OT: Wear rings when cooking?

[gertdog]

So here's my question. I got engaged earlier this year, and I have a very pretty ring. I wear it every day, but I take it off to sleep, when I cook and clean, and when I play softball. This is the first ring I've ever worn regularly... I'm not a big jewelery person.

Recently my future MIL was over, and I was doing dishes in the kitchen. She was absolutely shocked to see my ring sitting in a little wood box (that I placed there specifically so that I'd have a safe place for the ring). She said she'd never, ever taken hers off, except when she was pregnant, and I shouldn't either.

I asked two of my married friends and they also said that they NEVER take off their rings. I'm starting to feel that there's some unwritten rule I've broken!

So I'm just wondering... do any other cooks out there take off your engagement, wedding, or other special rings when you cook and clean? Or do I need to correct my faux pas? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[donleyk]

I take mine off to do most everything... cook, sleep, golf. My mom was surprised at this also. I decided I didn't care. I don't want to worry about the wear and tear on it.

[Laura B]

I always take mine off to sleep, shower, clean, and cook. I do not want to harm them in any way, so I always remove them. When I first got engaged, I never removed my engagement ring for about a year. But that soon changed as the novelty of it wore off and the worries about damaging it set in. I also did not cook and clean very much before I got married, so that affected how much I wore it, too.

[debg]

gertdog,
I think you should do whatever pleases you and that's that. As for me, I take my rings off when I sleep (somehow I get an alergic reaction if I don't) and only SOMETIMES when I cook. Last night I made a bar cookie recipe where you have to work the dough with your fingers and I took my rings off. Otherwise they stay on for most everything else. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Congratulations on your engagement!

[SQ]

Mine stay on all the time - for all activities. No damage has been done in 15 years. But I agree with debg. Do what you're comfortable with. I also think you do a smart thing by putting your ring in a special (safe) place when you do take it off.

[klindeman]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I also take off my wedding ring sometimes when I'm cooking, particularly if it is something messy like kneading bread or cutting chicken. It just seems easier to get my hands really clean afterwards.

[SandyM]

I sleep and shower with mine on, but when I cook, off they come. DH takes his off when he showers.

I was the same as Laura - after I was engaged, I never took it off for the first year or so.

Off topic a little - I was in charge of setting up a golf outing at work 2 years after we were married. We finished golfing, finished eating, and it was time to play volleyball. Not wanting to break my fingers or scratch anyone else, I took my rings off and put them in my shorts pocket.

After volleyball - you guessed it - the wedding ring was there, but the engagement ring was gone. GONE! We formed a human chain and searched the area where we played volleyball, but we didn't find it. My boss even gave me the next day off to come back and look.

Never found it. But that tought me a valuable lesson. If I do take them off, I put them in a very secure, stable place!

The good part - it took 10 years, but I got a replacement!

[This message has been edited by SandyM (edited 06-19-2001).]

[lorilei]

Well, I'd have to say I'm one of the careless ones who wears her wedding/engagement rings 24/7.

a) I don't even know if I could /get/ them off at this juncture

b) I feel naked without them -- I don't think of my wedding ring as jewelery as much as a part of my "self", so it's hard to imagine being without it

I completely think this is an entirely personal decision, so definitely don't feel weird about your preferences. I know some people might assume that I'm carelessly ruining a good "piece of jewelery"... but I just don't see it that way.

[Mamasue]

The only time I remove mine is when I clean it; working with dough or messy cooking recipes that require hands on; when I apply hand cream or body lotion; cleaning with bleach and other harsh cleaners. Otherwise, my wedding band with diamonds is on me at all times.

[Jewel]

Chalk up another vote for 24/7! I've gotten sticky dough in the ring, but that just gives me a good excuse to take it off for a few minutes and drop it into the cleaner and take a brush to it, or to hold it with a pair of tongs over the steam in my teakettle (superior clean!) I'm like lorilei, I feel naked without it! My engagement and wedding ring are soldered together, so they're one unit. I take it off for jobs like painting the house, but that's rare! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif The only other ring I wear is a sapphire/diamond ring on the third finger of my right hand, and that's on the same amount of time.

