At Perrara, we totally get it. We understand. Your newly minted engagement ring was crafted especially for you, by the one you love. You adore it. Every time you gaze at your left hand, you are reminded of your proposal and the promise of a lifetime together. You want to wear your ring every moment, of every day. But should you? There are plenty of situations where taking your engagement ring off will protect your treasured heirloom and ensure you will have it looking it’s best for years to come. These are our top 10 recommendations of when you should take your engagement ring off.

1. Take off your engagement ring on your wedding day

Tradition dictates that on her wedding day, the bride to be should wear her diamond engagement ring ring on her right hand. That way, when your wedding band is slipped onto your left ring finger during the wedding ceremony along with an “I do”, your wedding band is in position to be on your finger first. Then, at a quiet moment, you can move your engagement ring into it’s traditional position a top your wedding band.

Did you know? There is a vein running from your left hand ring finger directly to your heart. When worn first, your wedding band will then be closest to your heart.

2. Take off your engagement ring when sleeping

This is completely personal preference but points to keep in mind:

• The prongs on your engagement ring are small and made of precious metals such as gold or platinum. If unknowingly snagged on blankets, sheets or clothing this can loosen the prongs on your diamonds.

• If your hands swell throughout the night, sleeping in your engagement ring may prove uncomfortable.

3. Take off your engagement ring when travelling

While it totally depends what kind of trip you are taking, what you will be doing and where you will be going, it may be best to treat your diamond engagement ring like any other valuable item. In some cases you may feel more comfortable knowing your ring is in a safe place at home.

Pro tip: Check with your insurance company if you will be insured for loss, theft or damage while travelling. Some home insurance policies only cover you while you experience loss at home.

4. Take off your engagement ring when swimming

This is a HUGE one!! Here’s why:

• The ocean - saltwater is highly abrasive on gold and platinum. The sand can damage the setting of your diamond and there is always potential of losing your ring in cold water. Sunscreen and other lotions can also build up behind your diamonds compromising your sparkle.

• The pool - chlorine and other harsh chemicals can wreak havoc on your precious metals. You also risk discoloration of the gold. If your ring is white gold and has rhodium plating, the chlorine and other chemicals in pools can strip the finish.

• Hot tubs - ditto for hot tubs. There are so many chemicals that can cause your ring to lose it’s shine big time.

Did you know? Taking off your engagement ring while swimming is especially vital if your ring has gemstones like pearls, opals or other precious gems.

5. Take off your engagement ring when exercising

As your wedding date approaches, many a bride will up their exercise regimen to look and feel their best on the big day. But sports, gyms & sweat are not your engagement rings friend. Sports can cause misshapen rings (think gripping a tennis racket with a little too much gusto). Weight lifting is incredibly hard on the shank (or foundation) of your ring. Those serrated grips can dig into your band causing deep dents that are difficult for your jeweler to remove. Sweat can cause your ring to slide around haphazardly, making it not only uncomfortable but also risking damage to your center stone.

6. Take off your engagement ring when using chemicals

Harsh chemicals, cleaning solutions, bleach and even things like exfoliating beauty products can damage a fine piece of jewelry. Many times these have the intent of abrasion to achieve their desired results…you just don’t want abrasion to your wedding rings!

Did you know? Cleaning solutions, lotions, beauty products and hand sanitizer can get stuck in and build up behind your diamonds. If left unchecked long enough, it can be extremely difficult to remove, even by a jeweler.

7. Take off your engagement ring when doing dishes

Whether you have a solitaire, three stone or pave set diamonds, doing dishes with your engagement ring on is not ideal. Not only can grease, dough or other ingredients get lodged behind your diamonds, daily contact of your engagement ring scraping against hard surfaces like your sink will cause undesired wear and tear.

Pro tip: Never place your ring on the edge of the kitchen sink. Which it may seem handy, there is more than average risk of it falling down the drain!

8. Take off your engagement ring when gardening or using tools

Similar to exercising or engaging in sports, using tools is hard on your treasured engagement ring. We know you are a “hands-on” girl and can get the job done…just not in your bespoke yellow gold oval-cut lab-grown diamond engagement ring.

9. Take off your engagement ring during pregnancy

While every woman is different and there is no one size fits all approach to this point, if your hands swell dramatically or you are experiencing more than average weight gain, you may want to put your engagement ring aside for your pregnancy. The last thing you want is for it to get tighter gradually and have to be cut off.

10. Take off your engagement ring when moving or doing renovations

Constant rubbing against boxes while packing and unpacking is just hard on small diamonds. Renovations (think paint all over your beautiful emerald cut diamond!) and again the use of tools can wreak havoc on your band. This is the perfect time to use your ring box & store your bling in a safe spot while you channel your inner Joanna Gains.

In Summary

There are clearly times when your precious engagement ring should be removed in order to protect it from damage and unnecessary wear. If you have an unusual job or hobby, discuss it with your local jeweler and get tips specific to your ring. You’ll be glad you did!

With Love, Perrara

Author: Lisa Maloney, Proprietor