A diamond ring is a valuable piece of jewelry; knowing how to clean a diamond ring is an important part of owning and caring for this special piece of jewelry. Cleaning jewelry will ensure it is sparkling and beautiful but it will also help you find any possible structural problems with the ring. Besides getting diamond or engagement ring insurance properly cleaning jewelry is one of the important ways to care for your diamond ring.

Options For Cleaning Diamond Rings

There are a few different ways to clean a diamond ring; you may even want to use a mix of these three common ways for the best results and to ensure the integrity of the ring is still strong. Keep in mind if a diamond treatment has been used on your diamond it may require special care for cleaning it. Always ask about diamond treatments before buying a ring; sometimes your jewelry appraiser can detect a treatment, but not always.

Jewelry Cleaners And Polishes
There are a number of jewelry cleaning wipes, solutions and polishes available. Before using them make sure they are safe to use with diamonds and the type of metal band you have. Most of these jewelry cleaners should be safe to use to clean your diamond ring.

You can also simply clean a diamond ring at home with a warm bath of soapy water using a couple drops of a mild detergent in a bowl of warm water. Let the ring soak for 15 minutes or so then use a soft bristle toothbrush to get the dirt and grime out of all of the cracks and crevices. Rinse the ring carefully making sure the drain is completely covered. You can even place something like a colander below the stream of water to catch the ring if it drops. Dry the ring with a lint-free soft, like a chamois.

Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners
An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner uses high frequency, ultrasonic sound waves through warm water to knock dirt and grime off of the ring or other jewelry. These cleaners can typically be used with either plain warm water or plain warm water and a couple of drops of mild soap. They generally work well for most precious metals, diamonds and gemstones. Softer stones like opals and pearls shouldn’t be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.

These jewelry cleaners provide an easy way to bring that sparkle back to your jewelry. With most models if a stone happens to come loose it will stay in the tank of the device so you can take it in for repair if necessary (no worries about losing stones in the drain).

Here are some of the most popular jewelry cleaners available at Amazon: Jewelry Cleaners at Amazon

Taking It To A Jeweler
It is a good idea to take your diamond ring or engagement ring to a jeweler once or twice a year for a jewelry cleaning. The jeweler can thoroughly clean the ring, but also have them inspect the prongs and the integrity of the ring to see if anything is loose. This is a good way to avoid losing any diamonds or other stones.

Beyond Cleaning Your Diamond Ring

Besides learning how to clean a diamond ring it is important to take a few other steps to take care of this valuable piece of jewelry. Avoid wearing this ring when participating in sporting activities or work that might damage it. Also avoid wearing it when using cleaning chemicals, especially chlorine, which can cause discoloration of the band.

In time your band may develop nicks and scratches from regular wear. You can have your jeweler reapply plating or a finish to restore the original look of it.

Even if you are very careful with your diamond ring it is a good idea to consider diamond ring insurance for added protection. Along with ring insurance consider getting a jewelry appraisal every few years to adjust your policy as necessary. The value of your ring can change with the fluctuating market values of precious metals and diamonds. This can impact your jewelry insurance policy, both the premium rates and the coverage amount.

Knowing how to clean a diamond ring and how to care for it properly will help ensure it remains sparkling and beautiful for many years to come.

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The wedding day is the day that every couple in love looks forward to, yet these highly emotionally charged events are not without their financial risks. Wedding insurance offers a way of safeguarding the money you invest in the event, and protecting yourself from unforeseeable incidents. There are different types of wedding insurance policies available but all must be customized somewhat since no two weddings are the same.

Most everything related to the wedding can be protected for the right price. Just like any other type of insurance, you never want to have to use it, but you have to weigh the pros and cons to decide if the insurance is worth protecting a bride and groom’s most cherished day just the way you would when considering engagement ring insurance.

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

There are several reasons why a wedding insurance is a good idea, but to get the coverage you need be sure to compare wedding insurance policies before making your final decision. Just like all other things in life, things can and will go wrong – and the last thing you want is an unexpected event to disrupt your special day. There are policy options that cover different things. For example, if you have a garden wedding planned, it might be a good idea to adopt a policy that covers adverse weather. Bad weather and illness are very common things that are protected against in wedding insurance policies. Unemployment, military deployment, acts of terrorism, or other unforeseeable can also be protected against but are less common.

