An engagement ring is often one of the most treasured pieces of jewelry one can own and wear daily. But after the post-proposal excitement fades, it's essential to maintain and preserve its beauty. It's especially crucial to take extra precautions when wearing delicate vintage styles or other designs.
Proper diamond ring care includes regular cleaning and taking it off during certain daily tasks. You might wonder if it's safe to wear the ring in the shower or while sleeping, and how to clean it effectively. We're here to help!
Although it's tempting to flaunt your engagement ring every moment, we recommend avoiding certain activities while wearing it to protect its quality. Here's a list of ten things you should never do while wearing your engagement or wedding ring.
1. Sleeping
There are several reasons why it might be a good idea to remove your ring before going to sleep. First, while you're sleeping, your ring can become tangled in your hair or bedding and loosen the setting. Additionally, certain sleeping positions can put pressure and body weight on the ring, which can cause the setting to slowly reshape or stones to loosen.
It's especially important to remove your ring before bed if it contains softer stones that are more fragile or if you experience discomfort from nighttime swelling that affects the ring's fit.
2. Working Out or Playing Sports
While sleeping, your ring is vulnerable and should be removed. The same goes for participating in contact sports, such as tennis, baseball or golf, or exercises that involve handling or lifting weights. This is especially true for pavé engagement rings, as free weights have the potential to scratch, chip or loosen stones. Even the most hypoallergenic jewelry can cause an allergic reaction when exposed to sweat.
As a general rule, it's best to leave your ring off when you're breaking a sweat, whether you're at the gym, going for a run, or working out at home. So go ahead and give your ring a rest while you focus on your fitness.
3. Showering & Washing Your Hands
It is generally recommended to take off your ring while showering or washing your hands to prevent the buildup of soap and other substances that can dull the shine of the metal and potentially damage the gemstones. Additionally, taking off your ring can also prevent it from slipping off and getting lost down the drain.
4. Swimming
Many people have lost diamond rings while swimming in the ocean. Your body temperature can drop during swimming, causing your finger size to shrink and making it easy for the ring to slip off. Saltwater can also be damaging to rings, creating a film that can be difficult to remove.
Swimming in a pool is also not ideal for your ring. Chemicals like chlorine can erode certain materials and metal alloys, leading to discoloration and other damage. For example, rhodium on white gold wedding rings can degrade in chlorine and cause it to turn yellow.
Always remember to keep your ring safe at home, whether you're going to the beach or pool. Avoid the mistake of leaving it by the towel or in your beach bag. While your ring may not be damaged from one quick dip in the water, it's best to form the habit of keeping it away from potential harm.
5. Cleaning & Yard Work
It's crucial to keep your ring safe from harsh chemicals found in common household cleaning agents. Wearing rubber gloves is highly recommended to protect your hands. Bleach, for example, can oxidize metals and damage your ring. As a rule of thumb, what makes your bathroom mirror shiny can make your diamond ring dull. Gardening is another activity that puts your ring in harm's (or dirt's) way, so be mindful when you're wearing it.
6. Operating Machinery
Machinery can be hazardous to both you and your jewelry. Whether you're working with heavy-duty equipment as part of your job or as a hobby, it's important to remove any rings or jewelry to prevent accidents. This also applies to equipment used in home-based hobbies. Before starting any work, be sure to review the safety guidelines of the machinery and check if removing your jewelry is recommended.
7. Applying Lotions & Other Beauty Products
Diamond rings can easily become dull due to build-up caused by lotions, moisturizers, sunscreen, oils, and other beauty products. To prevent this, consider adding a simple step to your beauty routine – safely store your ring while applying moisturizers and other products. Wait until after you're done doing your hair to put it back on and avoid snagging, which can loosen the setting and cause discomfort. Additionally, certain types of gemstone engagement rings are prone to damage from lotions or cosmetics, so be cautious.
8. Cooking & Preparing Food
It's easy to forget, but very important: remove your engagement ring before handling any type of raw or ground meat. You don't want your beautiful symbol of love to become contaminated with bacteria. Even if you clean your ring regularly, it can still harbor bacteria that can transfer to or from the food you're preparing. Additionally, sharp knives and hot stovetops can put your ring at risk. Therefore, it's best to take it off while working in the kitchen.
9. Doing the Dishes
While sudsy dish detergent-filled water is not harmful to your ring, washing dishes with your ring on can cause it to slip off accidentally. It's easy to become engrossed in scrubbing tough stains and forget about your ring. This lack of attention, combined with the soapy water, can cause your ring to slip off and fall down the drain. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to remove your ring before doing the dishes.
10. Painting & Other Projects
Home renovation projects are typically not the best time to wear your engagement ring, as accidents can happen. You wouldn't want your ring to get damaged with paint specks, or worse yet, caught between a hammer and a hard place.
Protecting Your Ring
Are you worried about losing or damaging your precious rings? Protect them with jewelry insurance for added peace of mind, so you can wear them whenever you like. While there may be times when you need to take off your ring, there are many more reasons to keep them on. Our jewelry store offers premium cleaning services to keep your Elequent Jewelry looking stunning.