When Should You Take Off Your Engagement Ring?

Your engagement ring is more than a piece of jewelry; it’s a symbol of love and commitment that deserves proper care. In this guide, Afshin Shaddaie—renowned expert jeweler, celebrated author, and jewelry lecturer with over 30 years of experience—shares essential insights on when and why you should take off your engagement ring to keep it safe and beautiful for a lifetime.

Skip to a section: Gym, Beach, Cleaning, Medical, Swimming, Showering, Lotion, Baking, Traveling, Illness, Sleeping, and Gardening.

Gemstone Breakability Score

Before we mention when to take your engagement ring off, it’s important to understand how susceptible it is to damage it. Below is a list of the most popular gemstones and the gemstone breakability score. The higher the percentage, the more susceptible the gemstone will be to breakage.

Should You Wear Your Engagement Ring Every Day?

Yes. The engagement ring should be designed in such a way that it can be safely worn every day.

That being said, the engagement ring should not be worn at certain moments throughout the day. Keep reading to learn when and why.

1. Wearing a Ring While At the Gym

Wearing your engagement ring at the gym can be risky due to the nature of physical activities. Heavyweights, gym equipment, and repetitive motions can lead to scratches, bending, or even loosening of gemstones. Additionally, sweat and oils can create grime buildup on the ring.

To protect your ring, consider removing it before your workout and storing it in a secure pouch or locker. Alternatively, wear a silicone ring during gym sessions. Rings made of softer metals like gold or with gemstones prone to chipping, such as emeralds, require extra care.

If damage has already occurred, consult a jeweler for inspection and repairs, especially if the stone appears loose or the band is bent. Regular maintenance is recommended for rings exposed to frequent wear.

2. The Beach with Your Engagement Ring

The beach is a relaxing and enjoyable destination, but beach-going with your engagement ring can pose serious risks. Sand particles are abrasive and can scratch metals and gemstones, while salty ocean water may corrode certain materials over time. Additionally, sunscreen often leaves a slippery residue, increasing the chance of your ring accidentally slipping off.

To protect your ring, it’s best to remove it before heading to the beach. Store it securely in a waterproof jewelry case or zippered pouch to keep it safe from moisture and sand. If removing your ring isn’t an option, consider wearing a silicone ring as a temporary replacement, or at least be mindful when applying sunscreen.

Gemstones with a lower toughness or a high breakability score, like emeralds, are particularly susceptible to damage in these conditions.

If your ring has already been exposed to sand or saltwater, rinse it gently with fresh water and dry it thoroughly. For persistent residue or scratches, visit a professional jeweler for cleaning and polishing. Regular maintenance is essential, especially if you frequently wear your ring to the beach, to ensure it stays in excellent condition.

3. Cleaning the House While Wearing Your Ring

Household cleaning can expose your ring to harsh chemicals and accidental knocks against hard surfaces. Cleaning products can erode metal, discolor gemstones, and leave residue that dulls the ring’s sparkle.

Always remove your ring when cleaning and store it in a safe place. If cleaning with gloves, ensure they fit tightly to avoid snagging the ring. Gemstones with high porosity, such as opals, or those with a high breakability score, like emeralds, are especially vulnerable.

If your ring has been exposed to chemicals, rinse it thoroughly with water and take it for professional cleaning if residue remains. Avoid chemical exposure in the future to maintain its condition.

4. Engagement Rings During Medical Procedures

Hospitals and clinics often require jewelry to be removed for hygiene and safety reasons. Wearing a ring during medical procedures can risk loss or contamination, especially in sterile environments.

Store your ring in a secure jewelry case before any procedure. If you forget to remove it, ask medical staff to help store it safely. Rings with significant inclusions or weaker settings, such as I1 or lower diamonds, may also be more prone to damage during handling.

If the ring has been exposed to cleaning agents or handling damage, have it professionally cleaned and inspected after the procedure.

5. Swimming With Your Engagement Ring

Whether in a pool or at the beach, swimming can harm your engagement ring. Chlorinated water weakens metals over time, and slippery conditions make it easier for rings to fall off. Items within the water can also corrode and scratch the metal or gemstones.

