You would do research to find the best time for you to purchase promise ring set. It's also important to determine the best way to clean your engagement ring. Regular maintenance will keep your engagement ring in top condition. But how often should you do this? As outlined above, cleaning it with mild soapy water once a week should suffice to keep dirt and gunk away. Experts agree that you should bring your matching jewelry to a jeweler at least twice a yearly for a cleaning. This can be done more often if the ring is regularly exposed to debris. Professional jewelers will use ultrasonic jewelry cleaning to restore the sparkle of your ring. Your ring will always look great with routine cleaning. It also reduces the amount of cleaning required each time.

 What not to use when cleaning your couple necklaces: the pros weigh in

 Mark Mann, director of Global Jewelry Manufacturing Arts, at the GIA says that you should avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners. This includes chlorine, acetone or bleach. Mann says that "these harsh chemicals can dissolve some of the base materials in your ring." Also, he adds: "Never use any abrasive product such as toothpaste or baking soda. They can easily scratch metals and especially gold."

 Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners are not recommended by most experts. Although they may seem like a good idea, it isn't the safest way to clean your fine jewelry. It may appear to be an efficient method, as the machine sends vibrations and cleaning solution through water in order to agitate your jewelry within minutes. However, it is not the safest way to clean fine jewelry. The aggressive movements within the device can loosen stones, as Mann points out. A jeweler will also be able to examine the ring and determine if any stones have become loose after cleaning. You may not notice this until you run it through the machine, but then have a stone fall out. For professional results, it's best to leave jewelry cleaning to professionals.

 Engagement Ring Maintenance 101: Tips for Care

 It's important to know how to properly clean your diamond-alternative engagement ring. But it's equally important to follow these guidelines to prevent your ring from prematurely aging or being damaged.

 Keep up with routine maintenance. Whether or not you have a guarantee, it is best to have your engagement rings inspected every year to make sure they are in good shape. If you have a warranty, keeping up with your appointments for regular inspections at the jeweler can help to prevent existing problems such as cracks, chips or loose stones.

 Avoid using hand creams or lotions. While it is normal to moisturize the hands, it's not a good idea to expose your engagement ring and wedding band to these products. They can cause discoloration and give it a dull appearance. It is especially important to remove wedding and engagement bands when using lotions and creams.

 Handle with Care: This goes without saying but your engagement ring can be delicate. Even though diamonds have been touted as durable stones, they are still susceptible to damage. The metal of your ring will also scratch and dent if handled incorrectly. Banging your hand into an object hard enough can cause the setting to be loosen or the band to chip. If you are going to do any laborious activities or anything else that could be harsh on your jewelry, you should remove your ring and put it in a safe place.

 The value of our engagement rings goes beyond money, because they are a symbol that we share with each other. It's important to protect your engagement ring, not just because it is a beautiful object but also because it represents the feelings behind it. If you are ever unsure whether a cleaning product (whether it's purchased in a store or DIY at home) will be safe for your ring or not, speak to a professional first.