How to Wear a Diamond Ring

Co-authored by Nicole Wegman

Last Updated: June 1, 2020 References

If you have a new diamond ring you can't wait to show off, you're probably wondering how and when you should wear it. There are a few things to consider when wearing a diamond ring so you can keep it in top condition and show it off according to your individual style and preferences.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Wearing Different Types of Diamond Rings

1
Wear traditional engagement and wedding rings on your left ring finger. Traditionally, an engagement ring is worn on your left-hand ring finger at the time of your engagement. Your wedding band is added onto that finger when you get married.^{[1]
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- Most people wear their wedding band on their finger below the engagement ring, symbolizing that it's closer to their heart.
- When wearing your engagement and wedding rings together, slide your wedding band onto your finger first, then your engagement ring after that.
2
Wear a promise ring on your left ring finger until you get engaged. Promise rings used to be a symbol of an upcoming engagement, but now that's not always the case. Typically a promise ring is a symbol of an exclusive relationship or love, though some people still wear them as a pre-engagement ring.^{[2]
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- Most people who get engaged after wearing a promise ring move it over to their right-hand ring finger at the time of their engagement.
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3
Wear right-hand diamond rings as symbols of independence. Many people who just love diamonds tend to wear them on their right hands, either on their ring finger or on any other finger, as a symbol of their personal success or celebration of single life.^{[3]
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- The "right-hand ring," worn on the right ring finger, became popular during Prohibition to symbolize financial success for single women.
- Today, people of all genders and couple statuses wear right-hand diamonds however they prefer.
4
Wear other jewelry of the same metal, or mix and match. Some people prefer to wear their diamond rings only with other matching metals, such as wearing all yellow gold or all white gold. Other people mix it up and wear different golds with silver, and different stones with their diamonds.^{[4]
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- There are no set rules when it comes to wearing diamond jewelry; find a style that fits you and wear your diamonds with your other jewelry however you want.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Protecting Your Ring

1
Clean your ring regularly. Dirt or oil buildups on your diamond interfere with how light hits the stone, so be sure to clean your ring regularly. Drop your diamond into a mug of warm water mixed with a few drops of dish detergent and allow your ring to soak overnight.^{[5]
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Research source} Or, if you prefer, soak your diamond for a few minutes in a jewelry cleaner that's safe for diamond and gold.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Nicole Wegman
Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- In the morning, gently scrub your diamond and the brackets with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and notice the new sparkles.
- Clean your ring about once a week. That way, you can remove any dirt, lotion, or oil that could build up on your ring, making it look dull.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nicole Wegman
  Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
2
Remove your ring when working out. Any exercise activities that require you to use your hands, such as lifting weights or cycling, risks bending your ring from pressure. If you bend the setting brackets of your ring, your diamond can fall out of the ring.^{[8]
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- Leave your diamond ring at home when heading to the gym, or bring a little ring box and lock it up in your gym locker.
3
Take your ring off when cooking. When you're cooking, bacteria from food can get lodged into your stone settings and you also risk losing your ring down the drain while rinsing food. ^{[9]
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- Place your ring in a safe place on the kitchen counter away from the sink and food, or in your jewelry box in your bedroom, while cooking.
4
Protect your ring when cleaning. During cleaning, you can bang your ring off of hard surfaces like the bathroom counters or expose them to harsh cleaning chemicals that aren't good for the stone.^{[10]
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- For the safest bet, place your ring in your jewelry box in your bedroom while you're cleaning.
- If you don't want to remove your ring while cleaning, wear rubber gloves to cover your ring.
5
Remove your ring before swimming. Both the salt of the ocean and harsh pool chemicals are bad for maintaining the quality of your ring; they can eat away at the metal and cause discoloration. In addition, being in cold water can cause your fingers to shrink, meaning your ring can slip off more easily and be lost forever.^{[11]
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- Keep your ring safely at home or in your hotel room if you're hitting the pool or the beach.
6
Take your ring off when moisturizing. Lotions will stick to your diamonds, making them look dull and lifeless over time.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Nicole Wegman
Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.} Remove your ring and place it in a safe place briefly while your apply moisturizer to your hands.^{[13]
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7
Leave your ring on when washing your hands in public places. Many people think they have to remove their diamond rings every time they wash their hands. However, it's easy to leave your ring on a bathroom sink in a restaurant or other public place. Or you could accidentally knock it down the drain! Don't remove your ring during a brief hand wash in a public restroom.^{[14]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How often should I clean my diamond ring?

Nicole Wegman
Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
Nicole Wegman is the Founder and CEO of Ring Concierge, a New York City-based fine jewelry brand. Specializing in engagement ring and wedding band trends, Ring Concierge creates a luxury experience catered towards millennials. Ring Concierge offers engagement rings along with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Nicole's work and Ring Concierge have been featured in Vogue, Glamour, Who What Wear, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and Cosmopolitan. Nicole is a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Accredited Jewelry Professional and holds a BS in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University.

Nicole Wegman

Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge

Expert Answer

Clean your ring about once a week with a jewelry cleaner that's safe for diamonds and gold. Gently scrub the ring with the brush that comes with your jewelry cleaner, or use a soft toothbrush if you don't have one, then rinse your ring under warm water. Oils and lotions tend to really stick to diamonds, making them look cloudy. The more often you clean it, the more brilliant your ring is going to look.

Warnings

If your ring needs deep cleaning or repairs, take it to a trusted local jeweler. That will be much safer and will give you better results than trying to fix the ring yourself.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Cory Schifter
Jeweler & Certified Jewelry Appraiser
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.}

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