There’s a lot of noise online about how often you should wear your engagement ring and how to keep it looking bright. One article tells you to never take it off, another warns you about every tiny scratch. It can feel like you’re one wrong move away from ruining something precious.
At Alexis Gallery, we take a calmer approach. Our custom rings are built to last a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean they need to be on your hand for every minute of every day. It’s not “wrong” to take off your engagement ring. In many situations, it’s a smart form of ring care, and a thoughtful way to protect a piece that means so much.
Your engagement ring belongs in the world of fine jewellery, meant to be worn often and handled with a bit of care. On days filled with heavy lifting or contact with gym equipment, cleaning products, or other chemicals, it helps to set it aside. Those surfaces can mark the metal and stress the setting over time, which may loosen stones. Cold water can also shrink your fingers for a moment, making ring slipping more likely than most people expect.
It’s always a great idea to take off a diamond ring before engaging in any activity that could result in a major impact, such as exercising and playing sports, as well before other kinds of activities, like gardening, cleaning with harsh chemicals, or swimming in salt water. Beauty products, lotions, and hand sanitizer can dull a diamond’s brilliance and damage metal over time. The same goes for sleeping – we’re not mindful of our movements during sleep which risks the ring getting caught and twisting or pulling at the band.
Wearing your ring every day slowly leaves its mark. Gold and platinum pick up fine scratches, and over time the prongs can lose tension making stones loose. Even when worn with caution, one unlucky bump can cause prongs to loosen, but the more you wear your ring during high-impact activities, the more you increase the chance of damage.. Soap residue and other chemicals from daily routines build up in the setting and take away some of the sparkle.
As you’re designing your engagement ring, consider how you plan to wear your ring as you’re deciding on your centre stone.
Every gemstone has a corresponding hardness rating based on the MoHs hardness scale which is the most important factor in predicting how the stone will wear over time. Anything under an 8 (like an Emerald, Morganite or pearl) needs to be worn with even more care to prevent scratches and cracks over time.
Ring care is personal. Some people like to wear wedding rings and engagement rings all day, while others take them off at many different times, from household chores to exercise or sleep. The key is having a routine you trust. A small ring safe or dish gives your ring a predictable landing spot so you don’t lose track of it, and a travel case keeps it protected on the go.
Sleeping with your engagement ring on isn’t immediately harmful, but it’s not the best habit for long-term wear. Bedding and hair can catch on the band, and repeated pressure from your hands can slowly loosen stones or damage the ring outright. Over time, the metal may bend just enough to change how the ring fits. It is always recommended to take your engagement ring off and place it in a small ring dish beside the bed to keep it secure and prevent accidental damage.
Showering or washing your hands with your ring on might seem harmless, but soap residue and other cleaning agents build up quickly behind the stone. This film can temporarily dull a diamond’s brilliance until its next cleaning. Cold water can also cause your fingers to shrink slightly, increasing the risk of the ring slipping. Depending on your drain’s opening there is also a risk of the unimaginable, your ring slipping down.
A quick rinse in warm water with a little dish soap and a soft bristled toothbrush is a much safer way to clean your ring without exposing it to harsh chemicals.
It’s best to avoid wearing your ring during physical activities or when using gym equipment. Constant contact with metal bars can scratch metals and loosen the setting. Sweat and hand sanitizer can also affect the finish over time. If you like the feeling of something on your ring finger, a silicone ring is a practical alternative. Taking off your ring before workouts helps protect both the ring and your comfort while preventing the risk of potentially losing it.
Every engagement ring tells a story, and part of that story is how it’s cared for. Knowing when to wear it—and when to take it off—preserves its brilliance and keeps it part of your daily joy, not daily stress.
At Alexis Gallery, we create custom rings in Toronto that are designed to last a lifetime, crafted in-house with care and expertise. We’re also by your side to provide advice and guidance on when and how to wear a ring based on your lifestyle. Of course accidents do happen, and we’re always quick to help clients repair their rings in a calm and timely manner.
Whether you are after a custom diamond engagement ring to celebrate your commitment or custom wedding bands to complete the set, every piece is made with intention and your preferences in mind.
If you’re thinking about designing your own engagement ring, bring your ideas to our team and start a conversation with a designer today!
