Franklin Dean
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has an intense phobia of jewellery, particularly metal jewellery, known as kosmemophobia. This posed a problem for his relationship with his then-girlfriend, Amy Reimann, as he did not want to wear a wedding ring. However, the couple solved this issue by partnering with Qalo, a company that makes silicone rings, to design a wedding band for Earnhardt. Earnhardt's unique wedding ring is made of wood, and he also wears Qalo rings, which he finds comfortable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Kannapolis, North Carolina |
| Parents | Brenda Lorraine Jackson and Dale Earnhardt |
| Spouse | Amy Reimann |
| Wedding Date | December 31, 2016 |
| Wedding Ring | Custom wooden ring |
| Occupation | Professional stock car racing driver, team owner, broadcaster |
| Notable Achievements | Won Daytona 500 in 2004, Won consecutive NASCAR Busch Series Championships in 1998 and 1999 |
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What You'll Learn
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s kosmemophobia
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has an intense fear of jewelry, known as kosmemophobia. This phobia is so debilitating that it posed a problem for his marriage to his wife, Amy. Earnhardt has described his phobia as feeling grossed out by jewelry, in the same way that some people feel about spiders. He has stated that he doesn't like wearing jewelry or even being close to it.
Earnhardt's fear of jewelry became a notable topic during his relationship with his now-wife, Amy Reimann. In 2015, Earnhardt revealed that his jewelry phobia was the "biggest holdup" for him getting married. Despite facing pressure from the public and media to propose, Earnhardt was honest about his phobia and left the decision to his partner.
Earnhardt explained that he had been open with Reimann about his phobia and allowed her to choose how to approach it. He emphasized that he would not hold her back from wearing jewelry if she chose to. The couple ultimately decided to partner with Qalo, a company that creates specialized silicone rings, to design a wedding ring for Earnhardt.
Earnhardt's unique wedding ring is made of wood, which he chooses not to wear often to avoid scratches or breakage. Instead, he opts for the more comfortable Qalo rings in his daily life. The company specializes in creating jewelry from unconventional materials, providing a solution for individuals like Earnhardt who struggle with traditional metal jewelry.
Kosmemophobia is a real and uncommon fear, with sufferers expressing feelings of revulsion and discomfort when thinking about or being near jewelry. While some people may find it unusual, kosmemophobia can be a serious and debilitating phobia, impacting important life events such as weddings. Earnhardt's openness about his phobia has helped bring awareness and understanding to this unique fear.
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His wooden wedding ring
NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has a fear of jewellery, or kosmemophobia. This posed a problem when he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, Amy Reimann, as traditionally, an engagement ring is given. However, Earnhardt was open to finding a solution, stating that he would “have to put up with” wearing a ring, but that he wouldn't be "held accountable" for it.
When it came to choosing a wedding ring, Earnhardt opted for something unique—a wooden wedding ring. Wooden wedding rings are a non-conventional choice that offers a connection to nature that metal rings can't provide. Each wooden ring has unique grain patterns, colour variations, and character derived from the trees they come from. The rings also tend to be lighter in weight than solid metal rings, making them more comfortable to wear.
Earnhardt's wooden ring may have been crafted from a variety of wood types, such as tropical koa wood or white oak from whiskey barrels. The use of natural, solid wood ensures the ring retains its beautiful wood grain pattern and stays strong. To care for his wooden ring, Earnhardt should keep it dry, avoid harsh chemicals, and occasionally buff it with a soft cloth or mineral oil to prevent the wood from drying out.
With his unique wooden wedding ring, Earnhardt found a solution that respected his jewellery phobia while also symbolising his commitment to his wife.