Remove your ring before swimming and store it securely in a container. Rings with lower toughness, such as tanzanite or softer stones, are at higher risk of damage. If exposed to chlorine or saltwater, rinse your ring with fresh water and dry it immediately.

Regular professional inspections can help ensure that your ring remains in pristine condition.

6. Showering with Your Engagement Ring

Soaps and shampoos can leave a film on your ring while you shower, dulling its shine and potentially causing skin irritation. Over time, this buildup can be difficult to clean.

Take off your ring before showering and store it in a ring dish or jewelry box nearby. Rings with intricate settings or softer stones like aquamarine are especially prone to residue buildup.

If soap residue has accumulated, clean the ring with a gentle jewelry cleaner or warm water and a soft brush. For severe buildup, consult a jeweler for a thorough cleaning.

7. Applying Lotion and Makeup While Wearing Ring

Lotions, creams, and chemicals can coat your ring, dulling its brilliance and attracting dirt. These residues can accumulate in the prongs or settings, making the ring harder to clean over time.

Always remove your ring before applying lotion. Place it in a secure spot, such as a ring dish, to avoid misplacing it. For stones with porous surfaces, like opals or pearls, this precaution is especially important.

If your ring already has lotion buildup, clean it with a soft brush and mild detergent, or take it to a jeweler for professional cleaning.

8. Cooking and Baking While Wearing Your Ring

Sticky substances like dough or batter can get lodged in your ring’s crevices, making it unhygienic and hard to clean. Oils and ingredients may also damage softer stones or intricate settings.

Remove your ring before baking and store it in a safe location. Use a ring holder in the kitchen if needed. Stones with high porosity, such as morganite, are especially vulnerable to staining or absorption.

If food residue becomes trapped in your ring, soak it in warm water and gently brush it clean. For stubborn buildup, seek professional cleaning services.

Here’s Ann Reardon wearing one of our rare Georgian Era engagement rings while filming her show.

9. Wearing an Engagement Ring While Traveling

Traveling increases the risk of losing your ring or exposing it to unfamiliar environments. Theft, accidental damage, and exposure to harsh conditions can all pose a threat.

Consider leaving your ring at home or wearing a substitute ring while traveling. If you must bring it, store it in a secure travel jewelry case with padded compartments. High-value stones, such as diamonds or sapphires, should be insured.

If your ring suffers damage during travel, have it inspected and repaired by a jeweler as soon as possible.

10. What to Do with Your Ring When Feeling Sick

Illness can cause swelling in your fingers, making it uncomfortable to wear your ring and difficult to remove it. This can also increase the risk of damaging the ring during removal.

Remove your ring at the first sign of swelling and store it safely. If swelling persists, wait until it subsides before wearing the ring again. Rings with tight settings or intricate designs are especially vulnerable to damage during forced removal.

If the ring becomes stuck, use soap or lubricant to slide it off gently. In extreme cases, seek professional assistance to avoid damaging the ring.

11. Sleeping with Your Engagement Ring

Sleeping with your engagement ring on may seem harmless, but it can lead to accidental damage. Tossing and turning can cause the prongs to bend or snag the ring on fabric, potentially loosening the stone.

Always remove your ring before bed and store it in a safe spot, like a ring dish on your nightstand. Softer stones like aquamarine or settings with exposed prongs are more susceptible to damage.

If your ring sustains damage while you sleep, take it to a jeweler for prong tightening or stone resetting as needed.

12. Gardening with Your Engagement Ring

Gardening exposes your ring to dirt, rocks, and tools, all of which can scratch the metal and gemstones. Soil can also lodge in the setting, making it hard to clean.

Remove your ring before gardening, and wear gloves to protect your hands. Rings with fragile stones or high breakability scores, such as emeralds, are particularly at risk.

If your ring becomes dirty, rinse it with water and use a soft brush to remove debris. For scratches or severe dirt, consult a professional jeweler for cleaning and polishing.

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