6 Things You Should Be Doing To Protect Your Engagement Ring

Oct 13

You’re engaged! Yas! There are so many exciting experiences you’re about to have as a newly engaged couple. But one new addition is looming on your left hand, the RING. And you best be ready to flash it on demand at your next five family gatherings (stay on top of those manis!).

Outstretched hand with engagement ring. Ways to protect your engagement ring.

It might be the first diamond or other precious stone you’ve received, or at least the first piece of fine jewelry you’ll be wearing on the daily. So, to help you keep that rock shining like the first time you saw it, here are 6 ways to protect your engagement ring from the unthinkable (damage or even loss).

1. Take it Off

I know, I know – that’s not very romantic. And you might have exclaimed “I’ll never take it off!” seconds after it slid down your finger for the first time. But hear me out – your hands take the brunt work of almost everything you do. Taking your engagement ring off while performing certain tasks is the biggest key to keeping it in mint condition. You should remove your ring in the following situations:

Every night before bed. Especially if you’re a flail-er and sometimes maybe chop your husband in the throat once you hit REM…No? Just me? Accidental banging of your ring during sleep can loosen the setting. More commonly, catching your hair in your rock can also weaken the prongs. Sounds silly, but unless you snooze like Sleeping Beauty all night long, get in the habit now of removing your ring before bed.
Before washing your face, showering or bathing/swimming. Soapy fingers might as well be a slick track. Other than the obvious risk of losing your ring in these bodies of water, soap and shampoo can creep into hard to clean crevasses in your setting. Buildup of grime can weaken the tightness of your prongs, in addition to dulling the shine of your diamond or precious stone. Both chlorine and hot tub temperatures can be damaging and cause discoloration to your band. ANY liquids, (including water!) can impact the shine of a diamond.
Before cooking and doing dishes. PLEASE don’t be a cliché and lose your ring down the drain or accidentally bake it into a meatball. Slip it off FAR away from your kitchen sink if it’s your night to cook and clean. Working with your hands in the kitchen can be abrasive, and rubber gloves won’t always protect your ring from damage after banging into ceramic plates. Or, keep your ring on and order out.
When applying lotions. For all the reasons mentioned already, take a quick second to slip it off before applying hand or body lotion, sunscreens, make-up, self-tanner or before getting a manicure!

Pro-Tip: stock up on ring dishes around the house. One near the kitchen, on your bed-side table, your vanity, etc.! They’ll serve as a little reminder to slip your ring off and make sure it doesn’t go missing.

before working out. I won’t deny that your engagement ring has superpowers that repel the gym creepers. But it’s not worth smashing a barbell into your precious diamond. Keep your ring at home or in a LOCKED locker at the gym. Then slip on a silicon ring in its place – it will still send the right message to Creepy McGee.

Pro-Tip: if you do keep your ring in the locker room, don’t be obvious when removing it. Even better, find a pouch or secret pocket in your gym bag to stash it in. One time I went as far as stuffing my ring in between the tissues of a Kleenex travel pack…

2. Keep it On When…

When it’s time to flaunt the rock, keep that sucker on tight. As soon as you notice your ring sliding or spinning uncontrollably, take it back to the jeweler and resize (some spin is normal, but it shouldn’t spin without you moving your hand).

It’s common for rings to be resized both immediately following the engagement and at other points in your life! Our fingers naturally swell and shrink during different points in our lives (pregnancy, summer/humid temperatures, weight gain/loss, with age, etc.). Size your ring to wherever it feels most comfortable now. Usually that’s when it slides on smooth but gets naturally stuck on the knuckle before being removed.

3. Keep it Squeaky Clean

Washing your ring every 1-2 weeks should be a normal part of your routine. Obviously, you want that sparkler to blind the room at the company Christmas party, but cleaning your ring on a regular basis also helps keep the setting strong and free from debris.

My jeweler recommended using an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine for that fresh-from-the-jeweler shine. This is the one I use, but this smaller version has also worked great for me. Diamonds are extremely hard rocks, but if your ring is made of a more porous gem like emerald or opal, consult your jeweler on the best way to care for it.

Pro-tip: If you’re in a bind and need a quick clean while traveling, soak your ring in vodka or gin. My sister-in-law came in clutch on my wedding day and popped my ring in a shot glass of Titos (the airplane hand soap made my ring cloudy on our way to Greece). After a few minutes it was good as new! Queen Elizabeth also stands by this trick so we know it works…

4. Go for a Quick Tune-Up

An annual or bi-annual tune up may be necessary preventative care for your ring. Especially for micro-pave bands or halos with small diamonds and intricate settings. If you’re rough on your ring, pop in for a little check-up so your jeweler can make sure everything is in working order.

Pro-tip: schedule a tune-up and a ring polish the week of your wedding so the luster on your engagement ring matches that of your brand-new wedding band!

5. Insurance…obviously

Get it insured like yesterday!!! Keep your diamond’s GIA certificate and insurance documents in a safe. Before it’s insured don’t do anything stupid like go to the beach or take a sail on rough seas. Who would do that? Not me…

6. Travel Smart

Statement engagement rings are largely a US tradition. It is not smart to draw attention to yourself with any kind of flashy jewelry in a foreign country known for crime or pick-pocketing tourists. If you find yourself in one of these places, leave your ring at home in the safe. If you MUST bring your ring at all, utilize the hotel safe (depending on the hotel), or purchase a money belt/bracelet with hidden pockets to store your ring. Use your judgment in these situations and switch to your silicon band instead. It’s not worth losing a finger over…literally.

Pro-Tip: I use the Bandit bracelet that has a hidden zipper pocket on the underside. It came in handy while traveling in Egypt, then I could wear my ring later on in the trip in Greece and Scotland.

Getting engaged is a BIG deal and flashing your engagement ring is a God-given right! But, don’t forget your fiancé likely made a huge investment on your stunner. Be smart, keep in mind these tips and treat it like the very fine piece of jewelry that it is. You deserve it.