> Articles by: michael

Author: michael

When Your Jewelry Needs More Than a Quick Fix — It Needs a Craftsman

By Anne Dale Jewelers | Mandeville, Louisiana

Most jewelry repairs are straightforward. A chain needs soldering. A prong needs retipping. A ring needs to go up a size. Michael handles those every day at his bench — quickly, cleanly, done while you wait in many cases.

But every so often a piece comes through the door that requires something more. A repair that asks the craftsman to think, to problem-solve, to find a solution that preserves what matters about the piece while making it wearable again. Those are the jobs that remind us why we have always believed in keeping the work in-house rather than shipping it out to an anonymous facility somewhere out of state.

The video below is a good example. A woman brought in her diamond ring — a piece she loved and had worn for years. Arthritis had made it impossible to get the ring over her knuckle, and it had been sitting in a drawer. The challenge was not simple resizing. It required modifying the ring in a way that would allow it to pass over an arthritic knuckle and then sit properly on the finger — without compromising the design or the integrity of the piece.

Why On-Site Repair Makes the Difference

When a piece of jewelry leaves your hands and gets shipped somewhere, you lose something important — direct communication with the person doing the work. You cannot describe the problem fully. They cannot ask you questions. The nuance of what matters about the piece gets lost in translation.

At our store in Mandeville, Michael is here. You can sit across from him and explain exactly what you need. He can look at the piece, ask the right questions, and tell you honestly what is possible and what is not. That conversation — between the owner of the piece and the craftsman who will work on it — is something you simply cannot replicate when the repair goes out of house.

Michael Dale has been working at a jeweler’s bench for over 40 years. Master Goldsmith. Diamond setter. On-site every day at our Mandeville location. Whether the job is a minor repair or a complex restoration, the same hands and the same level of care go into every piece.

Every Piece Has a Story Worth Preserving

We have been doing this long enough to know that jewelry is rarely just jewelry. The ring that cannot get over an arthritic knuckle is not just a ring — it is forty years of marriage sitting in a drawer unused. The heirloom bracelet that needs restoration is not just old metal — it is a grandmother who is no longer here but whose presence deserves to be carried forward.

That is the weight behind the work. We do not take it lightly and neither should anyone trusted to do it.

If you have a piece that needs more than a routine repair — something that requires real thought, real skill, and someone who genuinely cares about getting it right — bring it in. We offer free estimates on all repairs and Michael is here to take a look in person.

No appointment needed. Walk-ins always welcome. Anne Dale Jewelers — 829 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, Louisiana. Serving the Northshore since 1983.

Timeless Wedding Bands

When it comes to dream wedding bands or anniversary rings, there are so many stunning options to consider. Whether you’re looking for a timeless wedding ring set, a classic wedding ring, or a diamond anniversary band with colorful gemstones, the choice ultimately depends on your personal style and preferences. Here are a few ideas for each category:

1. Wedding Ring Set with Diamonds:

A wedding ring set typically consists of an engagement ring and a matching wedding band. For a timeless and elegant look, you might consider a set with a solitaire diamond engagement ring and a matching diamond-studded wedding band. The choice of metal—white, yellow, or rose gold—depends on your skin tone and personal preference.

2. Classic Wedding Band:

If you’re drawn to classic and understated designs, a simple yet elegant wedding band might be perfect. You can choose a solid 14k gold band in your preferred color, or opt for a white gold or platinum band with a brushed or polished finish. Engraving your wedding date or a meaningful message on the inside can add a personal touch.

3. Diamond Anniversary Wedding Bands:

For an anniversary band, you could choose a design that features a row of sparkling diamonds. This could be a channel-set band where diamonds are set within a groove, or a prong-set band with diamonds showcased prominently. You can choose the number of diamonds based on your preference and budget.

4. Colorful Gemstone Anniversary Band:

If you’re interested in adding a pop of color to your anniversary band, consider choosing gemstones in addition to or instead of diamonds. Sapphire, ruby, emerald, and other precious or semi-precious gemstones can create a stunning and unique look. These gemstones can be alternated with diamonds or set in a pattern around the band.