We were married in October of 1999. In February 99 when we got engaged, we bought my set, and my husband's wedding band. I naturally wore the engagement ring portion, but stored the wedding ring along with HIS wedding band in my jewelry box on the top shelf of our closet. We were burglarized two months before the wedding, and they got both rings! Here I was with one half of a custom made set! Thank Heaven we noticed in time to do something about it, and the insurance paid for both. I had to give me engagement ring up to the jeweler for nearly 3 weeks so they could make a wedding ring a 'perfect fit'. I felt so naked I had to buy a 'fakey' at Nordstrom for $30 to wear in place of my engagement ring for that three weeks! We were able to buy DH's replacement ring with the insurance money also, but I think that 'ring trauma' scarred me a bit and I don't like to take it off.

DH, on the other hand, never wore a ring before he was married at age 39. The only time he takes his off is when he's painting or when he's under the hood of either of our vehicles, and even then I have him trained to drop it into the cleaner while he's not wearing it! That way we know exactly where it is! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Chefzhat]

Here a little different take - I have a beautiful diamond that I wear with my wedding band almost 24/7 in the wintertime, but during the summer I have a different band with saphires to wear that is 1/2 size bigger because my hands swell in the heat. I wear my diamond on special occasions during the summer. We have a pool, and camp a lot and I just don't lead the "diamond" life during summer months.
You should do your own thing, I guess is the point of this story - and tell MIL to bake some cookies! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[luv2cook]

We're weird in the sense that we have 2 sets of rings. We have our going out, everyday rings and our working outside/working out rings. Our workout rings consist of two gold comfort bands. I, unforunately, lost my comfort band in Vegas but at least they're cheap to replace.

I do take my rings off when I get home. Dh sometimes does, sometimes doesn't. It depends if he's wearing the good ring or not. I got in the habit when I lived in an area where robbery was a problem. I got in the habit of taking off all jewlery the minute I got home.

If you DON'T have your jewelry insured, do it NOW. it doesn't cost that much and you can get a replacement ring very quickly. We made one claim and we got the check in two weeks.

(DH put his good ring in the pocket of his workout short and then did ab work) Think ya'll can figure out the rest...duh.

[Grace]

I never take my ring off, except to clean it. No chance of losing it that way, plus I feel "naked" without it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[joyous]

Back when I was married, I never took it off, because I'm too disorganized to have a "special place" to put it in. But mine was a thin plain silver band, and was easy to clean when it got icky.

[Vanessa]

My diamond ring is inside a ring guard (which is my wedding ring). I liked the so I would not have to put two rings on just one (since one goes inside the other). I have a wedding band just like my husband which was also blessed by the priest and I use the band as a more cassual ring. To be honest in the summer months with this heat and humidity, gardening etc I could go a few days without a ring.
I don't like wearing my diamond ring doing dishes, bathing etc as soap residus accumulate and build up. I think it all depends on your likes. Every once in a while check your ring prones to see your diamond is secure etc.

[kirkbyky]

I almost always wear my wedding ring, but take off my engagement ring when I'm doing messy stuff (kneaded pizza dough last night)
I had my wedding ring resized last week & it was weird not having it on.

[Curleytop]

I have very nice wedding and engagement rings. BUT, I like wearing my wedding ring all the time, so my DH bought me a nice gold ring, not a plain one just no stones, many year ago, and I wear it all the time.

[Julia1Pin]

I've actually been thinking about this topic alot lately.

I got engaged last November, and married April 28th.

I wear my engagement ring, and my two wedding bands (one on each side of the engagement ring) all the time. I take them off for a minute or so, every couple of days, just to massage my finger (I have TINY hands, and the rings take up almost half of me finger, from the knuckle down).

About 1.5 years ago, I was doing an audit (yes, I'm an accountant) at a diamond/jewelry importer, and was told NEVER, EVER, to shower with rings because of all the dirt build up. So, I take off all my other jewelry when I shower, but never my wedding rings. Maybe it's because it's new, but I feel wierd taking them off for any period of time. I know I should, for the sake of the diamond, but I guess I don't care if the value decreases, since I planning on wearing it for life anyways.

