Planning a wedding can be all kinds of chaotic and stressful, but you know at the end of it you’ll finally be married to your sweetheart with a honeymoon soon to follow. What better way to de-stress than on the beach with the love of your life?
Take it from one of our experts, Forge Jewelry Works, that losing your wedding ring on the beach is not the best way to enjoy your first week as a married couple. Here are some tips from Rischelle and Shawn, Forge’s owners, on how to take care of your jewelry, whether you’re on your honeymoon or a cruise to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary!
The Motion of the Ocean
The best way to avoid losing your rings in the first place is to take precautions ahead of time.
“There are certain activities that you want to make sure that you are very careful of. So anything that’s going to cause you to sweat or get wet presents a good risk of losing your ring because it can slip off.” If you’re planning on taking that surf lesson or ziplining through a tropical forest, it might be wise to leave your ring back at the hotel.
“I can’t even calculate the amount of rings that are in the ocean, Lake Powell, and local rivers; there’s a reason you always see people walking up and down with metal detectors along the beaches.” Cold water can make your fingers shrink. The motion of the ocean can thieve away your precious keepsakes before you even realize they’re gone!
Even relaxing in the pool for too long can hurt the metals in your bands. “The chlorine will attack the alloys in gold, and most gold jewelry is alloyed so it has gold and other metals in it. Chlorine will attack the other metals and make them brittle. We see some people that spend a lot of time swimming and they don’t take their rings off. They’ll bring it in and the gold is turned black and it has cracks throughout, and that’s because the chlorine has attacked the alloys.”
Don’t worry though, a few splashes in the pool aren’t going to destroy your gold ring. “The occasional dip in the pool is not going to hurt, but if it’s a regular thing it’s just wise to get it off.”
Catch Flights Not Lost Rings
Another tip from the experts is to remember that your body—and fingers—change when you travel. “When you fly, you’ll notice your body swells for a day or two until it acclimates to wherever you’ve gone. And so a lot of people should probably take their jewelry off for a day or two when they fly if they don’t want to get it stuck or uncomfortable on their fingers.”
While we’re on the topic of flights—don’t take your rings off for TSA. “We recommend when you go through TSA and security, keep your jewelry on your finger, on your neck, in your ears. Don’t take it off for TSA unless they absolutely require it, but they usually don’t.” You wouldn’t want to lose your ring to the depths of the scary X-ray machines…
But I Just Got My Ring, I Want Everyone to Know I’m Married
We get it, it’s so exciting! You even have your sunhat that says ‘Bride’ on the brim and everything. You want to show off that bling! Consider getting a fake one or a silicone one instead—just to wear out to places where the risk of losing it is high.
“Just a simple silver band or a gold band or something like that can be really good travel rings, especially if you’re doing something that’s a little more adventurous or less formal. There’s a silicone band, there’s just a regular metal band, there’s all sorts of those that can be affordable.” That way, when you do go out swimming with sharks or horseback riding, you can still show off your left hand without worrying about losing your real diamond.
Another great idea from Rischelle and Shawn is to get a fake ring that looks like a real one. They’ll even sell some of their designer model rings right out of their shop in Provo. “A lot of people use those as a travel band because it looks like your big beautiful engagement ring, but if you lost it it was only ten or twenty-five dollars.”
Designate a Safe Spot
While traveling, it’s easy to misplace your jewelry because it’s not in its usual spot. Designate a specific place in your luggage or hotel room where you always put your jewelry when you’re not wearing it. A small velvet pouch, a ring box, or a travel-sized jewelry box can help keep your items organized and safe. Many hotels offer in-room safes, which can be a secure place to store your jewelry when you’re out exploring.
“Have a specific, designated place that you’re always going to put it
when you wash your hands, anything like that—it always goes in that place. Be really vigilant with those rules that you keep for yourself when you’re traveling because you’re out of your normal routine.”
Insurance Assurance
Even if you are careful, accidents happen, and sometimes jewelry gets lost or damaged. Insuring your jewelry can provide peace of mind. Companies like Jewelers Mutual offer specific jewelry insurance that covers loss, theft, and damage. It’s affordable and can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong.
Check out Forge’s website for more information on insuring your jewelry—and you don’t even have to buy your rings from Forge to use Jewelers Mutual!
Keeping It Clean
Bringing along a travel-sized jewelry cleaner can help maintain your jewelry’s sparkle. Options like a foaming cleaner or a pen-style cleaner are convenient for on-the-go touch-ups. Once you arrive at your destination, you want your bling to shine! Forge has some of their own jewelry care products to stock up on before your vacation.
Before you leave for your trip, consider having your jewelry professionally cleaned to ensure it’s in top condition. “Bring it into us and we’ll do a free cleaning—a good deep cleaning.” You’ll be ready for Formal Night on your cruise!
Be Cautious With New Purchases Abroad
If you’re tempted to buy jewelry while traveling, be cautious. Tourist spots often sell items that might not be as authentic as they seem. Ensure you purchase from reputable stores and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. For example, silver pieces should be stamped with “925,” indicating they are sterling silver, but even stamps can be counterfeited. When in doubt, buy pieces for their aesthetic value rather than their supposed material worth.
“If you think something’s pretty from a street vendor—buy it! You’re not buying it because it’s diamonds and silver, you’re buying it because it’s pretty and it commemorates your trip.” If you’re looking for a precious gem to bring back to Forge so they can turn it into a custom piece of jewelry for you, make sure it’s from a credible source!
When In Doubt, Take It Off
“If there’s an activity or something you’re doing, and if you’re questioning it, there’s probably a reason for that. Take it off and leave it in a secure place.” No matter where you’re going on your honeymoon—or any vacation with your honey—taking precautions to keep your wedding rings safe is always a good idea. Check out more info right from Forge themselves on how to avoid losing your ring!
