What’s the first thing that happens when you get engaged? (No, I mean after the part where you go wild with excitement.) That’s right – you show off your engagement ring to everyone and anyone who will spare five seconds to look at it. Girlfriends, family members, coworkers, social media friends, random people on the street – OK, maybe not so much that last one – all want to see the bling, and you’re more than happy to show it to them.
You’re (hopefully) only going to get engaged once, so why wouldn’t you want to make a big deal out of it? And who doesn’t love seeing a beautiful engagement ring? No one we know, that’s for sure.
But there is a danger in being too laissez faire with your engagement ring. If you’re wearing it everywhere and waving it around while taking it on and off for others to see, you’re raising the risk of it getting lost or damaged. Now, we don’t want to worry you too much over this. It’s your engagement ring, and you should show it off and enjoy wearing it, but there are some situations in which you’d probably be better off removing it and putting it in a safe place.
So when shouldn’t you wear your engagement ring?
Working Out
Are you trying to get in the best shape of your life so you look stunning in that wedding gown? Good for you, and good luck to you. But, maybe consider leaving your engagement ring at home or locked securely in a locker while you’re hitting the weights. Why? For starters, you risk all those dumbbells and barbells scratching it up if you don’t wear gloves while working out. But even if you do, there’s still the danger of the weights’ pressure bearing down on the band too much and causing it to bend. And if you have a pavé band, the trouble is double: your stones could end up falling right out of their setting. Eek!
If you’re just doing some cardio or heading to yoga class, you’re probably fine to keep your ring on. But on days where you’re planning to do some weight lifting, do yourself a favor and do it without your ring.
Hitting the Shower
Whether you’re washing off all the sweat from an intense workout or just getting your daily wash in, the shower is no place for your engagement ring. Soaps, shampoos, conditioners and other beauty supply products can take a toll on a ring’s stone over time, causing a cloudy buildup. Worse yet, it’s possible for this buildup to occur under the stone, which is exceedingly difficult to clean. Don’t rush to put the ring back on the second you dry off, either. If you’re planning to put product in your hair or scented lotion on your body, then do it before putting your ring back on, as they pose the same danger of clouding up your stone.
Going for a Swim
If you swim laps as part of your workout routine or are just looking for some much-needed R & R from wedding planning in the pool or hot tub, leave your engagement ring behind. There’s little chance that you’ll lose the ring here, and chances are it’ll be fairly easy to find even if you do. However, all that chlorine and other chemicals in pools and hot tubs can cause significant discoloration in your rings’ metal(s).
Heading to the Shore
This one may not be a huge surprise, but wearing your engagement ring to the shore is probably not the best idea. If it comes loose and falls off in the sand or the ocean, then the chances you’re ever going to find it again are slim to none, and slim just got carried out to sea with the tide. But that’s not your only concern. Even if you manage not to lose your ring, you could still get sand stuck in the setting or under the diamond. In fact, if you somehow manage to avoid that from happening, you’re a very lucky person. Finally, sunscreen and precious stones don’t mix – the chemicals in the sunscreen will cloud your stone right up.
Doing Some Spring Cleaning
Actually, if you’re doing any cleaning at all during any time of the year, your best bet is to take your ring off first. For much the same reason mentioned during showering and applying sunscreen, household cleaning agents and diamonds don’t mix. This is especially true if your rock has a colored finish, as they’re particularly vulnerable to cleaning chemicals.
Cubic Zirconia Engagement Ring
So what do you do if you still want to show off a ring and your engaged status at the gym, the beach and elsewhere? Wear a high-quality cubic zirconia engagement ring, of course! Cubic zirconia rings made with the Russian Formula reflect the light so well that not even seasoned gemologists can tell them apart from the real thing with the naked eye. Best of all, cubic zirconia engagement rings are affordable, so you’re not out a fortune if you lose or damage them.