5. Stackable Wedding Rings:

Stackable rings are a trendy option for creating a customized and versatile look. You can mix and match different bands in various metals and styles. You might have a combination of plain bands, diamond-studded bands, and gemstone bands that can be worn together or separately.

Remember, the most important aspect of choosing wedding or anniversary bands is that they reflect your personal style and the meaning behind a true commitment. Take your time to explore different options, try on different styles, and choose the rings that resonate with you and your partner.

When to Get the Prongs Re-tipped on Your Diamond Engagement Ring

You probably don’t realize that four small pieces of metal are the only things which keep the center stone in place on your diamond engagement ring. And for their size, they are expected to bear a considerable amount of pressure. You might find that, over time, the prongs are snagging on your clothes and your hair. We are experts in prongs and jewelry repair.

As they raise up more and more, you run a greater risk of losing the diamond in your engagement ring. This means that you should make an appointment with your local jeweler to get your prongs re-tipped.

About the Re-tipping Process

When re-tipping the prongs on your diamond engagement ring, the jeweler fortifies them by adding new metal pieces to help them hold the center stone better. Keep in mind that the prongs on your diamond engagement ring can only be re-tipped if they are broken or worn, but not missing entirely. In that case, you would need to rebuild them instead.

Why You Should Get Your Engagement Ring Re-tipped

Jewelry experts have found that the prongs tend to decline at the same time, because brides wear their engagement rings so often. However, they observe that the prongs on the outside of the ring are more likely to get damaged faster.

As we mentioned earlier, weak prongs can enhance the likelihood that your center stone might fall out of the setting. If one of the prongs on your diamond engagement ring looks flatter than the others, you might consider reinforcing them all as a precaution.

When You Should Get Your Engagement Ring Re-tipped

It would be wise to get the prongs on your diamond engagement ring re-tipped every five to ten years. Just don’t make it the first time that you ever visit the jewelry store!

Even though your diamond engagement ring appears pristine, there are some hidden defects that could need to be repaired. We recommend that our customers schedule an appointment every six months to have their engagement rings inspected and cleaned. That way, we can determine anything which merits your attention before the worst-case scenario happens.

When you consider the expense of replacing the stone in your diamond engagement ring, it is relatively affordable to get the prongs re-tipped. Most jewelry stores charge no more than $25 per prong, and it can cost as little as $10 each.

Where to Get Your Ring Repaired

Located at 829 Asbury Drive in Mandeville, Anne Dale Jewelers has provided the Northshore with jewelry repair services for the past forty years. When the prongs on your diamond engagement need to be re-tipped, make sure to schedule an appointment with us. Call us today at (985) 626-4266.

The three months’ salary rule is a marketing invention. You should know that before anyone tries to use it on you.

In the 1930s, De Beers — the diamond mining company — created an advertising campaign to boost diamond sales during the Great Depression. The original suggestion was one month’s salary. By the 1980s their marketing had quietly inflated it to three. There is no gemological basis for this number. There is no financial logic behind it. It was invented by the people who profit when you spend more.

We are telling you this because we would rather you spend the right amount than the most amount.

What the right amount actually is

The right amount to spend on an engagement ring is the amount that lets you buy a stone you are genuinely proud of without creating financial pressure at the beginning of a marriage.

That number is different for every couple. We have helped couples find extraordinary rings at every price point. What determines whether the ring is right is not the budget — it is the knowledge applied to that budget.

A GIA Certified Gemologist working within a $3,000 budget will find you a better ring than an uninformed shopper spending $6,000 at a chain store. The difference is knowing which compromises cost you nothing visible and which ones you will notice every day.

Where the money actually goes

Understanding what drives diamond pricing helps you spend intelligently.

Cut is where we never recommend compromising. A well-cut stone returns light beautifully regardless of its color or clarity grade. A poorly cut stone looks dim at any price. The difference between an Excellent cut and a Good cut is visible to the naked eye and worth every dollar.

Color and clarity are where intelligent compromises live. A G or H color diamond faces up white in almost any setting. A VS2 or SI1 clarity stone with well-positioned inclusions is visually clean without the premium of a flawless grade. Moving from D color to G, or from VVS1 to VS2, can free up significant budget to put toward cut or carat weight where you will actually see the difference.

