Yahoo Lifestyle 5 Ways You're Putting Your Engagement Ring at Risk This Spring
A jewelry expert highlights the top mistakes to avoid.
Photo by Jessica Mangia
Often known as the season of new beginnings, spring is marked by fresh blooms, pastel hues, and warm weather outings. It's a time when many choose to let go of their winter worries, shifting their mindsets to embrace the fresh air and seasonal changes. But even with all the joy and excitement associated with this lovely time of year, for those who are currently married or engaged, there are a few risk factors to keep in mind as it relates to your engagement ring.
According to Janie Marshall, head of brand at Clean Origin, an engagement ring is a precious piece of jewelry that should be kept safe every season of the year. "At Clean Origin, we know just how significant this piece of jewelry is—a symbol of commitment, shared values, and lifelong love. Many of our couples also see it as a family heirloom, meant to be treasured and passed down through generations," she shares. And given the importance associated with these rings, we asked Marshall to help break down the top five ways you could be putting your engagement ring at risk this spring. Avoid these mistakes to ensure a stress-free and cheerful season.
Janie Marshall is the head of brand at Clean Origin, a luxury lab-grown diamond and jewelry company.
Related:How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring
Gardening
As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers." But before heading out to care for your new seasonal blooms, you should be mindful of your engagement ring and the risks that come with gardening. "Gardening is definitely a risky activity for your engagement ring! Gripping gardening tools tightly can cause damage to the shape, and even wearing gloves doesn’t always help—plus, you might snag your ring on the fabric," says Marshall. "While gardening, chances are high that you will be on both hands and knees in the soil as you work, and this can cause traces of dirt to get stuck in the small crevices of your ring, ruining the luster over time." However, even with all this in mind, the solution is still pretty simple: Remove your wedding jewelry before tending to your flowers.
Swimming
As the temperatures begin to rise, many people often find themselves heading to the pool for a springtime swim. For those sporting an engagement ring, though, be sure to remove your precious piece before getting in the water. "Swimming in any type of water can be damaging to your ring. In pools and hot tubs, chlorine can cause discoloration to both the band and the stones, and can also interact with the metal in a harmful way that can potentially loosen the prongs. This can make your ring more vulnerable over time," Marshall shares.
Additionally, if you plan to head to the beach, Marshall warns against wearing your engagement ring to any seaside locale. "At the beach, the sand is just like soil from gardening: It can find its way into the setting and wreak havoc. And exposure to salt water can cause other types of harm, especially in certain types of metal, including those with higher copper percentages such as rose gold," she notes. "Plus, you never want to accidentally have a wave wash your ring off your finger, or be applying tons of sunscreen and other oils or lotions while you have your ring on. For these reasons, I recommend leaving the ring safely at home on beach days!"
Spring Cleaning
As previously mentioned, spring is a season of new beginnings, a time to clear out the old and make space for the new. So if you currently have spring cleaning on your to-do list, just be sure to remove your engagement ring before embarking on this seasonal journey. "I always recommend taking off your ring for spring cleaning," Marshall advises. "The harsh chemicals used in many home cleaners—like window cleaner, bleach, and multi-purpose cleaner—can be extremely damaging to the ring, causing both metal and stone discoloration and erosion." Trust us, the last thing you want to do is damage your ring while attempting to embrace a fresh start to the season.
Hiking
"Hiking could be a disaster in the making for your engagement ring. Not only is it extremely difficult to retrace your steps if your ring should fall off, but the combination of sweat and sunscreen can be harmful to your ring," shares Marshall. Therefore, regardless of your specific trail and your level of expertise, we recommended leaving your precious piece at home when venturing on a hiking excursion.
Marshall also notes, "For those who are more outdoorsy and taking challenging hikes, wearing rings while scrambling or climbing can also lead to dangerous situations if something were to get caught on your ring or scrape on rocks. Plus, any sweaty activity increases the chance of your rings getting loose and slipping off."
Playing Sports
Now that the snow has melted and the grass is greener, outdoor activities are usually at a high during the spring season. With this in mind, Marshall strongly advises against wearing an engagement ring when engaging in sports or other workouts. "Since it’s not made for athletic activities, your ring could get caught on equipment or other people, causing damage to both your ring and whatever it’s come into contact with," she says. "The precious metal of your ring can also have a negative reaction to sweat, causing further damage. To keep your ring as pristine as possible, I highly recommend storing it securely whenever you play sports, work out, or engage in physical activity."
