TCC x Ring Bandit from The Clear Cut on Vimeo.

Advice from diamond expert Olivia Landau, Founder and CEO of THE CLEAR CUT 

When you receive an engagement ring, you do everything you can to keep it as safe and stunning as it was when you got it. There are so many unanswered questions out there on what the best methods are for wearing/not wearing your engagement and wedding rings. We had an amazing opportunity to interview diamond expert and founder of The Clear Cut, Olivia Landau and she had all the ring safety answers you're looking for! 

Read on to learn the best ways you can keep your rings safe, secure and sparkling! Be sure to visit The Clear Cut, to check out our newest Clear Cut Bandit designs! 

Bandits are the perfect solution to so many of your Ring Safety problems. When you have a specific place for your rings to go that is reliable and safe, you are able to keep them from getting lost, stolen or damaged. That sick feeling of losing your wedding rings should be no more. It's about the little things, like keeping your rings safe and on you at all times that make such a difference! We all need one less thing to worry about. Do what you do with Bandits. 

What activities should I avoid wearing my ring?

• Exercising

• Anything involving heavy lifting (weight lifting, moving furniture, etc)

• Anything that could get your ring very dirty (gardening, some types of cooking)

• Anything where your ring could take an impact (rock climbing)

Can my ring get wet? (showering, swimming in the pool or ocean?) 

• Your ring can get wet, showering is completely fine as long as you’re mindful of it especially while washing your hair!

• I would not recommend going in the pool or ocean with your ring on, given the chance that it could fall off or become damaged if you hit your hand on something

Should I sleep with my ring on? 

• This is up to personal preference! If it’s comfortable for you and as long as your ring isn’t loose on your finger, this is totally fine to do. If you’re a restless sleeper, this would be a bit riskier in case you hit your hand on something or even take it off in your sleep and lose it. Your fingers can also swell in your sleep.

Is ring insurance necessary?

• I highly recommend ring insurance! It’s always good to have peace of mind knowing that if something were to happen to your ring you are covered. 
• I recommend either using Jeweler’s Mutual or a home or rental insurance policy that will allow you to add your ring onto your existing plan.

How much does it typically cost to fix a damaged ring/replace a lost ring without ring insurance?

• For a damaged ring - this can completely depend on the level of damage, whether the damage is to the stone itself or confined to the setting, and exactly how you would like to move forward with your ring.
• To replace a ring without ring insurance, you will likely have to pay for the entire cost of the new ring. 

How often do you see damaged rings? What is the main cause of the damage? 

• We don’t see damaged rings too often. But when we do, the cause of the damage is usually from the ring taking a hard hit, or from doing a type of activity that we’d recommend against while wearing the ring i.e. weight lifting. 

What percentage of men and women lose their ring each year?

• Men actually tend to lose their rings more often than women! This could be due to the fact that they are less accustomed to wearing rings in general, but that is just a speculation. 

Where are the most common places/activities to lose a wedding ring?

• Any activity involving a lot of movement where your ring could slip off your finger without you realizing. 

• It is especially important to keep this in mind for cold weather activities when your ring may be slightly less snug than it normally is due to the cold. 

• Be careful when taking off gloves!

• Many men actually lose their wedding band on their honeymoon! If the ring is feeling a bit loose and they go into the ocean or water it can slip right off.

How often should I take my ring in to be cleaned and inspected?

• I always recommend having your ring cleaned and inspected about every 18 months. However, if something seems off, it’s always a good idea to get it checked!

Can I clean my ring at home? How?

• Yes! The best and simplest way to clean your ring at home would be to fill a bowl with warm water and a squeeze of dish soap, then soak your ring in there and scrub with a clean toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies of your ring. Then rinse in a bowl of warm water (without soap) and set to dry on a clean paper towel.

What should I do if a diamond falls out?

• It’s always good to contact the jeweler who you initially purchased the ring from and they can help lead you in the right direction. As a general rule there are two categories:
• A center stone or side stone falls out and i lost: contact your insurance company to see what amount will be covered under your plan to put toward a new stone.
• A pave diamond falls out: contact the jeweler who made the ring - most jewelers will replace pave diamonds for little or no cost depending on the situation.

Can my ring be resized if it is too big or too small?

• Yes! This is generally a fairly simple process and the best thing to do is contact the jeweler who sold you the ring to see what their resizing policy is.