When Not To Wear Your Engagement Ring

Bling, bling… You got the ring!

The Ring Concierge


You said yes! Mostly because you're in love with your fiancé...but if we're being totally honest, who could say no to that shiny piece of jewelry? It's understandable that you never want to take your ring off; however, there are a few instances where it's best to place it in a pretty ring box for safekeeping. Here are 7 times you won't want to wear your engagement ring—ensuring you preserve that brilliant shine for years to come!




When You're Working Out

Steel can damage precious metals—which are used to make jewelry because they are soft—and there's no better way to misshape your engagement ring over time than to wear it while lifting weights. Even yoga is a no-no in a delicate ring: you're putting over 100 pounds of body weight onto a tiny circle of metal, so bending (and snapping!) can definitely happen.


When You're Swimming or At The Beach

Engagement rings + swimming? Just say no! There's the obvious risk of losing your ring underwater, but salt water and chlorine can also cause corrosion, discoloration, and dull its sparkle. The beach adds a whole 'nother level of engagement ring risk: grains of sand can get stuck behind the stone, and sunscreen will definitely tone down the brilliance of your bling. Going on a tropical vacay? Invest in a ring box first!

Christy McCarter Photography


When You're Cooking

Salmonella is soooo not sexy. Bacteria can easily get caught underneath the stone (ew), which is a difficult place to clean. Take your engagement ring off before you handle raw chicken, meat, or fish, and be very careful washing produce or soapy dishes in the sink!


When You're Showering or Applying Lotion

If you want your hardware to stay bright and shiny, take your ring off while applying body washes, moisturizers, and hand masks. While these lotions and potions are fabulous for your skin, they'll dull your diamond with a foggy film. Even hand sanitizers can affect your ring's brilliance over time. Best to wait until your hands are clean and dry before sliding the bling back on—keeping any buildup at bay.


When Wearing Gloves

Ski gloves and rings are archenemies, since your ring size naturally decreases when it's cold outside—leading to a loose ring that easily slides off. Gardening gloves can accidentally pull an engagement ring off upon removal (and trust us, a diamond tree is not the result). And for those in the medical profession who wear latex gloves, oftentimes the prongs of the ring get bent over time as they get caught on the latex material.


When It Doesn't Fit Properly and/or is Damaged

Whether it's too big or too small, you can damage an ill-fitting ring (or even worse, lose it) quite easily. And if something is already amiss with your ring, don't take chances—just take it to a jeweler as soon as you notice it. Wearing it could make a simple fix a more difficult one in the end.


When It's Not Insured

Look into homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or straight-up jewelry insurance for that baby. It's super inexpensive and a lifesaver when needed.


Engaged? Start Here

Imagery by Marianne

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