Other coverage areas that you can select include key people not being able to attend because of sickness, or injury. The cost of the postponement will be covered in wedding cancellation insurance if desired. Service providers such as the band or caterer are very important to the success of a wedding so they can also be covered as a part of the wedding insurance and the cost of postponement will be paid as well as the non-refundable deposits.

Things To Consider When Choosing A Wedding Insurance Policy

While the actual wedding is usually the most important thing to a couple, for financial reasons it often makes sense to also insure indirect expenses. Items and services not directly covered in the wedding include:

• Clothing: If clothing gets lost or damaged then the insurance will either pay for new clothing or alterations to fix it.
• Deposits: If a deposit is paid to a band or caterer and they go out of business or don’t show up the insurance will reimburse for that amount of money.
• Gifts: Protects against theft, damage, or loss of wedding gifts.
• Liability: Wedding liability insurance covers you in case of a guest’s injury or damage to rented property. Rented property is covered through wedding reception insurance which can be separate or a part of the overall wedding insurance policy.
• Picture and Video: Policies are available that will pay for a photographer for a re-shoot and the price that it will cost to get everyone involved together for that re-shoot.
• Diamond Ring Insurance: While ongoing diamond ring insurance is separate from wedding insurance, and will require a jewelry appraisal, it is something you should consider as this is a valuable and sentimental part of the union. There are several ways to insure a ring. You can insure it against loss or theft. Depending on the policy, the diamond ring may be insured in the form of a check or replacement. Jewelry insurance ensures the bride that she will always have coverage for her wedding ring which symbolizes the eternal nature of this special union. Ring insurance usually isn’t purchased as part of a wedding insurance policy, instead you will likely need to look for an independent wedding ring insurance policy.

The price of a wedding insurance policy is directly related to the type of coverage selected, but policies can be purchased for as little as $200. This is a very minor expense compared to the total cost of a wedding. Not only does it protect your financial investment, but also provides peace of mind should something go wrong. Considering all the planning that goes into a the special day, showing that you care enough about the wedding to insure it, may be the best gift of all.

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Purchasing jewelry insurance is a good idea if you have valuable jewelry. One of the most common types of jewelry insurance is engagement ring insurance. Because this piece of jewelry often has such a great sentimental and financial value this is usually the main or only piece that is insured. But don’t forget to protect and insure other valuable jewelry you may own.

Jewelry Insurance Coverage

While you may already have some coverage if you have a home or renter’s policy, this may not be enough to effectively insure jewelry if you have a couple of valuable pieces or even a single diamond ring valued over $1,000. Under these policies all of your jewelry is covered under one lump sum amount, and these policies only cover a limited number of situations.

But you can add a jewelry rider, sometimes called a floater, onto one of these policies to cover specific pieces of jewelry. Adding a jewelry rider will give you much greater coverage with fewer exclusions and higher limits.

The other option is to look for a jewelry insurance policy through specified jewelry insurance companies or a company that specializes in jewelry coverage like diamond ring insurance. This type of coverage is often referred to as a standalone personal jewelry insurance policy. This means that the coverage isn’t tied to another type of insurance; it is a separate policy. This allows you to insure specific pieces of jewelry.

Jewelry Insurance Settlement Options

When insuring jewelry it is important to understand the options for loss settlement. In other words how will they handle a claim for lost jewelry or damaged jewelry. The options can include:

• repairing the jewelry
• replacing it with an equivalent type and quality
• paying you an amount that would be cash equivalent to what the company would have paid to replace or repair the jewelry
• paying the actual cash value (ACV)

Different companies offer different options. Make sure you understand how the jewelry insurance settlement claim will be handled and what the settlement options are before you commit to a jewelry insurance policy.

If you know you want a policy that offers actual cash value shop around until you find a company that offers this. Also ask questions so you understand the terms used, for instance Actual Cash Value typically means the cost to replace the jewelry minus depreciation at the time the jewelry was lost.

Jewelry Appraisals

Before you can insure jewelry you will need a jewelry appraisal. The insurance company may have a list of appraisers they use or they will approve, but you may want to find an independent qualified jewelry appraiser. When it comes to choosing engagement ring insurance, wedding ring insurance or insurance for heirloom or other valuable jewelry you want to make sure you have a trusted jewelry appraiser valuing these important items.