Carat weight has pricing thresholds at round numbers — 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.50. A 0.95-carat diamond is visually identical to a 1.00-carat stone but sits in a lower pricing tier. Staying just below those thresholds is one of the most practical ways to maximize what you get.

What your fiancée actually wants

Most people who come in convinced they know exactly what she wants discover something more nuanced when they sit down with us. The shape she mentioned once may not be the shape that suits her hand. The setting she pointed to online may not be available in the metal she prefers or may not hold a stone securely for daily wear.

This is why we ask you to tell us about her — how she dresses, what her lifestyle is, whether she works with her hands, what jewelry she already wears and loves. The ring that is right for her is specific. A conversation gets you there faster than a catalog.

What we don’t do

We don’t have a minimum spend. We don’t work on commission. We don’t show you stones outside your budget to make you feel like what you can afford isn’t enough.

You tell us your number at the beginning of the conversation and we work within it. That is the only way this works honestly.

The Northshore has a resource most people don’t use

A GIA Certified Gemologist and a Master Goldsmith in the same room, available by appointment, working with one couple at a time. That is not a common combination. It exists here, in Mandeville, without requiring a trip across the lake.

Whatever your budget — bring it to us. We will show you what it can do.

Schedule your diamond appointment →

Local Jewelers: Getting the Most Value out of Purchasing a Diamond Engagement Ring

You have made the decision to ask for your girlfriend’s hand in marriage. Purchasing an Engagement Ring should be a joyful labor of love.

When you start gathering suggestions for the right jeweler, someone will probably bring up a national chain. After all, they have cornered the market with large-scale advertising campaigns and thus achieved global fame.

Before you get tempted to buy your engagement ring at these stores, please think about the shopping experience you will have, the ultimate quality of the jewelry displayed, and most importantly, the overall value you will receive.

In this article, one of the Northshore’s leading private jewelers will share the three most important factors that determine an engagement ring’s value and the reasons why local stores are more likely to consider them.

Price

When purchasing an engagement ring jewelry experts will attest to the fact that national chains mark up the prices on their inventory, but the quality won’t match the cost they demand.

You will find the most competitive prices at a local jeweler, because we take the time to develop a relationship with you. This means that we’ll learn about your budget and work around it until we find the most appropriate engagement ring for you. Plus, you’ll know that every piece of jewelry has been personally made for our customers.

Your engagement ring will possess its own unique story, just like the journey of your love.

Quality

Most of the merchandise sold by national jewelry chains – if not the entire stock – has been purchased in large quantities. You cannot guarantee that these exporters check the four C’s on each diamond, and you run the risk of ending up with a mediocre piece of jewelry.

Local jewelry stores are typically owned by GIA-certified professionals who understand what makes a good diamond. They believe that quality ranks above all other elements when choosing the right stones for their pieces. At our store, a gemologist will provide a curated selection of diamonds and take you through the grades on each one, so you can be sure that you’ll get a beautifully designed engagement ring.

Design

Because national jewelry chains buy their inventory from diamond manufacturers, the engagement ring designs are not truly original. Instead, they are mass-produced without giving any thought to the customers’ unique preferences. When thousands of people are wearing that same engagement ring, you don’t feel very special. You want something that has been created for you, rather than the hottest engagement ring on the market. If this sounds true, a local jeweler can design a customized ring for the proposal.

We are proud of the personal touch that goes into every piece we put in our showcases, because we value your experience.

Come Visit Us

At Anne Dale Jewelers, we want to help you find the engagement ring of your dreams.

We have been serving the Mandeville community for the past 40 years, and we treat our customers like our family. Our newly expanded engagement ring gallery features a wide variety of diamonds, and if you don’t see something you like, we can create the perfect ring for you.

Meet with a GIA-certified gemologist and master craftsman at our store. We will happily answer any questions, whether you haven’t started your search or you know exactly what you want.

Visit us at 829 Asbury Drive, or set up an appointment by calling (985) 626-4266 today.

At Anne Dale Jewelers, we want to help you find the engagement ring of your dreams. Choose something from our newly expanded gallery, or let us build a custom piece of jewelry for you. We have been serving the Northshore for 40 years, and we are very passionate about diamonds.

