When Should You Take Off Your Engagement Ring?
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Your engagement ring is a beautiful physical representation of your love. You want to keep it looking just as stunning as the day of your proposal, but how do you do that? Should you wear your engagement ring in the shower? Is it ok to wear your engagement ring to bed?
We'll answer these questions and more below. Knowing when to take off your engagement ring will put you at ease and keep your ring looking its best. Let's jump right in!
The only thing worse than a dull ring is a lost ring. When you wear your ring in the shower, there's a chance it will slip off your finger and down the drain. When it comes to the shower, it's best to leave your ring somewhere safe until you're done.
Sweat isn't the only threat to your engagement ring. Gym equipment can also damage your ring. If you like weightlifting, the pressure the bar puts on your hands can deform or morph your ring band. For some rings, the stones may fall out when the band bends.
Cardio is the safest exercise to keep your ring on for, but we recommend taking it off just to be safe. You'll also want to take your ring off before participating in contact sports to keep you and others safe from accidental scratching or damage to the ring.
Both sand and the ocean are threats to your ring. Tiny sand particles can make their way into your ring's stone setting, leaving your diamond at risk of falling out. As for the ocean, cold water is known to shrink your fingers, which means even a perfectly fitted ring can slide off and get swept away. When enjoying a beach day, it's best to leave your ring at home.
Also, consider your travel itinerary. If you have plans to visit the beach, go rock climbing or do another activity that could damage your ring, it's best to leave it at home. While you could take your ring off during vacation activities, doing so increases your chances of losing your ring or having it stolen.
While gardening gloves may protect your ring somewhat, your engagement ring is still at risk of being damaged. In fact, your ring may even tear through your glove. Taking your ring off during gardening will protect your ring and make wearing gloves more comfortable.
You don't have to be without your engagement ring throughout your entire pregnancy. Consider wearing your ring on a chain as a necklace.
For engagement ring storage at home, look for jewelry dishes, pillows, boxes or trays. It's also strongly recommended to find a storage box for travel. However, the tray or box you choose can only do so much. It's also important to place your ring in a safe place. If you have kids or pets, try to find somewhere out of reach to ensure your ring stays safe.
If you're ever unsure whether to take off your ring, it's best to play it safe and place it in proper storage. For more detailed and guided information on the best care for your engagement ring, contact Koser Jewelers to speak to one of our jewelry experts.
We'll answer these questions and more below. Knowing when to take off your engagement ring will put you at ease and keep your ring looking its best. Let's jump right in!
1. Showering
While your shower products help keep you looking your best, the opposite is true for your engagement ring. Shower products, like body wash and shampoo, can leave your ring looking dull. Keeping your ring on in the shower also allows soap into hard-to-clean places, like under the stone, which can cause grime buildup.The only thing worse than a dull ring is a lost ring. When you wear your ring in the shower, there's a chance it will slip off your finger and down the drain. When it comes to the shower, it's best to leave your ring somewhere safe until you're done.
2. Putting on Hand Sanitizer and Lotion
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can dull your ring. And while lotion feels great on your skin, it leaves a weird residue on your ring. Plus, if lotion gets into those hard-to-clean places, it can impact the setting of your stone. Protect your ring and take it off while applying these products. Slip it back on once your hands have completely dried or absorbed the lotion.3. Washing Your Hands
OK, OK…You can keep your ring on while washing your hands as long as you use a gentle soap. However, if you're not sure the kind of soap you're using, the soap has a strong fragrance or you want to play it safe, it's a good idea to take your ring off. Pop it back on when your hands are dry.4. Cleaning
Always take off your ring when using bleach or other harsh chemicals to clean, as they can oxidize your ring. It's a good idea to take your ring off even during simple chores like washing dishes. Your dish soap may be gentle, but washing the dishes poses other risks to your ring. It may slip off your finger and down the drain, so it's best to set your ring aside while cleaning or using any chemicals.5. Working Out
While you may love the feeling of a good sweat session at the gym, your ring won't. Sweat actually has the power to erode the coating on your ring. In fact, sweat can be as damaging as a harsh chemical. If you're planning an intense workout, it's best to keep your ring somewhere safe.Sweat isn't the only threat to your engagement ring. Gym equipment can also damage your ring. If you like weightlifting, the pressure the bar puts on your hands can deform or morph your ring band. For some rings, the stones may fall out when the band bends.
