and could even get lost if you take off your gloves too vigorously. So my advice would be to just leave your ring in a safe place indoors!
About Diamonds Factory IE
At Diamonds Factory, you can choose whether your diamonds are natural or lab-created, the cut, clarity and precious metal used. Diamonds Factory skips the middleman, so you pay up to 78% less than high-street jewellers.
All diamonds sold at Diamonds Factory are ethically chosen, crafted in-house and delivered straight to your door. Diamonds Factory has served more than 75,000 happy customers with six showrooms across Europe.
Diamonds Factory boxes are specially designed to complement and protect the jewellery they house. The beautiful faux suede lining combined with the delicate gold details creates a luxurious packaging that will display the jewellery in the best possible way.
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