
You may wear your ring so consistently, you forget about it. It's become an extension of you and your personality. Inside, outside, hand washing, and exercising; it almost never leaves you. And that could be the problem. You might be dulling or damaging and not even know it. Here are the things that damage your rings, and what you can do to keep it looking like the first day you put it on.

Lotion and Sunscreen
All the important things you're doing to take care of your skin, might be undoing your ring's sparkle and shine. Lotions and sunscreens have a way of building up in the intricate designs and little nooks on your ring. Best bet: Remove your rings before you apply any lotions, give it a minute to absorb into your skin, and then put your rings on.
Cleaning While Wearing It
Whether you're doing a quick clean up, or a weekend deep-dive, you'll want to set your rings aside. Bleach and ammonia eat away at the metal and can loosen stones. Even cleaners that are called "natural" often have damaging abrasives that are harmful to precious metals. No rings while cleaning!
Hair Styling
Hairspray, gel, mousse, and dry shampoo doesn't belong on your ring. Aerosols and sticky substances leave a residue that's sure to dull your jewelry. Set your rings aside while you do your 'do!
DIY Ring Cleaning
The internet is full of homemade jewelry cleaning remedies. It seems that every other influencer on TikTok or Instagram knows the "secret" to making your ring look like new. And, who knows? Maybe they do! (But probably not). Stiff toothbrushes and homemade chemical concoctions are sure to wear down metals and dull the shine. Your best bet is to leave the cleaning to the pros.
Cooking with Jewelry
You're busy and moving fast. Time to get dinner going and you forget one thing: Your ring. The problem with wearing your rings while cooking is that you're working with raw meat, grease, and sticky dough. And making your ring look bad might be the least of your worries. You may be carrying bacteria and germs in the tiny designs or under the ring. Yuck! Leave your jewelry OUT of the recipe!
Wearing Rings 24/7
It's time to get out of the habit of bringing your ring with you in the bed, fitness club, or shower. Any activity where you're using your hands like gardening or working out, is sure to put your rings at risk. You may not only damage them, you could lose them altogether.
Now, Where Did I Put That Again?
It's time to invest in a jewelry box or dedicated place for your ring. If you're in the habit of setting it down on the coffee table or bedside, you're probably asking for trouble. The last thing you want is for it to get bumped and roll away (or worse become a cat toy)! Let's make sure your ring has its own home when you're not wearing it. Before you take on any activity, take off the rings. Some of the things mentioned might not seem like a big deal, but it doesn't take much to do some damage.
The good news is, when you need a professional cleaning or skilled repair, you can us at Sylvan's Jewelers in Columbia for help!