by Charlene Bobis
Losing an engagement or wedding ring—or heaven forbid, both—can be devastating, especially if one or both items are expensive. It can also lead to an argument with your spouse, precisely because these rings are meant to symbolize your commitment to each other. Here are a few tips for preventing such losses:
1. Carry a small pouch or box for storing your rings. Many department stores carry selections of small plastic boxes that you can use for this purpose. If the idea of adding bulk to your bag fazes you, designate a pocket of your bag for this purpose. Make this a habit, especially if you take your rings off due to swelling or work reasons; that way, you will always know where to look first when looking for your rings.
2. Take off and store your rings (and other jewelry) if you take public transportation. Don’t wear any jewelry in public; better safe than sorry. Rings—especially engagement rings—attract attention, and your safety is more important than the need to display them.
3. When doing housework or any other labor involving your hands, put your rings in your jewelry box or some other safe place on your dresser. Don’t just leave your rings in a convenient place like a sill or on the kitchen counter. They are small and thus extremely easy to forget or misplace.
4. Develop the habit of storing your rings in your desk drawer or in a pocket of your bag when you go to the toilet. So many women have lost rings this way. You never mean to knock them over, or for another woman to accidentally brush them with her hand—but the result is the same. Don’t store your rings in your jeans or slacks pockets; they can slip through small holes. Worse, if you enter a stall to do your business, they can roll out of your pockets and into the toilet—where you’ll flush them before you realize what you’re doing.
5. If your rings fit poorly, fix the problem! No excuses. You can have them resized if they’re too small for the correct finger. For those with large rings, a stopgap measure is to buy a Ring Snug, clear silicone or rubber pads that help hold your ring in place. They’re available at high-end hardware stores.
6. Be conscious of the “loss hotspots” for wedding and engagement rings. The most common places where people report losing their rings are bathroom sinks; beaches (loose rings slip off because your skin can shrink in salt water); the gym; and your work desk.