Because the value of things like diamonds, silver and gold change with the current market it is a good idea to update your appraisal every few years, especially when there has been a lot of market fluctuations for these precious commodities.

You want an accurate appraisal because your jewelry insurance premiums and coverage will be based on the value of the jewelry.

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Securing diamond ring insurance is important whether it is for an engagement ring, anniversary ring or any other diamond ring that is valuable to you. After all this piece of jewelry likely has great sentimental value as well as financial value.

Choosing Diamond Ring Insurance

You may already have insurance for other important items like your car and your home, but if you have valuable jewelry, like a diamond ring, you should also consider diamond ring insurance. Too often when couples are planning a wedding they forget about engagement ring insurance, until there is a close call or until something happens to the ring. Fortunately finding the right jewelry insurance coverage for your needs doesn’t need to be that difficult.

There are a couple of ways to insure a diamond ring. You can add a ring rider or jewelry rider to your home or renter’s policy or you can purchase from a company that specializes in jewelry insurance policies. Even if you have personal property coverage, ring rider insurance is usually needed to cover the full value of specific pieces of jewelry like an expensive diamond ring.

Adding a jewelry rider, or floater, to an existing policy can be beneficial in a couple of ways. First you may receive a discount on the diamond ring insurance premium because you have other policies with the same insurance company. It can be easier to keep track of multiple policies with a single company and it makes paying bills easier. The downside to this option is that customer satisfaction and policy details can vary significantly from one company to another.

The other option for diamond or wedding ring insurance is to go with a jewelry insurance company, meaning one that specializes in jewelry insurance like Jeweler’s Mutual or Chubb. These companies have years of experience when it comes to insuring diamond rings or insuring jewelry of any sort. They have good ratings when it comes to customer satisfaction and they offer a variety of policy options including cash value policies. The downside to this option is that it may cost a little more.
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Before choosing a diamond ring insurance policy make sure you know the important details of that policy. What is the repair or replacement policy, or is it a cash value policy? These become important questions if something happens to the ring and it is better to know the answer before you choose the policy rather than after you file a claim.

Get A Jewelry Appraisal

Before insuring an engagement ring or insuring a diamond ring you will need to have a ring appraisal. A jewelry appraisal is an important part of the insuring process as both you and your insurance company will want to know the true value of the ring. You want to find a qualified jewelry appraiser to get the most accurate appraisal possible. You don’t want to overpay for your premiums or under insure a diamond ring.

Getting appraisals periodically is important to make sure you and your insurance company know the current market value of your ring. As markets fluctuate and the value of diamonds and precious metals change so does the value of your ring.

Find A Qualified Jewelry Appraiser

Your insurance company may have a list of jewelry appraisers they use, but you should also do a little research yourself. Unfortunately this industry isn’t heavily regulated so it is important to look for certain credentials to make sure you use a qualified jewelry appraiser.

You want to find an appraiser who has had formal training and one who is recognized by reputable organizations in their field. Look for someone who has a Graduate Gemologist (GG) degree which indicates they have had formal training, and look for someone who belongs to the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) or the International Society of Appraisers (ISA).

Take the time upfront to choose your diamond ring insurance wisely. You’ll be glad you did if you ever need to use it.

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Unfortunately finding a qualified jewelry appraiser isn’t as easy as picking a name off of a list. It is important to call around and ask some questions to make sure you go to someone who is truly qualified to appraise jewelry.

If you are getting a jewelry appraisal for engagement ring insurance or any other type of jewelry insurance you want to make sure you get a professional appraisal by a qualified jewelry appraiser; don’t just pick the person who gives you the lowest quote and don’t simply look at this as a necessity for insurance purposes. It is important to get an accurate, detailed jewelry appraisal. You’ll be glad you did if you ever need to file a claim and a proper appraisal could save you on insurance premiums.

Finding A Qualified Jewelry Appraiser

Even if you aren’t planning on buying jewelry insurance it is a good idea to get an appraisal after buying expensive jewelry to make sure it worth what you paid for it. Before buying the jewelry you may want to ask about their return policy in case the ring appraisal shows your purchase isn’t the same quality as you thought it was when you made the purchase.

