Caring For Your Gold Wedding Band

A wedding band is one of the most meaningful pieces of jewellery you will ever wear, so it's important to know how to care for it. Gold is soft and prone to wear and tear, so your gold wedding band will develop scratches and character over time. To keep it in good condition, avoid exposure to cleaning products, chlorine, and other chemicals as much as possible. Clean your ring with a solution of warm water and detergent-free soap, then lightly brush it with a soft-bristled brush and dry with a soft cloth. You can also send it back to the jeweller to be professionally polished, but only do this occasionally as it can harm the ring over time. Store your ring away from other jewellery to avoid scratches.

Avoid harsh chemicals, including cleaning products, chlorine, and perfume

Gold is a soft metal that is prone to wear and tear, so it's important to take extra care when it comes to your gold wedding band. One of the best ways to do this is to avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the metal.

Cleaning Products

Gold is highly sensitive to chemicals, so it's important to avoid using harsh cleaning products on your gold wedding band. This includes things like bleach-based cleaners and other household cleaning products. It's best to stick to mild soap and warm water when cleaning your gold ring. If you need to use a brush, opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Chlorine

Chlorine can seriously damage gold, so it's important to remove your gold wedding band before swimming in a pool or hot tub, or even just washing your hands. The chlorine in the water can cause the gold to become brittle, which can lead to discoloration, cracking, and lost stones.

Perfume

Perfume, along with lotions and sunscreens, can add residue to your gold wedding band, which can cause potential damage. It's best to remove your ring before applying any of these products. In general, it's a good idea to make your jewelry the last thing you put on when getting ready to avoid any unwanted buildup.

In addition to avoiding harsh chemicals, there are a few other things you can do to care for your gold wedding band. It's important to store your ring in a safe place, like its original box, when you're not wearing it. You should also consider getting it professionally cleaned and polished every so often to maintain its shine.

Clean with a soft-bristled brush, mild soap, and warm water

To clean your gold wedding band with a soft-bristled brush, mild soap, and warm water, start by mixing a solution of warm water and mild soap. You can use a mild dish soap, such as washing-up liquid, and detergent-free soap is best. Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of your chosen soap. Stir the water with your fingers or a spoon until it becomes bubbly.

Next, you'll want to soak your ring in the solution. Place your ring in the bowl and leave it to soak for 10 to 25 minutes. If your ring has particularly tough stains or grime, you can leave it to soak for longer—up to half an hour.

Once your ring has soaked, it's time to scrub. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub away any dirt and imperfections. Be sure to scrub between any settings or details in the ring. If your ring has diamonds or other precious stones, this will help to remove any buildup and make them shine brighter.

Finally, rinse your ring under warm running water to remove any remaining soap. Then, dry the ring with a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth or a lint-free cloth. Be sure to dry thoroughly, especially in any small crevices or between settings.

You can also finish by polishing your ring with a soft jewellery cloth to bring back its sparkle.

Don't wear your ring during high-impact activities or when handling harsh chemicals

Gold wedding bands are one of the most meaningful pieces of jewellery a person can own. However, they are still prone to wear and tear. To ensure your ring stays in pristine condition, it is best to avoid wearing it during high-impact activities or when handling harsh chemicals.

High-impact activities, such as strength training, yoga, rock climbing, kayaking, or biking, can pose a risk of injury if a metal ring is worn. The ring could get caught on equipment, ropes, or handles, and potentially lead to a ring avulsion injury. This occurs when the ring gets caught and applies tension force on the finger, puncturing the skin and potentially leading to severe damage or even amputation.

Additionally, when engaging in water-related activities, the ring could easily slide off and be lost, especially in a lake or ocean. Even in a pool, the chlorine and other chemicals can damage the gold and any alloy metals, such as those used for diamond settings.

When handling harsh chemicals, it is important to remove your gold wedding band to avoid damage. Substances like bleach, chlorine, and ammonia can harm the metal, causing it to weaken and become more brittle. Even hand sanitiser and soap can dull the shine of your ring over time.

To keep your gold wedding band in good condition, it is best to avoid wearing it during high-impact activities or when handling harsh chemicals. This will help prevent injuries and maintain the appearance and integrity of your ring.

Store your ring somewhere safe, away from other jewellery

When you're not wearing your gold wedding band, it's important to store it somewhere safe, away from other jewellery, to prevent it from getting scratched, dirty, or lost.

One option is to place your ring in its original box. This was designed to hold your ring and will help to prevent scratches and dirt. A ring box is also usually too big to lose easily. You could also use a fabric-lined jewellery box, ensuring that the ring is stored separately from other jewellery to avoid any rubbing that may cause scratches. Many boxes have a ring roll section, which is designed to keep rings apart while displaying them for easy viewing.

If you want a more compact storage option, consider a soft fabric pouch. You can place your ring inside the pouch and then store the pouch almost anywhere—for example, in a kitchen drawer while doing the dishes. This way, the other contents of the drawer won't scratch the ring, or vice versa. You can also pair the pouch with any wooden box that stays closed.

Another option is to wrap your ring in tissue and keep it in a small plastic bag, storing it in a safe place like a drawer or a safe when you're not wearing it.

Get your ring professionally cleaned and checked at least twice a year

Gold is soft and prone to scratching, so it's a good idea to get your ring professionally cleaned and checked at least twice a year. This will help maintain the structural integrity of your ring and keep it sparkling.

Most jewellers offer free cleaning services, where your ring will be steam-cleaned and examined under magnification to ensure the prongs are secure and to check for diamond fractures and loose stones.

You can also ask your jeweller to rhodium plate your ring if it's made of white gold. This will restore its original sheen and make any diamonds shine brighter. Depending on your activity level and body chemistry, you may need to rhodium plate your ring every six months to once a year.

If you want to keep your ring in pristine condition, you should also avoid swimming or showering with it on, as constant exposure to moisture can expand materials, damage finishes, and cause water damage. It's also a good idea to remove your ring before working with bleach-based cleaners and chemicals, and before swimming in chlorinated water or the ocean, as chlorine and salt water can damage gold and cause it to become brittle, leading to discolouration, cracking, and lost stones.

Remember, your wedding band is one of the most meaningful pieces of jewellery you will ever wear, so it's important to take care of it!

Frequently asked questions