You know that panicky moment after you’ve left the house, and something just feels… off… and then you realize the reason why is because your ring isn’t on your finger?

If you’re new to the whole wearing-a-ring life and you haven’t experienced this, chances are, you will.

Your hands move to pat down all your pockets while your brain moves through all the places you could have possibly left it (and imagining with horror the reaction of your significant other) while simultaneously attempting to send messages down to your heart to calm down; your ring may be the reminding symbol of your love and devotion to the most important person in your life, but a heart attack would not be ideal right now so for the LOVE stop PANICKING!

We get it. We’ve all been there.

Owning precious jewelry may feel daunting to some, but we at FORGE are committed to helping our ring-wearing friends navigate this space stress-free.

Read on for our tips on when you should remove your wedding ring & tricks for never losing your ring (or your cool) again:

When you should remove your wedding ring:

Our friends over at VALINA said it best when they said, “Your engagement ring and wedding band…is figuratively and literally precious.” It makes sense that special care and attention are given to these pieces, and that we take careful care to avoid stressing or damaging them.

Take your ring off if…

… you are going to sweat

Your ring is a perfect fit – both to your finger and personality. But even a perfectly tailored ring can slip if your finger gets wet. Strenuous, sweat inducing activities such as cardio class, hiking, sports, gym time and dancing can cause your ring to fall off. Retracing your steps on the hiking trail is not how you want to spend your afternoon. We recommend leaving your precious jewelry at home.

… you are going to get wet

We love watersports and beach days, too, so please – feel free to take to the lake! Just remember that not only is your ring more likely to slip off when wet (see above), because of its reflective nature, it also becomes very hard to see when submerged. Fingers also tend to shrink when cold, making it even easier for a ring to slip off unnoticed (just ask my husband)!

… you are going to get dirty

Dirt particulates have a way of sneaking into tiny cervices (ever cleaned out the charging dock of your phone?). Dirt particulates also have a way of being corrosive. Protect the pure and vibrant shine of your ring by taking it off if you are going to wash the dishes, your car, your dog, your floor, etc. Take it off if you are going to throw pottery, garden, work in the shop, etc. Take it off if you are gearing up to give yourself that facial (beauty products can be corrosive and/or cause build-up as well).

… you are going to sleep

Yes – sleeping can be hard on your jewelry! Just like necklaces or bracelets, rings can catch in the tiny fibers of your pillow or your sheets. You could wake up to a snag in your favorite blanket, or worse! A bent prong and a missing stone! So make jewelry removal a part of your bedtime routine and put your jewelry to rest in its designated safe place while you catch your zzz’s.

Tricks for never losing your ring (and your cool) again:

At home:

Have more than one designated jewelry spot! It’s easy to put your ring away in a safe place when it’s time for bed and you’re in wind-down mode. But when you have five minutes and decide to whip through the dishes, it helps a great deal to have a place you can consistently and safely put your ring. Having a ring spot in the kitchen has proven to be useful and a stress-saver! We recommend a place far away from the sink (and disposal!) and a place that won’t be knocked into or toppled over.

While traveling:

When traveling, you could find a designated place in your Airbnb to put your ring when you’re heading to the beach, the trail, or to bed. But this can be risky because unless you are traveling by yourself, it can be moved. Or easily forgotten in the chaos of the end-of-trip pack-up. We recommend a soft jewelry pouch or protective box (your ring likely came in one!) that you can keep in something that will for sure be coming home with you. My personal favorite is the inside pocket of my toiletry bag. I slip my ring in there when its’ time for bed or if I’m hitting the slopes. I can even lock the bag for added peace of mind.

Your literally and figuratively precious jewelry can be enjoyed forever! Knowing how to treat your fine pieces with dignity and care will ensure that this is the case; and will allow you to enjoy your experience with owning fine jewelry worry free.