Cardio is the safest exercise to keep your ring on for, but we recommend taking it off just to be safe. You'll also want to take your ring off before participating in contact sports to keep you and others safe from accidental scratching or damage to the ring.
6. Swimming and Going to the Beach
Chlorine is one of the most harmful chemicals for jewelry, so you do not want to swim with your engagement ring. Chlorine will eat away at your ring, weakening it and potentially wearing away the prongs that hold your diamond or other stones in place, causing them to fall out.Both sand and the ocean are threats to your ring. Tiny sand particles can make their way into your ring's stone setting, leaving your diamond at risk of falling out. As for the ocean, cold water is known to shrink your fingers, which means even a perfectly fitted ring can slide off and get swept away. When enjoying a beach day, it's best to leave your ring at home.
7. Sleeping
Sleeping with or without your ring is completely up to you. If you sleep with your ring on, it could get stuck in your hair, lost in your sheets or caught in your bedding. If you're not worried about it or are a pretty tame sleeper, feel free to wear your ring to bed.8. Traveling
While you may want to show off your beautiful engagement ring while traveling, it's not always the best idea. Your ring may make you a target for pickpocketing, and there's always a risk of losing it while you're away from home.Also, consider your travel itinerary. If you have plans to visit the beach, go rock climbing or do another activity that could damage your ring, it's best to leave it at home. While you could take your ring off during vacation activities, doing so increases your chances of losing your ring or having it stolen.
9. Doing Yard Work and Gardening
Depending on the type of yard work you're doing, wearing your ring may be OK. For example, leaving your ring on to water your garden or mow your lawn is fine. However, if you're working with chemicals or getting your hands dirty, you'll want to take your ring off.While gardening gloves may protect your ring somewhat, your engagement ring is still at risk of being damaged. In fact, your ring may even tear through your glove. Taking your ring off during gardening will protect your ring and make wearing gloves more comfortable.
10. Cooking
Whether you should wear your ring while cooking varies. Any cooking or baking that requires using your hands to handle food means you should take your ring off, especially when dealing with raw meat, eggs or anything greasy. If you aren't using your hands to mix ingredients or handle anything raw, leaving your ring on is fine.11. While Pregnant
Pregnancy symptoms are different for everyone, but it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your engagement ring. A common symptom of pregnancy is swelling. If you leave your ring on and your hands swell, you may experience discomfort, and your ring may get stuck on your finger. It's best to take off your ring during the early stages of pregnancy just in case your fingers swell.You don't have to be without your engagement ring throughout your entire pregnancy. Consider wearing your ring on a chain as a necklace.
How to Store Your Engagement Ring
While a plastic bag or your nightstand may have worked for storing your jewelry in high school, a valuable piece like your engagement ring needs proper storage. Luckily, there are many options for safely storing your ring, and you are sure to find one that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic.For engagement ring storage at home, look for jewelry dishes, pillows, boxes or trays. It's also strongly recommended to find a storage box for travel. However, the tray or box you choose can only do so much. It's also important to place your ring in a safe place. If you have kids or pets, try to find somewhere out of reach to ensure your ring stays safe.
Speak to the Engagement Ring Experts
Taking proper care of your engagement ring is crucial for keeping it beautiful. From cleaning your engagement ring to taking it off when needed, prioritizing your ring care will make all the difference.If you're ever unsure whether to take off your ring, it's best to play it safe and place it in proper storage. For more detailed and guided information on the best care for your engagement ring, contact Koser Jewelers to speak to one of our jewelry experts.