To find a qualified jewelry appraiser there are a few questions you can ask:

• Is the jewelry appraiser a Graduate Gemologist (GG) or a Fellow of The Gemological Institute of Great Britain (FGA)? In the field of gems sciences these credentials are educational requirements teaching how to identify and grade colored stones and diamonds.
• Is the jewelry appraiser recognized by an appraisal organization like the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), National Association of Gem and Jewelry Appraiser’s (NGJA) or the International Society of Appraisers (ISA)?
• Will they provide references? It is great if you can get references from professionals such as attorneys, banks, or trust companies that have used them.
• Do they attend continuing education classes and how much per year? How often do they have to take a requalification course or exam? You want to make sure they keep up to date on market trends.
• What are their specialties?
• How do they charge for their services? They should charge by a piece rate base on the complexity or an hourly rate not by a percentage of the appraisal value.
• You should also ask for a copy of their professional profile which lists the experience and history of education of the jewelry appraiser.

Your insurance company may also give you a list of jewelry appraisers they often work with and they may want you to use someone who has a completed the Certified Insurance Appraiser program.

Getting Regular Jewelry Appraisals

Due to changing markets the value of your jewelry can also change over time. Because of this it is good to get a jewelry appraisal every few of years for your valuable jewelry, and be sure to update your insurance company when you get a new appraisal so they can adjust your insurance rates accordingly. Some insurance policies may even require a diamond ring appraisal every few years. You may want to ask the insurer how often you will need to get an engagement ring appraisal when you get an engagement ring insurance policy or any other jewelry insurance.

Once you have a jewelry appraiser you trust getting regular jewelry appraisals should be pretty easy. Having a detailed jewelry appraisal and a researched engagement ring insurance policy are important steps to take when it comes to protecting your valuable jewelry.
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You’ve found the perfect ring and you’ve been shopping for engagement ring insurance, maybe you already found the best policy for your budget and needs. There is one more thing you will need to do before you insure an engagement ring. You’ll need to get a jewelry appraisal.

Engagement Ring Insurance Requires A Jewelry Appraisal

Not only is a jewelry appraisal important for your jewelry insurance company, it is important for you as well. A detailed and accurate engagement ring appraisal will provide you and your insurance company with the necessary information in the event that you need to file a claim. This diamond ring appraisal will help to settle the claim more quickly and fairly.

There are a few different types of jewelry appraisals done for different reasons. There is an estate appraisal, a fair market value appraisal and a replacement cost appraisal. To secure an engagement ring insurance policy you will need a replacement cost appraisal.

A replacement cost appraisal is done by a certified gemologist. It is basically a formal, expert opinion of a specific piece of jewelry as appraising jewelry isn’t an exact science. It should verify quality, authenticity, design and value of the jewelry appraised.

What Is Evaluated In A Ring Appraisal

The appraisal for your engagement or wedding ring insurance policy should contain the following information:

• A detailed description of the ring
• A detailed description of the cut and shape including weight and measurements
• Color grade
• Clarity grade
• Whether the stone is natural or synthetic
• Finish or diamond treatments
• Description of any engraving on the ring
• A clear picture of the ring
• The estimated cost to replace it

A Diamond Jewelry Appraisal vs A Diamond Certificate

A formal jewelry appraisal and a diamond certificate are two different things. A diamond certificate, also called a diamond grading report, is a document issued by a gemological laboratory. This grading report, completed by experienced diamond graders, provides a detailed description of the loose diamond, but it doesn’t provide a value.
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A jewelry appraisal, or diamond ring appraisal, examines the completed piece of jewelry and assigns a value to the full piece of jewelry. Because it provides a value you need to have an appraisal to get diamond ring insurance, a certificate or grading report won’t be enough. You likely want an appraisal for yourself as well so you know the value of your ring. If you simply want diamond insurance for loose diamonds that haven’t been set into jewelry yet you can just have the loose diamonds or diamond appraised.

Be Wary Of Cheap Jewelry Appraisals

If you’re taking the time to get a ring appraisal so you can buy diamond ring insurance to protect your valuable purchase you don’t want to cut corners by getting a cheap jewelry appraisal. This appraisal plays an important role in setting your premiums and it can affect the way a claim will be handled so you don’t want to skimp on the appraisal or you may be pretty disappointed with the ring insurance settlement process.