Both my DH and I sleep with our rings on. And I have to say, I'm proud of him. He had never worn a ring before, and he has gotten used to wearing his (or at least doesn't complain about it) pretty well.

Gertdog - do whatever you want. MIL's are notorious for making mountains out of mo-hills (even though I love my MIL very much).

This site was posted a while ago, by a BB member, and some of you might like to check it out:
www.motherinlawstories.com (http://www.motherinlawstories.com)

[KathrynY]

I'm another one who doesn't wear rings when cooking, cleaning, bathing, gardening, or sleeping. I just don't like getting them wet and/or dirty. But of course it's purely a matter of personal preference, whatever works best for you.

Julia1Pin - I have a wedding band on either side of my engagement ring too! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Got the idea from my MIL and liked the "symmetrical" look.

An additional note to luv2cook's advice about insuring your rings - periodically have them (and all valuables) reappraised. I had not thought about this until my insurance agent mentioned it. If your last appraisal was 20 years ago and you lose your diamond today, you probably won't be able to buy a comparable replacement with the settlement.

[aggie94]

I wear my rings when I'm out, but around the house, I generally have them off, especially for cooking, cleaning, exercising, gardening, sleeping, showering, etc. I also take them off when I wash my hands or apply lotion, no matter where I am. I have this weird aversion to getting slimy stuff under the band, so I just remove them. My biggest fear is leaving them next to the sink in a restaurant bathroom or somewhere like that, but so far I've been OK.

[Pat]

I am another one who only wears jewelry when I am going out or entertaining at home (sometimes not even then if I am cooking). The main reason is that the engagement ring is an antique passed down through my husband's family. It literally cannot be replaced. If I lost it or damaged it, I and DH would be quite upset. I know insurance would replace it, but it would not be the same.

[LGBurns]

I only have a wedding band (no engagement ring), but it is very intricately carved so it gets gook in it easily. I take it off to shower, put on lotion, or if I'm doing something particularly messy (like kneading dough--which doesn't happen very often). However, I do wear gloves to wash dishes, clean and garden so I figure my ring is protected, and since it isn't diamond it does fine under gloves. But to the bigger question of what you should do--it's completely up to you. Your MIL has her way of doing things and you have yours; you're both going to have to learn to live with the differences (sage advice from a woman with 1 whole year of experience at marriage http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ).

[gertdog]

Wow! I posted my question and then went away for a day of meetings... so many responses!

Well, I definitely don't feel like I've broken any rules now, as it's clear from everyone's responses that just about anything goes... thank you all!

Susan, thanks for asking about my wedding! There's not much to tell yet. We're planning to be married in July of next year (a longer wait than we wanted but that's when all the various family calendars are free!) in California. We live in New York, but I grew up in CA and my parents have a lovely home on the coast there. My mom is doing most of the research on locations etc. right now... we will pin down the date and location quite soon, then plan from there! I'll keep you posted... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Jogren]

I wear mine during the weekdays, but rarely on the weekends. I never wear them during any sporting events (like skiing, river rafting, etc.). That's just dangerous, not only for losing them but the ring can get caught on equipment. And I never wear mine to bed (too many snagged blankets). Some of my 24/7 friends find it strange, but I feel that the ring is a symbol, in my heart I know I'm married, so why risk losing the ring or have it damaged. I have to admit though, occaisonally I have forgotten to wear it to work and when that happens I feel naked. My DH lost 40 lbs. recently and doesn't wear his much because it keeps falling off. One time it almost fell off into a river from a bridge!

[laughsandlaughs]

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif Rolling eyes at your MIL!! Sounds like something mine would say.

My ring sits up pretty high and I have seen it dipped in sour cream, etc more times than I'd like to remember. I also get sick and tired of cleaning soap scum off it from showering, lots of handwashing, etc, so I take off my ring now to take baths, or showers and sometimes when I cook and sometimes when I sleep (like I said, it sits up high and I get tired of waking up with ring dents in my face!) So just do what you want. When I first got it I thought I wasn't ever supposed to take it off, but soon got over that impracticality!!

