While there are many, many times that you can happily flaunt engagement rings, there are a few other times that it’s best to keep your ring off. Even though diamonds are known for their toughness, they are not invincible to wear and tear over time. In some instances, wearing your ring can put it at risk of losing its sparkle, damaging its setting or even losing the entire ring.
An important part of owning a precious jewellery item lies in looking after it over many, many years. Your engagement ring is a potential heirloom that, if cared for properly, will be able to be passed on to future generations. As such, it is vital to learn how to look after your ring so that it lasts forever. In this mini guide, we take a look at some of the times that it’s better to leave your precious ring off just to be on the safe side.
When NOT to Wear Engagement Rings
Some of the times that it may be better to leave your ring off include the following:
1. At the beach.
There are a few reasons to leave engagement rings off when going to the beach. Firstly, losing your ring in the ocean is never a good idea. Unlike a pool, which has filters, the ocean is a vast place. Cold water can easily cause your ring finger to shrink, further adding to the risk of it getting lose while you’re taking a dip. Another reason to avoid taking your ring to the beach is that sand can lodge in the setting and also scratch your stone. Thirdly, all that sunscreen will very invariably get all over your ring, making it quickly lose its shine.
2. At the gym.
Cardio and yoga shouldn’t get interfere with your ring much at all. If you plan to be using machines or get any weight lifting done however, it may be better to leave the ring off until your workout is done. Pressure is never a good thing for any jewellery. It could cause your ring band to bend if too much weight is applied to your ring finger. For contact sports, a ring can also cause serious damage (to you or another person!). As a general rule of thumb, if you plan to be using your hands a lot, rather leave the ring off.
3. In the shower or bath.
A quick splash won’t do any damage, but prolonged soaks and showers can slowly add to the wear and tear. Soap, shampoo and other cosmetic products can all affect your ring over time. Residue can build up on the stone, causing it to appear dull. Worse, residue can get into the setting, making it much harder to clean.
4. In the pool or hot tub.
If you plan to do some swimming or soaking, rather leave your ring off. Chlorine can damage metal and stones over time. It can even change metal colour if you swim often. Even though you can likely find your ring if it falls off in a swimming pool or Jacuzzi, it is possible for it to loosen and get lose in the creepy crawly.
5. During heavy cleaning.
Washing the car? Doing some serious spring cleaning that involves harsh chemicals and plenty of scrubbing? It’s probably best to leave your ring off until you are finished. Coloured stones are more prone to discolouration than regular diamonds, but even the most flawless of diamonds can be put at risk when exposed to harsh chemicals and manual labour.
It’s worth adding that a regular check-up and professional clean is recommended at least once a year. Engagement rings are designed to last forever, but they still require a bit of tender loving care to stay as sparkling as the day it was put on your finger.