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His wife, Amy Reimann
Amy Reimann, now Amy Earnhardt, is the wife of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. The couple first met in 2009 when Dale Jr. hired her interior design firm to renovate his North Carolina home. Amy graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in interior design. She worked at Wakefield Beasley & Associates as a project coordinator before becoming the director of Micamy Design Studio's Charlotte location. Amy and Dale Jr. kept their relationship private for over two years before making their public debut. They got engaged six years after they started dating and tied the knot on December 31, 2016, at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina. The venue is owned by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress. Dale Jr. opted for a custom wooden wedding band to go with his and Amy's unique deal with a company that sells silicone rings, due to his kosmemophobia, or jewellery phobia. Amy was previously married to her college sweetheart, Tommy Cook, in 2008, but they divorced months later. Dale Jr. and Amy have two daughters together, Isla Rose, born in 2018, and Nicole Lorraine, born in October 2020. Their second daughter's name is a combination of Amy's middle name, Nicole, and Dale Jr.'s mother's name, Lorraine. In 2022, the couple created Hard Rock Vodka in partnership with Sugarlands Distilling Co., with whom they collaborated during Dale Jr.'s racing days.
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Their wedding
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Reimann tied the knot on December 31, 2016, at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina. The venue was owned by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, who had also owned Dale Jr.'s father's race car for several years. Dale Jr. and Amy's wedding ceremony was officiated by Motor Racing Outreach's Nick Terry, while T.J. Majors was Dale Jr.'s best man. The reception included a live band with NASCAR legends in attendance, including Danica Patrick, who caught the bouquet.
Dale Jr. and Amy first met through work, as Dale Jr. hired Amy's interior design firm to renovate his North Carolina home. They kept their relationship private for over two years before making their public debut. Dale Jr. proposed to Amy on June 17, 2015, while on vacation in Germany. He chose to propose in a 1,000-year-old church in the town of Speyer, where his tenth grandfather, Hamman Ehrenhart, had been baptised and wed.
Dale Jr. has been open about his jewellery phobia, or kosmemophobia, which is a fear of metal jewellery. He has explained that he doesn't like wearing jewellery or being close to it. Due to this phobia, he opted for a custom wooden wedding band, though he also wears silicone rings from the company Qalo, which creates specialised silicone rings that look and feel like high-quality rubber. Amy has respected his phobia and often opts for a jewellery-free appearance.
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Qalo, the company they partnered with
Qalo is a lifestyle brand founded on the principles of commitment and functionality, with marriage and family at the core of everything the brand does. The company was founded in 2012 (or 2013 according to some sources) by Ted Baker and KC Holiday, who were inspired to create a line of alternative wedding rings after finding themselves newly married but dissatisfied with their traditional wedding bands. Baker and Holiday wanted to create a ring that would allow them to represent their commitment while accommodating their active lifestyles.
Qalo is one of several companies that create rings and other jewellery from unconventional materials. Their products are made from medical-grade silicone and are designed to be scratch- and break-resistant. The company has become popular among athletes and celebrities, including NBA players LeBron James and Stephen Curry, NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr., MLB player Bryce Harper, pro surfer Shane Dorian, and country music star Jason Aldean. Qalo has also partnered with nonprofits, fire and rescue organisations, and professional athletes.
Qalo has experienced significant financial success, generating over $150 million in revenue through direct-to-consumer sales and partnerships with major retailers like Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, and REI. In 2018, Qalo welcomed Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife, Amy, as official brand ambassadors. Earnhardt Jr., a well-known stock car driver and NASCAR analyst, suffers from kosmemophobia, a fear of jewellery, and has designed a line of silicone wedding rings with Qalo. The partnership between Qalo and the Earnhardts was a natural fit, as the brand's values of commitment and family aligned with the couple's love story and work ethic.
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Frequently asked questions
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a fear of jewellery, particularly metal jewellery, called kosmemophobia. He has had this phobia since he was young and it was exacerbated by his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, who used to terrorise him.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. opted for a custom wooden wedding band. He also wears Qalo rings, which are made of specialised silicon and designed to look and feel like high-quality rubber.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s wife is Amy Reimann. She studied at the University of Kentucky, where she was a cheerleader and graduated in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in interior design. They met when he hired her interior design firm to renovate his North Carolina home.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Reimann tied the knot on 31 December 2016 at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina.