[ABB]

I'm not much for sporting bread dough or other food items on my rings (my diamond sits pretty high) so I usually take my diamond off. I don't take my band off unless I'm doing something really messy. That's one reason I didn't have mine soldered together. Both rings were custom made but I have them insured so I'm not terribly worried about losing it although I ONLY take it off at home.

[KathrynY]

BosunsWife - I feel the same way that you do about my "smallish" diamond. DH graded papers in college for 6 months in order to purchase my engagement ring. I treasure it, and would never trade it for a larger, more impressive model. However, if he were to decide I need a nice diamond ring for the OTHER hand.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Laura B]

All of this discussion reminded me of a time I thought I had lost my engagement ring. I still take it and my wedding band off all the time (see my post above) but I am very careful to make sure they are put somewhere safe when I do remove them.

I was in a hotel in L.A. (overnight layover after missing my flight to Sydney) and had until 11 pm the following day to wait for the next flight. So, I pulled out my laptop and started taking some notes from a taped lecture series (nerdy law student that I am). I can vivdly remember taking off my engagement ring and putting it beside my computer on the foot rest of the chair in which I was sitting. It was bothering me, so I figured I would take it off and not wear it on the plane because of swelling, etc. I was on the shuttle to the airport when I suddenly could not remember ever putting it in my jewelry case. All I remembered was taking it off and putting it beside my computer. I had visions of it having fallen to the floor and forgotten (even though I tried to tell myself that I would have heard it fall, it is a pretty big ring (emerald not diamond so we could afford bigger)). My heart started racing, my face was all flushed. I asked the shuttle driver to wait for me to check my bag before he drove away so that he could take me right back to the hotel if I had forgotten it. But he would not wait; he said he would be back around in 30 minutes. That scared me because all I could picture was housekeeping finding my ring before I got back and then being unable to track it down. My hands were shaking as I opened my suitcase, but luckily the ring was in there! I am EXTRA careful to remember where I am taking it off now. Of course, when I told my husband, he simply said he would have gotten me another one no matter how much it hurt financially to do so. That is a sweet sentiment, but I sure am glad he did not have to! I absolutely love my ring.

In fact, maybe it was because of this thread and all of the people who do not take theirs off, I noticed that I kept my rings on while cooking and washing up tonight. Hmmm.

[DanaSD]

I recently became engaged in April and I have a related question - How do I clean my ring. I wear it 24/7 and there is so much soap build up on the band and sides of the diamond so now it doesn't sparkle like it used to. Please advise...

[schuh]

I take mine off when cooking, showering, sleeping. Actually, they annoy me as I need to have them resized -- they are too big as I lost some weight -- so I also take them off for any situation in which they might fall off (swimming, etc.) Sometimes I forget to put them back on and I actually go out in public sans rings! It doesn't mean I love my husband any less...

[LaraW]

I usually wear my rings, but take them off to clean the house (like scrub the bathtub, etc) and when I am putting my hand in anything yucky. I have visions of my ring falling off my finger and going down and getting caught in the garbage disposal.

I also take off my rings/jewelry when I work out. My fingers swell and makes them very uncomfortable to wear. Other than those times, I pretty much wear them all the time. My wedding ring and engagement ring are soldered together, so I don't wear one without the other.

[laughsandlaughs]

I clean my ring one of 4 ways!

1. Very best....get a jeweler to steam clean it. Any store will do it for free in just a moment, especially if you try some other jewelry on, which is fun too!!

2. Get some of that jewelry cleaner at the store and soak your ring in it for a few minutes and then brush with a wet (obviously old) toothbrush.

3. I think Windex works just as well as the jewelry cleaner. I will sometimes, very carefully let it soak in a bit of window cleaner (so vinegar or ammonia would probably work as well) and then brush off or just spray some on and brush off.

4. Toothpaste!! I'm not making this up. It's a wellknown jewelry cleaner. Just put some on the old toothbrush (helps if this is a little damp) and then brush, brush, brush. It really does make it sparkle.