Set up an appointment with a GIA-certified gemologist today. Either visit our store at 829 Asbury Drive or give us a call at (985) 626-4266. Your experience matters to us!

ANNE DALE JEWELERS — MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA

The 4Cs of Diamonds

A GIA GEMOLOGIST’S HONEST GUIDE FOR ENGAGEMENT RING BUYERS

GIA CERTIFIED GEMOLOGIST | MASTER GOLDSMITH ON-SITE | SERVING THE NORTHSHORE SINCE 1983

BEFORE YOU WALK INTO ANY JEWELRY STORE

Understanding the 4Cs is not about sounding knowledgeable. It is about knowing whether what you are being shown is worth what you are being asked to pay.

This guide was written by Anne Dale — GIA Certified Gemologist and Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain — with over forty years of experience evaluating diamonds on the Northshore and beyond. It is not a sales pitch. It is what we tell every couple who sits across from us before we show them a single stone.

The 4Cs are a starting point — not a finish line.

THE FOUR CS

Cut · Color · Clarity · Carat

Cut

The most important C. Determines how light behaves inside the stone. A well-cut diamond sparkles — a poorly cut one looks dim regardless of its other grades.

Color

Measures yellow tint — not the flashes of color you see. D is colorless and the rarest. G–H is where most couples find the best value — faces up white at a fraction of D–F pricing.

Clarity

Grades the natural inclusions inside the stone. SI1 is the sweet spot — clean to the naked eye, only findable with a loupe. If you can’t see it, it isn’t there.

Carat

A unit of weight — not size. Price jumps at round numbers. A 0.95-carat stone is visually identical to a 1.00-carat but sits in a lower price tier. Stay just below the thresholds.

CUT — THE KING OF THE FOUR CS

The one C that is entirely the result of human skill.

Cut is not the shape of the diamond. Round, oval, cushion, emerald — those are shapes. Cut refers to how precisely the stone has been faceted — the angles, proportions and finish that determine how light behaves inside it.

A well-cut diamond takes light in through the top, bounces it between facets and returns it through the top as brilliance, fire and scintillation. A poorly cut diamond leaks light through the sides or bottom and looks dim regardless of its color or clarity grade.

Color and clarity are natural characteristics of the stone. Cut is a choice. A well-cut stone of modest color and clarity will outperform a poorly cut stone with superior grades in both. We never recommend compromising on cut regardless of budget.

The GIA grades cut on five levels: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. For an engagement ring worn every day for a lifetime — Excellent or Very Good. Full stop.

COLOR — WHAT THE SCALE ACTUALLY MEANS

Yellow tint — and the lack of it.

The GIA color scale runs from D to Z. D is colorless. Z is a stone with visible yellow or brown tint. The scale measures the absence of color — the less color present, the rarer and more valuable the stone.

D · E · F

COLORLESS

Rarest and most expensive. The difference between D and F is invisible to the naked eye.

G · H · I

OUR SWEET SPOT

Faces up white in almost any setting. Excellent value. Where most couples find the right balance.

J · K · L

FAINT COLOR

Visible warmth in white gold settings. Pairs beautifully with yellow gold which absorbs the warmth.

M · Z

VISIBLE COLOR

Significant yellow tint. Rarely appropriate for a center stone engagement ring at any price point.

CLARITY — WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT SEE

If you can’t see it with your naked eye — it isn’t there.

Every natural diamond forms under extreme heat and pressure over billions of years. Almost all of them contain internal characteristics called inclusions. The GIA clarity scale grades how visible these are under 10x magnification.

The practical question is not what grade the stone carries — it is whether the inclusions are visible to the naked eye. A stone graded SI1 with inclusions near the edge, partially hidden by a prong, may look cleaner than a VS2 stone with an inclusion positioned directly under the table.

A grading report tells you the grade. A gemologist tells you what the grade looks like in practice. That distinction is why you are here.

CARAT — WEIGHT NOT SIZE

One hundred points make a carat. Price jumps at round numbers.

Carat is a unit of weight, not a measurement of diameter. Two diamonds of identical carat weight can appear different sizes depending on how they are cut — a well-cut one-carat stone will appear larger than a deep-cut stone of the same weight because more of the mass is distributed across the face.

