Seven reasons why you should never wear your engagement ring to bed
Do you wear your engagement ring – or any other sentimental rings – to bed? If so, you’re making a grave mistake that could cost you dearly.
Neil Dutta, the Managing Director of engagement ring specialists Angelic Diamonds, reveals seven shocking reasons it’s dangerous to sleep with your engagement ring on if you want to best protect your investment and keep it looking as good as new.
1) It can cause structural damage to the prongs
Wearing your ring to bed is like subjecting it to a nightly torture session. This unnecessary stress on the prongs and setting can loosen the structure holding your centre stone, dramatically increasing the risk of loss. In fact, as many as a third of engagement ring repairs are due to prong damage, with sleeping in your ring being a major culprit.
By removing your ring before you sleep, you’re not just preserving its structural integrity – you’re safeguarding your precious memories and reducing the risk of a costly repair or stone replacement.
2) It can cause contact dermatitis, skin irritations and more
Wearing your ring continuously, especially during sleep, creates an environment ripe for skin problems. Your ring acts like a barrier, trapping moisture, dead skin cells, and bacteria against your skin. This can lead to several dermatological issues.
For example, contact dermatitis can emerge from trapped moisture and potential metal allergies, causing red, itchy rashes around your ring area. Similarly, the warm, moist environment of a bed can create the perfect conditions for fungal growth.
Moreover, your ring can become a breeding ground for bacteria, potentially leading to minor infections or exacerbating existing skin conditions. These aren’t just cosmetic concerns – they’re genuine health considerations.
By removing your ring at night, you’re allowing your skin to breathe, reducing moisture build-up, and minimising these potential health risks. Think of it as giving your finger a nightly ‘detox’ from jewellery constraints.
3) It gives you a chance to clean your ring
Did you know that two thirds of people never clean their jewellery? This is worrying, given the skin issues I’ve previously discussed. But taking your ring off at night allows for a quick cleaning routine that maintains your ring’s brilliance and enables frequent inspections to catch potential issues early.
Neil recommends a thorough cleaning at least once a week. Simply soak your ring in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap for 20-40 minutes, then gently brush it with a soft toothbrush. To finish, rinse in warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth.
4) Constant wear can cause your ring to become more oval-shaped over time
Constant wear, especially during sleep, can gradually deform your engagement ring’s shape. This is particularly true for rings with thinner bands or those made from softer metals.
Imagine waking up one day to find your once-perfect circle has morphed into an oval. This doesn’t just ruin its aesthetics – it compromises stone security too. Give your ring a nightly rest, and you’ll be extending its lifespan and preserving its original shape.
5) You’re also more likely to lose a stone
Active sleepers, who toss and turn a lot, may unknowingly catch their ring on bedding or nightwear. This can potentially chip or loosen a stone, especially those in a pavé or channel setting.
The repair costs can be significant – replacing a single pavé stone can range from £50 to £250, depending on the stone’s size and the complexity of the setting.
By simply removing your ring before bed, you eliminate this risk entirely. It’s a small action that can save you hundreds of pounds and the heartache of losing a precious stone. And let’s be honest, midnight stone-hunting in your bedsheets is not anyone’s idea of a good time!
6) You could accidentally scratch your partner or kids
Most people don’t realise how sharp engagement rings can be. Pavé settings with multiple small stones create multiple potential scratching points.
A single turn in bed could result in accidental facial scratches or skin abrasions. For couples sharing a bed, this risk doubles. And of course, this figure increases even more if you let your children sleep in your bed too.
7) It can reduce the value of your ring
While your engagement ring holds sentimental value, it also holds financial value, too! Naturally, extending a ring’s pristine conditions directly impacts its long-term value.
Most people don’t realise that constant wear, especially during sleep, accelerates depreciation. Metal fatigue, stone loosening, and surface wear can reduce a ring’s resale or insurance valuation dramatically.
Insurance is increasingly strict about ‘reasonable care’. Many policies now require documented maintenance and evidence of careful handling. By establishing a nightly removal routine, you’re not just protecting your ring – you’re potentially safeguarding your insurance coverage.
A few seconds of careful removal each night can preserve its beauty, structural integrity, and financial value for decades to come.
Angelic Diamonds is a leading online jewellery retailer specialising in handcrafted diamond jewellery, including engagement rings, wedding rings, and bespoke designs. Established in 2009, the company is dedicated to providing exceptional quality at competitive prices by sourcing diamonds directly from producers and crafting all pieces in-house at their UK workshops.
