Engagement ring care: what to do at home and when to visit the atelier
13.08.2026 · Rauno Oidram
A diamond is the hardest natural material on earth, but the ring as a whole needs simple, regular care: a home clean a couple of times a month, breaks from wear at the right moments, and a yearly setting check at the atelier. That is all it takes to keep it brilliant for decades.
Cleaning at home — properly
Fingers leave a film of cream and soap on the stone that dims it unnoticed. The cure is simple: lukewarm water, a drop of dish soap, a 10–15 minute soak, and a soft toothbrush under the stone and between the claws. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. What not to do: toothpaste, baking soda and "miracle cleaners" scratch the metal; chlorine and bleach genuinely damage gold.
When to take the ring off
- Sport and lifting — a knock against a bar can bend the band oval.
- Cleaning the house — chlorine and strong chemicals are gold's enemies.
- Hand cream and sunscreen — the film builds up under the stone and dulls it.
- Swimming and sauna — cold water slims the fingers and rings slip; pool water carries chlorine.
An honest addition rarely said out loud: do not keep the ring in a cup at the edge of the bathroom sink. Most lost rings are not lost in the street — they go down the drain.
White gold's particular need: rhodium
White gold's silvery surface is a rhodium plating that wears over years — first on the underside of the band. When a warmer tone starts to show, it is time for a refresh: a small routine service that makes the ring new again. Yellow and rose gold need no plating.
Once a year: the setting check
Small metal claws hold the stone, and daily wear slowly thins them. Once a year we check the settings at the atelier, give the ring a proper clean, and tell you honestly whether anything needs doing — the check is free. And if something ever does go wrong: manufacturing faults are covered by the lifetime warranty.
Read next: Care and warranty · Engagement ring design and metals: choosing the form that suits her hand · How ordering a ring from Keefirivunts works — step by step
Frequently asked
How often should the ring be cleaned?
At home a couple of times a month — lukewarm water, a drop of dish soap, a soft brush. Once a year, a proper clean and setting check at the atelier, free of charge.
Can a diamond break?
A diamond is the hardest natural material, but not unbreakable — a sharp knock at exactly the wrong angle can chip it, and far more often it is the setting that suffers. That is why the yearly claw check matters.
What if the stone feels loose?
Stop wearing the ring and bring it to the atelier at the first chance. A loose stone is the setting's warning — the fix is easy, finding a lost stone is not.
Rauno Oidram — goldsmith, Keefirivunts
Designs the Keefirivunts rings and chooses the stone that goes into each one.