You may see offers for online jewelry appraisals but when it comes to appraising an engagement ring this isn’t a good way to go. Online appraisals are better for items that can be certified with pictures, detailed descriptions and receipts. Appraising diamond rings requires a hands on approach that includes testing and the use of specific equipment. It is better to find a qualified jewelry appraiser in your area for this job. If you feel overwhelmed by this and don’t know where to look you can try using the American Gem Society for help finding a qualified jewelry appraiser.

It isn’t a good idea to choose a jewelry appraiser based on the lowest quote you receive. The old saying “you get what you paid for” can come into play here. You are hiring a professional to do a professional job you want someone who will complete a thorough and knowledgeable appraisal. A cheap jewelry appraisal can actually cost you more in the long run. If you buy a ring for $7,000 but your ring appraisal is for $10,000 you will pay premiums based on the $10,000 but if the ring is lost and the replacement cost is only $7,000 you will have overpaid for premiums every year the ring was insured. This can add up to several hundred dollars over a few years.

Another potential problem of discount jewelry appraisals is if the appraisal isn’t detailed enough you may not get a true fair replacement if your ring is lost or stolen. If the appraisal doesn’t give enough or accurate details to explain the specifics of the cut, color and clarity these things may not be taken into consideration if the ring needs to be replaced.

Getting a jewelry appraisal for your engagement ring insurance policy is an important part of the process. Not only does it help your insurance company know what your ring is worth in the event you need to file a claim, it also helps your insurance company set accurate premiums and it helps you understand the true value of your jewelry.
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An engagement or wedding ring is often one of our most important and valued possessions so it makes sense to consider engagement ring insurance. Not only is it a valued possession but because it is worn all the time it is subject to potential damage, and because it isn’t a very large item it can be easier than you might think to lose. But you may wonder how much coverage for your ring will cost.

Engagement Ring Insurance Rates

Engagement ring insurance rates can vary from one state to another, one city to another and from one insurance company to another. The rates may also vary based on the specific coverage. But generally speaking you can expect to pay about 1-2% of the value of the ring, per year.

To get the best rates call around and compare rates from different companies, make sure you are comparing similar coverage as well. You may get a better rate if you use the same company you already use for your home and car insurance. If you have a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy you may already have some coverage for theft, but it won’t cover in all circumstances and it will likely only cover up to $500 or $1,000 depending on your policy.

Get A Jewelry Appraisal For Accurate Rates

You might receive a jewelry appraisal when you buy the diamond ring, but you should still get a jewelry appraisal from an independent jewelry appraiser. In some cases the jewelry store may use a slightly high jewelry appraisal to make you think you are getting a great deal on the ring by selling it under the appraised value. We all like to think we are getting a good deal and that our items are worth more than they are, but when it comes to insuring an engagement ring you need to know the true value of the jewelry.

If you buy a diamond ring insurance policy based on an inflated appraisal you will be paying higher engagement ring insurance rates than you need to. When it comes to making a claim you will likely only receive reimbursement on the true value of the ring, for example if you pay rates based on a $12,000 appraisal but the actual replacement cost for an identical ring is only $8,000 you will have paid higher insurance premiums than you needed to. To help get an accurate rate bring your sales receipt and an independent jewelry appraisal. Have your ring appraised every couple of years and give updated appraisals to your insurance agent as the value of your ring can change with the fluctuating market (for gold, silver, etc).
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What You Should Know When Buying Jewelry Insurance

Buying wedding ring insurance isn’t a difficult process, but there are some things you should know about the engagement ring insurance policy before you choose it. It is important to know exactly what your insurance premiums are covering; you don’t want to wait to find out when you submit a claim or you could be in for a disappointing experience.

Ask specific questions about what the jewelry insurance policy covers and be thorough. Here are some basic questions to ask:

• How will the claim be processed? Will you receive cash or need to get a replacement at a specified jeweler?
• Are both theft and loss covered?
• Does the policy cover damage? If so what kind of damage is covered? Anything excluded?
• Is there a deductible?

The key to finding the best engagement ring insurance rates is calling around to compare coverage and rates. Also make sure you use a reputable company in case you need to file a claim. It may be worth paying a little more for a company that has a better record for handling claims.
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