Wedding Bands: Snug Fit, Easy Off

Wedding bands are traditionally worn as a symbol of love and commitment to a partner in marriage. For some, the wedding band is never taken off as it goes against their beliefs, while others don't consider it important to always wear one. There are, however, situations where it is advisable to remove a wedding band, such as to avoid damage or loss, or for safety reasons.

Superstition and religion

Superstitions

• Removing the Ring: Some believe that removing a wedding band is symbolic of infidelity or trouble in a marriage. This superstition has its roots in ancient cultures, where wooden wedding bands were prone to disintegration if taken off.
• Tightness of the Ring: A tight wedding band is considered by some to spark jealousy in a marriage, symbolising a 'stifled' or 'strangled' relationship that may lead to unhappiness.
• Looseness of the Ring: Conversely, a loose wedding band is thought to foreshadow separation. The belief is that a ring prone to falling off signifies forgetfulness, ultimately leading to the end of the marriage.
• Trying on the Ring: It is considered bad luck by some to try on a wedding band before the wedding day. However, this superstition can be avoided by having the ring finger sized in advance to ensure a perfect fit.
• Dropping the Ring: Dropping a wedding band during the ceremony is a controversial act. Some believe it rids the marriage of evil spirits and leads to a prosperous union, while others view it as a disastrous omen.
• Wearing the Ring: In some superstitions, taking off a wedding band after it has been placed on the finger is considered bad luck. This belief may stem from the idea that removing the ring symbolises breaking the trust and commitment promised during the wedding vows.
• Wearing Someone Else's Ring: Wearing someone else's wedding band, especially from a broken marriage, is thought to bring bad luck. This is based on the idea that objects can retain the energies of traumatic events, passing on negative influences to the wearer.

Religion

• Christianity: Christians view the wedding band as a symbol of God's unending love. For this reason, many Christians never remove their wedding bands as a sign of their sacred commitment.
• Orthodox Christianity: In the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith, the wedding band holds a prominent place. Followers of this religion rarely take off their wedding bands, seeing them as symbols of their devotion to God and to each other.
• Judaism: In the Jewish faith, the wedding band is treated as a significant symbol of the loving bond between husband and wife, and it is generally not removed.
• Hinduism: Hindus often accompany their wedding bands with another sacred symbol of marriage. They view the wedding band as a sacred declaration of their relationship status and commitment.

Safety

While wedding rings are designed to be worn daily, there are times when it is advisable to take them off for safety reasons. Wearing your ring while engaging in certain activities can cause scratches, dents, stains, or gemstone loss. Additionally, if your ring is loose, there is a risk of it slipping off and getting lost.

• Swimming: It is best to take off your wedding ring before going for a swim in a pool, lake, or ocean. The salt water found in oceans can be corrosive to some metals and may cause discolouration or deterioration. Chlorine and other chemicals found in pools can also ruin your ring through dents or discolouration. Cold water can cause fingers to shrink, making it easy for the ring to slide off.
• Showering or Bathing: Taking off your wedding ring before showering or bathing is advisable because soap and shampoo can create a film on the ring, making it look dull and dirty. The chemicals can also sometimes react with any gemstones set into the ring or with the metal of the ring itself.
• Sports and Physical Activity: Engaging in physical activity or sports can cause your fingers to sweat, and the ring may slip off. You may also dent or scratch the metal of the ring while playing sports, or damage any gemstones. Additionally, there is a risk of injury if you wear your ring while playing contact sports.
• Skincare Routine: Creams, lotions, and other skincare products can get trapped in small crevices in the ring, making it difficult to clean. Chemicals in these products can also sometimes react with any gemstones or with the metal of the ring itself.
• Before Bed: Wearing your ring to bed can be risky, as it may get snagged in the bedding, causing damage to the ring or your finger. Sometimes fingers can swell when sleeping, and if your ring is a tight fit, it may become uncomfortable and cause a risk of lack of circulation.
• Household Chores and Manual Labour: Construction projects, heavy machinery, and manual labour do not mix well with jewellery. If you want to avoid causing your ring to split, scratch, or crack, don't wear your wedding band when doing manual labour. Sweat can also dull your ring's shine and cause it to slip off. There is also a risk of injury to your finger if the ring gets caught in machinery or heavy objects fall on your hand.
• Cleaning: Cleaning agents like bleach and other chemicals can damage the ring's metal or react with gemstones in the ring. Therefore, it is a good idea to remove your wedding ring before cleaning the house.
• Cooking: Removing your wedding band while cooking is important for sanitation purposes. Wearing your ring while cooking can cause food to get stuck in the crevices of the ring, especially if you're handling raw meat.
• Painting: Paint can fall under the category of chemicals and can blemish your ring. Getting paint on your ring can be challenging to clean, and strong chemicals may be needed to remove it, which can damage the ring.
• Medical Procedures: If you are going into surgery, it is advisable to leave your wedding ring at home. This is to prevent the need for doctors to cut it off during the procedure and to ensure your partner can keep the ring if anything happens to you.

