Whether through normal wear and tear or something more serious, your engagement ring will eventually need repairs. Protect your precious investment by ensuring timely and regular repairs, and your ring will continue to shine as brilliantly as the day it was first worn.

The Stone

Diamonds are the strongest substance known to man, but they can still become scratched or damaged. Other gemstones are at an even greater risk of damage, especially if they are not cared for properly. While the majority of surface damage (such as scratches and minor flaws) are not serious and can be polished away relatively easily, there are some types of damage that will require a professional jeweler to fix.

If your stone has deep flaws or inclusions, these can cause the stone to crack or even fall apart. While higher quality stones can resist damage more easily than flawed stones, it’s a good idea to regularly check your ring for damage. Minor to moderate damage can normally be repaired with a filling treatment. In instances where the stone is damaged beyond repair, you will have to replace the entire stone. Though relatively rare, this type of damage does happen and the stone will need to be replaced by a reputable jeweler.

The Setting

Even durable settings are prone to damage. In fact, ring settings are more likely to be damaged than any other part of the ring. Prong settings are prone to break and become lose and may need to be tightened or completely replaced. While simple settings are less likely to become damaged, if your engagement ring has a very intricate setting you should take extra precaution when wearing it. For example, if your ring has a lot of accent stones, these can easily fall out or break when used in a poor setting.

Daily wear can also cause minor nicks and scratches to the band of the ring, but these are usually not serious. If they detract from the overall beauty and your enjoyment of the ring, you can have them buffed out. Deep cuts or gouges to the band may need more intense repairs. If a band becomes warped, you will need to have a professional jeweler reshape the band. You can reduce the likelihood of this happening by replacing the metal in your ring with a stronger metal, such as platinum. White and yellow gold is softer, and thus can warp more easily.

Don’t Forget…

While it should go without saying, you should never attempt to repair your engagement ring on your own. Even minor problems can become irreparable if you try to fix them without the aid of a professional. When you take your ring in for repairs, make sure you are completely satisfied with the work before leaving the store. Your engagement ring is a precious memento of your love for one another; as such, you should be just as happy with the ring after repairs as you were the moment it was presented to you.