Ah, summer. The season of long, sun-drenched days, spontaneous road trips, and dips in the nearest body of water. Your calendar is likely booked with beach trips, garden parties, and international adventures, and through it all, your engagement ring is your constant, sparkling companion. But as you slather on the SPF 50 and don your favorite sunglasses, have you ever stopped to think about what all this summer fun means for your most precious piece of jewelry? Does your ring need its own seasonal care routine to keep it safe from the sun, sand, and chlorine?

Spoiler alert: it does. Let's get into this Engagement Ring Care 101.

IS MY ENGAGEMENT RING MORE FRAGILE IN THE SUMMER?

The short answer is no, your ring itself doesn’t become physically more fragile, but it does become significantly more vulnerable to damage or loss during the summer.

Think of it this way: your ring is tough. Summer heat won't make the metal brittle or the diamond weak. However, your lifestyle changes in the summer, and that's where the real risk comes in.

Here are the main summer culprits to watch out for:

WATER 

Surprisingly, when it comes to summer care, H20 becomes a big H2-no. First of all, when you jump into a cold pool or the ocean, your fingers shrink. And when your fingers shrink, the likelihood of your ring slipping off unnoticed goes way up. 

Second, chemicals like chlorine are terrible for your ring's metal over time. Chlorine can react with the alloys in gold, making prongs brittle and weak, which could lead to losing a stone. The most resistant metals? Pure gold (which isn’t recommended for an engagement ring in the first place thanks to its softness), platinum, and palladium. Even still, saltwater can also be corrosive and is likely to dull the finish.

SUNSCREEN AND OTHER LOTIONS

Here, we have another interesting conundrum. Sunscreen is good for you after all, it prevents skin cancer. But what is in sunscreen and other common summer lotions? Oils. And those oils create a grimy film over your precious stones while lodging themselves firmly in all the little nooks and crannies of your ring. So what’s ring-loving-folks to do? If you absolutely must bring your ring on you when outside and wearing sunscreen be sure to take it on when applying and reapplying. And as we’ve said before, it’s not a good idea to swim while wearing. Not just because your ring is likely to slip off but also because your sunscreen or lotion can run. 

SAND DOESN’T JUST GET EVERYWHERE 

Sand is essentially just tiny shrapnel. While its composition varies, the most common type of sand you’ll see in the summer, beach sand, is usually made up of silica in the form of quartz which has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. That means, anything that’s rated less than 7 can be scratched by sand. This includes stones like moonstone, Tanzanite, opal, turquoise, pearl, and amber. Not to mention certain alloys of gold and silver. So really, when it comes to a non-diamond engagement ring, sand really is the enemy. 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES 

Ok, this one is pretty simple. The more rough and tumble activities you do outside, the more likely you are to chip your gemstone, prongs, or ring setting. Even if it’s a diamond. Let’s say you go hiking and fall and hit your hand on a rock. Not only is it extremely painful, but the force of your prong-set Marquise cut solitaire diamond hitting a rock was enough to chip its tapered point. Talk about a tragedy. 

HOW DO I ENSURE MY ENGAGEMENT RING DOESN’T BREAK DURING THE SUMMER? 

 

 

The best way to make sure that your engagement ring stays in one piece is to leave it at home if you are in doubt about its safety. While it can be incredibly frustrating, or even feel like you’re leaving a piece of you behind, adventuring without it for a week is better than losing it forever. 

ARE THERE ANY ENGAGEMENT RING SUBSTITUTES I CAN WEAR WHEN OUT AND ABOUT THIS SUMMER? 

Absolutely! Our favorite option is a simple silicon band. While it’s not flashy, it does the trick.  In fact, it’s often considered the undisputed champion of the active lifestyle. Silicone is water resistant, heat resistant, and also just wildly affordable. Alternatively, you could opt for simple metal bands that you don’t mind scuffing up or losing. While silver is a soft metal, it tends to be a more affordable and stylish option. So if you’re someone who’s willing to spend a little more to keep a fashionable finger, silver could be right up your alley. 

HOW DO I CLEAN MY ENGAGEMENT RING IN THE SUMMER?

Cleaning your engagement ring is exactly the same in the summer as it is during any other season of the year. All you need is a bowl of warm, soapy water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a microfiber cloth. Gently scrub your engagement ring in the soapy water with your toothbrush, ensuring that all nooks and crannies are cleaned and you’ll be rewarded with a sparkling bright engagement ring. Just keep in mind, if you have foregone our recommendations and worn an engagement ring out and about while wearing sunscreen or climbing mountains, it may need to be cleaned more often than in the winter. 

MAKE THIS SUMMER YOUR SPARKLIEST ONE YET

Your engagement ring is made for a lifetime of memories, and that includes every sun-drenched, adventure-filled summer day. By being mindful of the unique challenges the season brings—from sunscreen and sand to that tempting dip in the pool—you’re not putting your ring away, you’re protecting it for all the seasons to come. It’s about ensuring this symbol remains as brilliant and beautiful as your love story. 

Speaking of which, if you’re ready to start your love story today, Olivia Ewing Jewelry can help. From our stunning collection of nature-inspired rings to breathtaking starlight-inspired and fantasy-inspired engagement rings, we have the perfect ring for you.

 

 

Meet the Author: Olivia Ewing