How To Care For Your Sapphire Engagement Ring

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by Suzanne Sachs — 5 min read

THE BASICS ---

A sapphire engagement ring can be a stunning piece with a luxurious burst of color, but it takes proper care to keep a sapphire ring looking its best. This is especially important for an engagement ring that will be worn nearly constantly, but fortunately it is easy to keep your sapphire engagement ring looking brilliant.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW---

In this guide, we will explain the following:

• The Significance of Inspections
• Sapphire Ring Care
• Durability and Hardness
• Mild Dish Soap Cleaning
• Harsh Chemicals
• Prongs
• What Not To Do To Your Sapphire Ring
• Do Not Wear To The Gym
• Take Off When Cooking
• Try Not To Touch Center Gemstones
• Consider Insurance
• Choosing a Sapphire Engagement Ring

The Significance of Inspections

Before attempting any special care, cleaning, or adjustments to a sapphire ring, it's crucial to have a thorough professional inspection. An experienced jeweler can identify potential weaknesses or excessive wear in the setting that could lead to stone loss or misalignment. The inspection will also determine the types of stones, metals, and accents in your ring to recommend the proper care without risking discoloration or damage. Even after the initial inspection, annual examinations are recommended to ensure no changes occur through ongoing wear that could devalue your ring.

Sapphire Ring Care

1. Durability and Hardness

A form of the mineral corundum, sapphires are one of the hardest natural gemstones other than diamond, registering 9/10 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means sapphires are very durable gems, well able to withstand casual nicks, scratches, or cracks, but they can accidentally scratch other gems. Because of this, sapphire engagement rings should always be stored in their own separate small pouches or jewelry compartments so there is no risk of damage either to the engagement ring or any other jewelry when the engagement ring isn’t being worn.

2. Mild Dish Soap Cleaning

Sapphire engagement rings are easy to clean with a warm, soapy water. Use gentle degreasing soap, such as mild dish soap, to remove residue on the ring, and gently scrub the ring with a soft bristle brush such as an old toothbrush. This will loosen and remove dirt, dust, oil, and other debris that has become lodged in the ring’s setting, ensuring thorough cleanliness and a dazzling ring. If the ring is exceptionally dirty, soaking the ring in the soapy water for 10-20 minutes will ensure a deeper clean.

After washing, dry the ring gently with a lint-free cloth, polishing the surface of the stone for the brightest shine. Do not use harsher or abrasive chemicals to clean sapphires. The ring should not be cleaned with alcohol, acetone, paint thinner, bleach, or other solutions that could damage the finish and discolor the setting, and never use picks, needles, steel wool, or other harsh materials to try and clean the ring.

3. Harsh Chemicals

To keep a sapphire engagement ring looking gorgeous, it is best to remove the ring when your hands may come into contact with harsh chemicals or greases, or when there is a risk of damaging the ring with harsh knocks. For example, always remove an engagement ring when gardening, swimming in chlorinated water, using hair dye, applying lotion, doing housework with cleaning chemicals, or when participating in sports or exercise.

4. Prongs

It is also important to inspect a sapphire engagement ring regularly for any signs of damage, especially for loosened settings or bent prongs that may not be holding stones as securely. While your own inspections can often spot such damage, it is wise to take your engagement ring back to the jeweler every year for a more detailed inspection and repairs if necessary.

What Not To Do Do To Your Sapphire Ring:

In order to provide your sapphire engagement ring with the best possible care, you need to do more than clean it properly. You also need to know what not to do in order to protect your ring, such as…

1. Do Not Wear To The Gym

Avoid wearing your sapphire ring when going to the gym, gardening, cleaning the house, playing sports, or doing any heavy labor. These activities can involve bumps and rubs that could easily chip, scratch, or dent the ring or its setting.

2. Take off When Cooking

Avoid wearing your ring while cooking or baking when your hands will come into contact with flour, cooking oil, grease, or other foods. These substances can quickly cause buildup and tarnish on the sapphire and setting or get lodged in the ring's intricate details.

3. Try Not To Touch Center Gemstone

Avoid touching the sapphire or setting when picking up, putting on, or removing your ring. Instead, handle the ring by the band to prevent depositing skin oils and fingerprints on the stones or setting.

4. Consider Insurance

Your vintage sapphire ring is a special investment, regardless of its cost. It represents your amazing relationship, holds a unique history, and can be difficult to replace if lost, stolen, or damaged. To protect this investment, consider insuring your ring. Some home insurance policies can be updated to cover jewelry, or you can explore a special policy specifically for your ring or all your jewelry. Depending on the policy, insurance may also cover resizing or resetting your ring if the prongs wear out. To obtain an appropriate policy, you may need to have your ring independently appraised and provide copies of your purchase paperwork.

Caring For Your Sapphire Engagement Ring

Sapphire engagement rings are stunning symbols that beautifully express the deep love and unwavering commitment a couple shares. The vibrant blue hues of the sapphire represent loyalty, trust, and sincerity, making them a perfect choice for such a meaningful occasion. With proper care, your sapphire engagement ring can be a beautiful testament to your love and commitment for many happy anniversaries to come.

Suzanne Sachs

Suzanne has always believed vintage rings can change lives. She's been in the jewelry industry for over 35 years, working with vintage jewelers, diamond dealers, diamond cutters, and gemologists. Suzanne started Artdecodiamonds in 2000 and understood the demand for vintage rings throughout the world. She ultimately started VintageDiamondRing.com in 2014, and understands each vintage ring is a reflection of you – your history, your relationships, your style, your elegance and is honored to have the opportunity to help you showcase your flair in a unique and exquisite way.