Should You Wear Your Engagement Ring in the Pool?

If you're like most brides-to-be, you probably never want to take your engagement ring off-you love it and what it symbolizes, so why wouldn't you want to wear your beautiful ring every waking minute of the day? That begs the question though: Is it a good idea to wear your ring all day long, no matter what you're doing? One jewelry expert says no, especially during the summertime. According to Taralynn Lutz, an accredited jeweler with certificates from the Gemological Institute of America, suggests thinking twice before wearing your diamond ring into the pool.

Keep Your Stones Safe

Diamonds are considered the hardest stone on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which Lutz says is a numerical scale used to measure the scratch resistance of various minerals. Although your diamond is literally as hard as a rock, it's still not wise to mistreat the stone by repeatedly exposing it to the harsh chemicals found in swimming pools-chlorine can negatively interact with any treatments that have been performed on your ring's gemstones. Though these interactions can vary in severity, Lutz recommends avoiding exposure in the first place.

If your ring is made up of a mixture of stones, you have additional reasons to worry. "Natural stones such pearl, lapis lazuli, and turquoise run the risk of drying out when exposed to water for prolonged periods of time," she explains. Bottom line: It's better to be safe than sorry, so remove your ring before swimming to ensure whatever stone you have stays in pristine condition.

The Diamond Is Not All You Need to Worry About

The precious metals that hold your stones in place can also be affected by the pool water. "Chlorine will interact with your metal and can potential damage your prongs. Loose prongs increase your chance of losing your diamond and/or making it susceptible to damage," Lutz ays. This is especially true if your ring has any amount of nickel in it, which our pro explains can be affected by daily wear as well. There is also a chance the pool's chemicals could discolor your gold and platinum settings. While she says most gold rings will not react, many rings are made from a combination of various alloys which can experience everything from cracking to the blackening after exposure to harsh chemicals.

Salt Water Pools Are Dangerous, Too

Salt water pools can also pose a significant threat to your ring. "Rose gold has a high percentage of copper and salt water will accelerate the corrosion. Exposure to salt can ultimately lead to erosion of soldered parts," Lutz explains. "What this means is that the prongs holding your diamond will be weakened over time creating a loose setting for your diamond." When a setting is loose, your diamond isn't secure.

The Water Is Not Your Only Worry

There's more to worry about poolside than the long-term damage that chemicals can do to your ring-bug sprays, lotions, and sunscreens all pose additional threats to your ring's integrity. Not to mention the fact that it would be very hard to locate your ring if it slips off in the water!