Commitment

The wedding band is a physical symbol of commitment to a partner in marriage. For many, it is a way of recognising their love for their partner and a promise to be with them through life's ups and downs. In many religions, the wedding ring is held in high regard as a sacred symbol of love and commitment in the eyes of God.

For example, in Christianity, a wedding ring is seen as a symbol of God's unending love, which influences many Christians to never remove their wedding band. Similarly, in the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith, the wedding ring holds a place of pride, and those who follow this religion are unlikely to take it off. The ring is worn as a symbol of their commitment to each other and to God. In the Jewish faith, too, the wedding ring is treated as an important symbol of the loving bond between a married couple.

For some, removing their wedding band is seen as a declaration that they are no longer committed to their partner. However, it is important to remember that while the wedding ring is a symbol of commitment, it is also a piece of jewellery that can be removed for practical reasons, such as to protect it from damage or to ensure personal safety. Ultimately, the decision to wear a wedding band at all times is a personal one, and individuals should base their decision on their own beliefs and values.

In some cultures and traditions, it is forbidden to remove the wedding ring, as it is considered a talisman of eternal love. Superstitions also play a role, with some believing that removing the ring will bring bad luck to the marriage, the couple's children, or their health. However, in the modern world, opinions are divided, and some view the practicality of never taking off the ring as more important than adhering to tradition or superstition.

While the wedding band is a powerful symbol of commitment, it is also a reminder of the love and promises made between two people. It serves as a daily reminder of the strength and endurance of their relationship and the commitment they have made to each other.

Maintenance

While wedding rings are designed to be worn daily, there are times when it is advisable to take them off to avoid damage or loss. Wearing your ring while engaging in certain activities can cause scratches, dents, stains, or gemstone loss. Additionally, if your ring is loose, there is a risk of it slipping off and getting lost.

It is best to take off your wedding ring before going for a swim in a pool, lake, or ocean. Chlorine and saltwater can be harmful to some metals and gemstones. Cold water can cause fingers to shrink, making it easy for the ring to slide off.

Take off your ring before showering or bathing. Soap and shampoo can create a film on the ring, making it look dull and dirty. The chemicals can also sometimes react with any gemstones or the metal of the ring itself.

Remove your ring before applying any skincare or grooming products. Creams and lotions can get trapped in small crevices in the ring, making it difficult to clean. Additionally, products like hair gel and hairspray can stick to the ring, making it look dirty.

Consider taking off your wedding ring before going to bed. Wearing your ring to bed can be risky, as it may get snagged in the bedding, causing damage to the ring or your finger. Your fingers can also swell when sleeping, and if your ring is a tight fit, it may become uncomfortable and cause poor circulation.

If you are performing manual labour or working with harsh chemicals, such as cleaning mixtures, it is best to remove your ring. Gold, for example, is soft and easily scratched, bent, or worn down over time. Platinum is also prone to micro-scratches, which can dull its shine.

If you are playing intense sports, going to the gym, or working with abrasive substances, it is advisable to take off your ring, especially if it is a titanium ring, as these rings are not easy to fix or resize.

When you do take off your wedding ring, it is essential to store it safely to prevent damage or loss. The easiest way to do this is to place it in a jewellery box with a soft lining to prevent scratches. Alternatively, you can use a ring holder or a ring dish. If you prefer to keep your ring with you, consider storing it in a small jewellery pouch made of soft material like velvet or silk.

Practicality

There are several practical reasons why someone might choose never to take off their wedding ring. For one, it ensures that you always know where it is and don't misplace or lose it. Some people may also be superstitious and fear that removing their wedding ring will bring bad luck to their marriage or children, or affect their health.

However, there are also practical reasons why you should take off your wedding ring at certain times. Firstly, it's important to consider the material of your ring and how it might be affected by certain activities. For example, gold and platinum rings are prone to bending, scratching, or dulling over time, so it's best to remove them when doing manual labour or exposing them to harsh chemicals such as cleaning products or hot tubs. Titanium rings, while more durable, should still be removed during intense sports, manual labour, or when working with abrasive substances.

Secondly, certain activities can pose a risk to your ring getting lost or damaged. For example, when doing the dishes, your ring could slip off and go down the drain, or it could get scratched or warped by hot water. Swimming in natural hot springs, pools, lakes, or the ocean can also affect your ring due to the minerals and chemicals in the water, and your fingers are more likely to shrink in cold water, making it easier for the ring to slide off. If you're cooking with raw meat or handling paint, food or paint could get stuck in the crevices of your ring, so it's best to remove it beforehand.

Thirdly, wearing a ring during certain activities can pose a safety risk to yourself. For example, if you're working with heavy machinery or power tools, your ring could get caught and cause injury to your finger, including severing, swelling, or gangrene. Similarly, contact sports can pose a risk of injury to yourself and others if your ring catches on something or someone.

Lastly, wearing a ring during certain activities can affect its overall appearance. For example, soap and shampoo can create a film on the ring, making it look dull and dirty. Skincare and grooming products can also get trapped in small crevices, making the ring difficult to clean.

Frequently asked questions