Diamonds are priced in weight categories and the price jumps at round numbers — 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.50 carats. A 0.95-carat diamond is visually indistinguishable from a 1.00-carat diamond but is priced in a lower category.

Staying just below those thresholds is one of the most effective ways to maximize what you get for your money.

WHERE OUR DIAMONDS COME FROM

Anne travels to source diamonds personally.

We do not carry a case of inventory waiting to be sold. We bring in stones specifically for your appointment — personally evaluated by a GIA Certified Gemologist before they ever reach Mandeville.

COME LOOK THROUGH THE LOUPE

See what the grades look like in person.

At Anne Dale Jewelers we source diamonds specifically for each couple. We walk you through every stone, show you what we see through the loupe, and help you find the one that is right for her — not the one with the best grade on paper.

No pressure. No commission. Just the stone, the loupe and an honest conversation.

Schedule Your Diamond Appointment

Call or Text — (985) 626-4266

829 ASBURY DRIVE | MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA 70471 | (985) 626-4266

The Engagement Ring Experience →

What is a Halo Engagement Ring and Could It Be the Next Marquis Diamond?

With a distinguished and classic appearance, halo engagement rings might make your significant other feel like a famous celebrity.

Hollywood stars and members of the Royal Family gravitate towards this particular ring style because it looks breathtaking on the finger of their beautiful lady, while symbolizing old-world charm.

But many jewelry experts wonder whether this trend will precede along the same path as the marquis diamond, which became outdated after celebrities no longer fueled the fire.

About Halo Engagement Rings

Jewelry designers create the halo effect on an engagement ring through placing smaller diamonds or other gemstones around the center stone. This allows the center stone to sparkle brighter and catch more light.

Gemologists have found that not all diamond shapes work with the halo design, so they typically use the round cut, oval cut, princess cut, cushion cut, and radiant cut diamonds for this ring style.

Many future brides choose halo engagement rings for their versatile nature, since there isn’t just one way to interpret the look. A woman who values tradition may prefer to have a diamond as the center stone, whereas a more style-minded woman may put a colored gemstone in the middle.

Having smaller diamonds also increases the carat weight of the halo engagement ring, but it provides more bang for your buck than buying one with a larger single diamond.

Another popular aspect of halo engagement rings – and one not often pondered – is the fact that the pavé gemstones form a shield around the center stone, therefore protecting it from accidental damage.

More Than a Fashion Trend

Marquise diamond engagement rings were in their prime between the 1970s and the 1990s, when the popularity of disco music turned everyone’s fancies toward vivid and eccentric looks. Eventually, their ubiquitous presence in bridal jewelry made them into secondhand pieces which were passed from mother to daughter – and they faded from the stores. Jewelry designers have ventured the theory that halo engagement rings will do the same.

Given the long history of these settings, however, we would argue that they will maintain the same favor as the solitaire engagement ring. Here are some reasons why that might be.

Consider that a woman can never have too many diamonds for her taste, and buying a halo engagement ring guarantees plenty of them. Whether the diamond takes center stage or appears in the pavéd crown of the halo, her engagement ring will brighten the room for every side.

Plus, jewelers discovered that they could not do much with a marquis diamond and it wasn’t contemporary enough to last. The same isn’t true for halo engagement rings, because they can vary the precious metal used for the setting, the stones in the ring itself, and the cut of the diamond to add a modern twist.

Come Visit Us for Your Halo Engagement Ring Needs

Located at 829 Asbury Drive in Mandeville, Anne Dale Jewelers’ newly expanded engagement ring gallery features a wide collection of halo-style settings. We offer all shapes and metals, including some platinum options.

If you still don’t see an engagement ring that you like, visit our showroom to design a customized piece of jewelry. A GIA-certified gemologist and a master goldsmith are always on hand, making sure that you receive a product that you will cherish forever. You can also call to set up an appointment at (985) 626-4266.

Engagement Ring Bands: White Gold or Yellow Gold?

