WHY YOUR STONE IS EASY TO LIVE WITH

Lab-grown diamond rates a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the top of the scale. Lab-created moissanite rates 9.25, harder than sapphire, ruby and every other gemstone you are likely to wear. In practical terms, neither stone will scratch from daily wear, and neither will cloud, fade or change color over time. That is why every lab-created moissanite and lab-grown diamond center stone we set is covered by our lifetime center-stone warranty.

So when a ring looks less brilliant than it used to, the stone has not changed. A thin film has settled on the back of it. Light enters through the top of a stone and reflects back out through the facets; anything coating the underside blocks that path. Clean the film away and the sparkle returns completely.

The settings deserve a little more thought. Solid 14K gold and platinum are durable precious metals, but prongs are slender by design, and pavé stones are held by tiny beads of metal. Most care advice is really about protecting the metal that holds your stones.

EVERYDAY HABITS

• Last on, first off. Put your ring on after lotion, hairspray, perfume and sunscreen, and take it off first when you undress. This single habit prevents most of the film that dulls a stone.
• Remove it for chlorine and salt water. Pools, hot tubs and the ocean are hard on gold alloys over time. Your stone is unaffected, but the metal is worth protecting.
• Remove it for the gym and heavy chores. Weights, gardening and moving furniture put pressure on prongs. A gentle knock is fine; repeated force is what bends a setting.
• Handle it by the band. Lifting a ring by its center stone, again and again, slowly works the prongs loose. Hold the sides of the band instead.
• Hand sanitizer is fine, residue is not. It will not harm moissanite, diamond or gold, but it leaves a film. A quick rinse at the end of the day keeps it from building up.

THE FOUR-STEP HOME CLEAN

Once a week for an engagement ring you wear every day, once a month for pieces you wear occasionally. It takes about ten minutes.

1. Soak. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a small bowl of warm water. Let your piece soak for 10 to 15 minutes to soften any film.
2. Brush. Use a soft, clean toothbrush, and focus on the underside of the center stone and around the prongs. This is where lotion and soap collect, and on a hidden halo design it is exactly where the hidden stones sit.
3. Rinse. Rinse in a second bowl of clean warm water rather than under an open tap, so nothing can slip down the drain.
4. Dry and polish. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth, then buff the metal with a soft polishing cloth.

What to skip at home: toothpaste and baking soda (both are abrasive on gold), bleach and chlorine cleaners, and ultrasonic machines. Moissanite and diamond tolerate ultrasonic cleaning, but the vibration can loosen small pavé stones over time, so we leave that to a jeweler who checks the setting first.

CARING FOR GOLD AND PLATINUM

Every Luxe Gemmes setting is solid precious metal, so care is simple and nothing wears through.

• 14K yellow and rose gold hold their color for life. Fine surface scratches are normal and lift away with a professional polish.
• 14K white gold has a bright, cool finish that can soften slightly over the years. A professional polish and refinish restores it in an afternoon.
• Platinum develops a soft satin patina with wear, which many people love. If you prefer a mirror finish, a polish brings it back.

If you clean the metal with a commercial product, choose one made for solid gold or platinum.

STORAGE AND TRAVEL

• Store pieces separately. Diamond and moissanite can scratch other jewelry, and even each other. Use a lined box, individual pouches or your original Luxe Gemmes box.
• Travel with a small hard case. Pack it in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
• Choose one place at home. A ring dish by the sink or bed means your ring is never set down on a counter edge or a hotel nightstand.

WHEN TO CHECK THE SETTING

A quick self-check once a month takes ten seconds. Hold the ring near your ear and tap it lightly: a secure stone is silent, a loose one gives a faint click. Run a fingertip over the prongs; anything that catches on a sweater may have lifted. Look at pavé stones under good light for any gap.

For rings worn every day, a professional prong check every six months is the best insurance you can buy. Eternity bands and pavé designs benefit most, because they carry many small stones. If something feels loose or looks off, stop wearing the piece and contact us. Tightening a prong is quick; replacing a lost stone is not.

WHAT OUR WARRANTY COVERS

• Lifetime center-stone warranty on lab-created moissanite and lab-grown diamond, covering its stone rating, including cut, clarity, and color.
• One complimentary resize within 30 days of your ship date.
• 30-Day Quality Guarantee. If your piece arrives with a manufacturing defect, contact us within 30 days of your ship date and we will repair, replace, exchange or refund it. Because every ring is made to order, we cannot accept change-of-mind returns.

Normal wear, such as a bent prong after a hard knock, is not a manufacturing defect, which is why the habits above matter. Full details are on our Warranty page.

DESIGNS THAT ARE EASY TO KEEP BRILLIANT

If low maintenance matters to you, look for a secure four-prong or six-prong center with a hidden halo. The Radiant Hidden Halo and the Cushion Hidden Halo are two of our most-loved examples: clean from above, brilliant in profile, and simple to brush clean from underneath. Each is made to order in solid 14K gold or platinum and ships in 3 to 4 weeks, free, insured and by express delivery with signature required.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can moissanite get cloudy?
No. Lab-created moissanite does not cloud or change color. If it looks hazy, it has a film on its underside, and the four-step clean removes it.

Can I wear my ring in the shower?
You can, but soap film builds up quickly. Removing it before you shower means far less cleaning.

How often should I clean my engagement ring?
A quick soak and brush once a week keeps a daily-wear ring at its brightest. A professional prong check every six months is ideal.

Is a jeweler's steam or ultrasonic clean safe?
The stones handle it well. Ask the jeweler to check the prongs and pavé first, and avoid running an ultrasonic machine at home.

Will the gold wear away?
No. Every Luxe Gemmes setting is solid 14K gold or platinum, so a polish only refreshes the surface.