Brides-To-Be Need To Know

Prince Harry has long been loved for his joie de vivre. He approaches life with passion, often stepping outside the royal box. So, it came as no surprise to many when he and his non-English, commoner, actress girlfriend announced their engagement in November (gasp!).

Harry and Meghan Markle’s love story shines, and so does the ring Harry chose to represent it. The ring features a large center stone from Botswana, a country with deep meaning to the couple, framed by two side diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection. Cue a rush on three stone rings; they are bound to be the next big thing.

Brides-to-be, from Meghan to the girl next door, swoon when they look at that beautiful ring. But, many newly engaged gals have never owned a piece of fine jewelry, and might not know what they should do next.

Your customers will look to you for helpful information. It’s a great idea to have a list of best practices you can share, along with your best wishes. Here are our five top expert suggestions for you to share:

• For most, step one is posting an engagement ring selfie to social media. Meghan and Harry held a professional photo shoot, but non-royals can also make sure to capture a share-worthy snap. Just make sure the ring is clean and sparkling, find some great lighting (natural is best), and have those nails manicured. Bonus points for a clever hashtag!

• The best way to clean bridal jewelry, for a photo shoot and everyday life, is with a professional jewelry cleaning formula and polishing cloth from a professional jeweler. Routine cleaning can be done as often as daily, and should become part of your daily routine. Be sure to ask your jeweler what formulation is safe for the stones and metal in your ring. And, avoid at-home cleaning tricks, like pure ammonia, toothpaste and vinegar, all of which can cause damage.

• Don’t forget to insure your new ring against loss and damage. Reach out to your insurance agent, as you may need a rider on your homeowner’s or renter’s policy. It’s a great idea to take photo of your ring and store it with paperwork documenting its value (you can get this from your jeweler).

• Be smart about when and where you wear your ring. Leave it in a safe spot off your finger when you are cleaning, exercising, heading to the beach or pool, gardening, and even for some cooking projects. It’s also a good idea to put your jewelry on last during your morning routine, after you have used lotions, hairsprays and perfume.

• Finally, take your bridal jewelry to your jeweler at least once a year for an inspection. Jewelers know how to look for damage, loose settings or chipped stones. This will give you peace of mind, and may even be required by your insurance policy. Plus, your jeweler will clean your ring professionally, so it will look like new.