No two metals are more classic than white gold and yellow gold for an engagement ring band. Each one provides a distinct beauty for the center stone, and jewelers adapt their trends to match these setting choices. When you are deciding on the perfect metal for your unique engagement ring, it’s important to know whether white gold or yellow gold works best.

We will compare the two metals in depth, so that you can be more informed while you seek out – or customarily design – your engagement ring.

Engagement Ring Bands a Case for White Gold

White Gold Looks More Attractive

Jewelers recommend a white gold setting to their customers because it is an impressive metal that never goes out of style. Not only will the milky color enhance the appearance of your engagement ring, but it will also accentuate every shade in your closet.

White Gold Is Less Expensive than Platinum

You might desire a lighter tone for your engagement ring, but the price of platinum gives you sticker shock. That’s why so many people choose white gold settings instead. White gold is more prevalent than platinum when it comes to the mining process, so it doesn’t cost as much. Choosing a white gold setting will save you some money, while ensuring a great purchase.

It’s Easy to Find a Selection of White Gold Rings

Jewelers have picked up on the secret that white gold is more affordable than platinum, so they offer a wider range of options for these settings. With this fact in mind, you will never have trouble looking for a white gold ring – but you might not be able to choose your favorite, either!

White Gold Works Better with Colored Gemstones

Most people mistake white gold settings for silver, because the rhodium plating creates a pearly sheen on the ring. Perhaps this is the reason why white gold pairs better with colored gemstones, especially the cool-toned ones like emeralds and blue sapphires. Jewelers also find that white gold makes diamonds look purer.

The Drawbacks of White Gold

White Gold Is More Fragile

Jewelers advise that white gold does not endure as long as other metals, because it’s naturally softer. These settings gradually shed their coating over time, causing visible scratches to appear on the band. With everyday wear, the ring will therefore develop a yellow shade instead of the white tint which first caught your eye.

White Gold Rings Require More Maintenance

Sustaining the manufactured color of white gold takes some work to accomplish, and the upkeep will eventually cost you a small fortune. Make two yearly appointments with your local jeweler to put a new rhodium plating on the ring, one for the first six months and another for the next six months. You will also need to polish the ring regularly, since it will easily lose its luster.

White Gold Might Cause Allergic Reactions

Rather than being made from pure gold, white gold is actually a combination of many lighter-colored alloys. This mixture often includes silver, palladium, nickel, and zinc, which might irritate sensitive skin for wearers who have allergies to any of those metals. No engagement ring will look beautiful on an itchy and red finger!

The Case for Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Creates a More Iconic Look

Jewelers will promote yellow gold engagement ring bands for their stately appearance and their reputation as the quintessential precious metal. After all, 18-karat gold is the purest form available. Plus, yellow gold settings can be used to give engagement rings a vintage touch.

Yellow Gold Complements All Skin Tones

Prospective brides who have darker skin tones, especially olive and brown, might be more attracted to yellow gold engagement rings. The golden hues emphasize the warm color of the skin, while simultaneously making the ring stand out on her finger. Those with cooler tones benefit from yellow gold settings, as well, since they have found that it casts a small glow and actually brightens their skin.

Yellow Gold Is Easier to Manage

If you purchase an engagement ring that’s set in yellow gold, it will save multiple visits to the jewelry store for maintenance appointments. Yellow gold is a natural metal, so it holds onto its color without the hassle of replating every six months. In addition, you will find that it can effortlessly be upgraded and modified – should you find the occasion to make any changes over the years.

The Drawbacks of Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Overwhelms the Diamond

Jewelers have found that, when paired with a yellow gold setting, diamonds develop an amber tint in certain types of light. This might reflect the way that the diamond has been shaped, because it most often happens with shallow-cut stones. Light escapes through the bottom of these diamonds, causing it to pick up other colors. If you want the perfect sparkle and clarity for your ring, choose a different setting than yellow gold.

Yellow Gold Demands Frequent Repair

Although yellow gold does not need to be replated like white gold, greater care is vital to this metal’s stamina. By nature, gold is a softer metal than others used for engagement ring settings like platinum. This makes it more prone to being scratched and dented, so you must polish the engagement ring regularly.

