Below we explore the everyday situations where it’s best to take your ring off, and why these moments matter.

Sleeping: Did you know your head (or most) is the weight of a bowling ball? When you sleep, even what feels like the lightest contact can exert pressure on your ring. The weight and movement of your hand and, by extension, your ring is enough over time to subtly bend the shank, basket or prongs of your setting. This can loosen gemstones or affect the alignment of your ring if left on night after night.

Taking your ring off before bed helps protect its structural integrity and ensures your stones remain secure.

Swimming: Cold water can cause your fingers to shrink, increasing the risk of your ring slipping off unnoticed. Meanwhile, chemicals in swimming pools, like chlorine, and salt in seawater can gradually erode metal and affect the durability of your rings’ setting.

Removing your ring before entering the water is a simple but effective step, it protects both your metal and gemstones, and prevents the risk of losing your ring without even noticing.

Cooking: Small, everyday actions may seem harmless, but repeated contact with hard surfaces such as bench tops, cookware and utensils, gradually places stress on your ring’s setting. Oils, grime and food residue can also accumulate beneath the gemstone, subtly dulling its lustre over time.

Removing your ring while cooking or baking ensures these everyday moments don’t compromise its shine or structural integrity.

Exercising: Activities like lifting weights or using gym equipment may seem harmless, but they can place unexpected pressure on your ring’s band and setting. Repeated contact with hard surfaces or equipment can subtly distort the shank, place stress on the prongs and loosen your gemstone over time.

To preserve your heirloom piece, it’s best to remove it before exercising, a small habit that safeguards your jewellery while you stay active.

Cleaning: Household cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can dull precious metals and affect gemstone settings with repeated exposure. Even everyday sprays, detergents and scrubbing motions increase wear on prongs and metal surfaces.

For this reason, we always recommend removing your ring before cleaning, whether you’re washing dishes, wiping surfaces or doing a deep clean, to prevent unnecessary wear and chemical contact.

Everyday activities may seem harmless, but cumulative wear and tear from impact, chemicals and environmental exposure can dull your ring’s sparkle and compromise its long-term integrity. By establishing the mindful habit of removing your ring when appropriate, you can rest assured that your piece will last a lifetime of love.

When your ring isn’t on your finger, we recommend placing it in a secure spot, like a soft pouch or your TMC ring box, to avoid accidental scratches or loss.

With everyday wear, exposure to beauty products, dirt, and natural oils may make your moissanite or lab-grown diamond engagement ring appear dull. This is completely normal and happens to all fine jewellery, but with regular cleaning, your heirloom piece will maintain its beauty, and brilliance, effortlessly.

What You’ll Need:

• Mild Dish Soap
• Hot Water
• Soft Toothbrush
• Polishing Cloth
• Paper Towel
• Small Bowl

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide:

1. Fill a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Stir gently to create a soapy solution.
2. Place your ring in the bowl and let it soak for a few minutes to loosen any buildup.
3. Using a soft toothbrush, gently scrub your moissanite or lab-grown diamond ring, focusing on all crevices, especially the underside of the centre stone where buildup accumulates.
4. Rinse your ring thoroughly under warm running water. The water pressure will help remove any remaining soap residue.
5. Pat your ring dry with a paper towel or microfibre cloth, then polish it gently with your TMC Fine Jewellers polishing cloth.

For best results, we recommend cleaning your ring weekly to maintain its brilliance.

Your precious ring is one of a kind, and one of the most effective ways to protect it is by arranging independent jewellery insurance. At TMC Fine Jewellers, we recommend Q Report Jewellery Insurance as a trusted provider for safeguarding your precious pieces. Insurance like this offers peace of mind, covering situations beyond the scope of our Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Please note that this information is provided as a guide. We encourage you to research and choose an insurance provider and policy that best suits your individual needs and financial circumstances.

We offer complimentary lifetime servicing and recommend you have your piece professionally cleaned once a year. While daily habits help minimise wear, professional care is another key part of preserving your ring. Included in this service, our jewellers will deep clean and  polish your piece as well as conduct a thorough inspection. If required, we will also re-tip your prongs to ensure they remain strong and secure. Rhodium plating is also offered at an additional cost and ensures your white gold ring retains its radiant and lustrous appearance.

To care for your cultured Keshi pearl jewellery at home, always opt for a gentle approach. Avoid soaking pearls, instead, lightly dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a drop of mild, chemical-free soap to gently wipe each pearl. Follow with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue, and lay flat to air dry. After each wear, a quick wipe with your TMC Polishing Cloth helps maintain their natural lustre.

Please note, pearl jewellery should not be included in regular cleaning routines involving soaps or water. Pearls are delicate and should never be submerged or exposed to chemicals, as this can damage their natural lustre and integrity.