One of the worse things that can happen is seeing beloved handmade rings become permanently damaged when it was totally preventable. Silver and gold rings should be cared for with the same care that they were produced with, so they can last a lifetime. To avoid having to explain to mother why the handmade gold ring that has been passed down for generations is ruined, there are simple steps that should be followed.

The first steps to caring for silver rings and gold rings is to protect them from begin scratched, dented, chemically damaged or warped from extreme hot and cold. People should store their handmade rings separately and remove them when doing things like gardening and cleaning. A handmade gold ring should also not be worn when swimming, hot-tubbing or bathing, especially when there is chlorine in the water. Silver rings and gold rings should also not be stored near heating vents, window sills or anywhere extreme heat and sun will catch them.

The best place to store a handmade gold ring or silver ring is in a re-sealable plastic bag or jewelry bags with a silica-gel sachet, as this will prevent tarnishing. Owners should also try to wipe down their handmade rings after wearing them to remove dirt and skin oils. Gold and silver rings can also be washed in warm soapy water providing they are dried carefully before storage. Then they should be rinsed carefully and patted dry with a soft non-abrasive cloth.

Handmade rings of silver and gold should generally be cared for very gently and carefully. Commercial silver and gold cleaners should only be used if any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner. Some handmade rings with gemstones that can't be placed in commercial cleaners include those with pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral and turquoise.

A handmade gold ring or silver ring can also be cleaned using a solution made of ammonia and water. Owners should use a light solution of ammonia and water on a toothbrush or soft cloth and then rinse thoroughly with water. The same can be said about using this solution on handmade rings with gemstones; it should be used with caution. Tarnish can be prevented by storing gold and silver rings in re-sealable plastic bags together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture on a handmade gold ring or silver ring. Handmade rings containing pearls and opals, however, should not be stored in plastic bags.

With a little care and preventative maintenance, hand made rings of silver and gold should be able to last for generations. Even silver rings that aren't worth a lot of money often have sentimental value in the family, and they should be treated accordingly. The same can be said about a handmade gold ring that has been passed down for generations; it should be cared for so many more generations can enjoy it.