Yellow Gold Is Not Cheap

We already mentioned that yellow gold is one of the purest precious metals, because it contains no mixed alloys. This ensures that, in every jewelry product with a yellow gold setting, there is a timeless and beautiful work of art. However, it also means that the ring will cost more than those engagement rings set in other metals. If you consider money to be an object, you might opt for white gold instead.

Whether you prefer an engagement ring set in white gold or yellow gold, Anne Dale Jewelers will surely have the ideal piece of jewelry for you. Now located at 829 Asbury Drive in Mandeville, we have recently expanded our engagement ring gallery to feature a larger selection of bands and styles. Meet with a GIA-certified gemologist and master goldsmith to find – or design – the ring of your dreams.

Top 8 Tricks to Keep Your Engagement Ring Clean

Ever since you answered the proposal with a resounding yes, you likely haven’t wanted to take off your engagement ring. Of course not – it is a status symbol and it affirms the love of your fiance. After wearing it every day, however, you may notice that the ring no longer bears the same sparkle.

You shouldn’t worry, since you can easily restore the gleam to that rock on your finger. Here are some tips from a GIA-certified gemologist to help your engagement ring clean and stay beautiful.

Tip #1: Remove Your Ring When Working with Your Hands

You probably don’t realize how much you use your hands until you are wearing a dearly loved piece of jewelry on a daily basis. We recommend taking off your engagement ring whenever you are working the garden, using tools, exercising at the gym, moving heavy objects, swimming, or anything else that involves dirty work to keep ring clean.

Tip #2: Avoid Letting Lotions Touch Your Ring Clean

You will want to leave your engagement ring out of your skincare routine, as lotions can make the stone and the setting appear filmy over time. It would be best to take off your engagement ring while applying makeup, too, because you take the chance of gathering powder and dust on your jewelry.

Tip #3: Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals

It is always important to remove your engagement ring when you are doing housework or otherwise dealing with any harsh chemicals. Cleaning supplies like dish soap and bleach contain caustic substances that can damage the metals used for your ring’s finish – not to mention, ruin any colored gemstones.

Tip #4: Schedule Regular Cleanings with Your Jeweler

To make sure that your engagement ring always looks tidy, we recommend visiting your jeweler for a thorough cleaning every six months. Just like a dentist does for your teeth, these professionals use special cleaners and industrial tools on the diamond to restore its sparkle. Even if they can’t provide the service, they can suggest a good solution to purchase.

Tip #5: Never Cook While Wearing Your Ring

This might seem like a strange idea, but it’s a highly practical one. Cooking utensils are typically made from metal, so you run the risk of scratching the stone or hurting the ring itself. Cooking oils and pan juices might also prove destructive for the diamond’s beauty. Plus, food particles can collect in the prongs on your engagement ring – and you do not want to spend time picking them out. That being said, you should take off your jewelry before making daily meals.

Tip #6: Do Not Touch the Center Stone

You may not have considered this piece of advice, since the stone in your engagement ring looks so gorgeous. However, it is important to refrain from touching the diamond at all times. Diamonds naturally attract dust, dirt, and body oils, which can make your ring appear dingy. To take off and put on the ring, we suggest grasping the sides of the band instead.

Tip #7: Polish Your Ring Every Week

You wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to give yourself some tender loving care every week, so your engagement ring should not be any different. You may consider using Anne Dale’s professional jewelry cleaner and take a few minutes on a particular day to soak your ring, scrub gently with a toothbrush then rinse in warm water. Afterwards, run the ring under warm water for a few seconds.

Tip #8: Never Sleep in Your Ring

We understand that you want to make everyone jealous with your engagement ring, but no one will see it while you’re sleeping. With that in mind, you would be advised to take off your ring before you slide back the covers at night. Your skin can shed all kinds of oils and dirt during sleep, wreaking havoc on the stone in your engagement ring. So it would be best to place your ring in a dish on your nightstand.

You won’t always remember to take off your engagement ring before performing certain activities, but we still hope that these tips might give you some subtle reminders about protecting the beauty of the stone and the setting. No matter how much wear and tear it goes through, rest assured – your engagement ring can get back its sparkle with a little work. When you need an appointment to have your ring cleaned, either visit Anne Dale Jewelers at 829 Asbury Drive in Mandeville or call (985) 626-4266.