I alternate between these, but the best one is the jeweler, as my platinum sparkles the most then. I've heard stories of diamond switching, but as I go to reputable stores and mine is set in platinum with an engraving, don't think they could swing that in a minute!! I think that happens more with resettings, etc.



[This message has been edited by laughsandlaughs (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Gail]

Fascinating. (she said, raising an eyebrow, feeling curiously Spocklike in the process.)

Yet another of those topics where I get to be the person who doesn't relate to any of this. Frankly, I hate jewelry-- always have, always will. I own a watch; I wear a wedding band. Period. Insofar as taking the band off in the kitchen, it'd probably be easier to lose a finger than the ring! Probably I've taken the thing off a total of six times in the nearly 18 years we've been married (the ring, that is-- not the finger) and it's no easy task.

I say, do whatever feels right to you-- ultimately that's all that really matters.

[CheerLiz]

I'm definitely a 24/7 girl, but only because I'm afraid I'd lose it if I ever took it off.

When my husband proposed 5 years ago, we were on a beach at midnight in Santa Barbara. He took the box out, showed me the ring, and wouldn't even GIVE it to me until we were on safe pavment under a light. He was sure I'd drop it and lose it in the sand! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Needless to say, if I ever took it off I'd forget where I left it and wouldn't notice it was missing for a long time. Maybe that's why we don't have kids yet...I'd forget them at the market or something and not notice until he came home that night. Teehee!

BTW, how many DHs out there actually do wear rings? Mine doesn't and it doesn't bother me a bit. When we got married the deal was that I didn't want to change my name and he didn't want to wear a ring...some compromises are strange, eh?! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[munchies]

Well, I must say that I wear my ring most of the time (my eng. and wedding ring are also soldered together). I do take it off when I am cooking certain things, like meatloaf or cutting up chicken. I also take it off after I shower to put on lotion, etc. I find that helps keep it a little cleaner.

Hey, Jewel, what a great idea to hold it over the teakettle. Then I can get that sparkly clean just like from the jeweler! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[BosunsWife]

Well, I wear mine 24/7 and have only had it/them off twice, once to have the engagement ring appraised for insurance purposes and the second time during mine 9th month of pregancy.

I have mine checked about once a year (maybe LOL) and have never had any problems with the settings, etc.

Its kind of ironic, since when DH and I got engaged, I told him I wasn't hung up on the diamond thing and I didn't want him to go in debt for a diamond. If anyone is military, a first class in the CG doesn't make a lot of money LOL! We compromised and paid cash for a tiny diamond. He promises me when we can afford it we will upgrade. I have kind of become attached to my little stone and don't think that I can ever part with it. I'd much rather have a really nice engraved wide gold band (I have very long fingers and ((I hate to admit it)) larger hands).

[funnybone]

I take mine off at night and I put it on after I shower in the morning. For messy jobs, its off, but I usually keep it on otherwise. Oh, I tend to take it off when I work out at home as well.

When I was pregnant, I retained water and wasn't able to wear them on my ring finger, so I wore them on my pinky. Seems dumb now, but I didn't want anyone to think I was pregnant and not married. Hey, maybe I should tell this story in the "anal" thread. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusanMac]

Gosh, this was a surprisingly active topic. I definitely don't recommend soldering (sp?) your engagement & wedding rings, as you can easily take the engagement ring off, but still "be married." I tease DH whenever he's "single" (he takes it off to run, work in the yard, etc.)

Gertdog -- on to new, fun topics. Tell us about your wedding plans!! When is it? Where? Are you planning it yourself? Doing anything unique?

[CheerLiz]

My grandpa is a chemical engineer and cleans my rings every time I visit him. He swears by a little bit of ammonia with some liquid soap in it -- soak the ring in the mixture for 5 minutes or so then take it out and scrub it with an old toothbrush and rinse it well with cool water. They sparkle like anything when he gets done with them, but I can't help but think it's becasue there's a little bit of love mixed in there, too.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kwormann]

I also NEVER took mine off during engagement and the first year of marriage, but now take it off to sleep, lotion, etc.

A cute side story, some of you mention your DH having to adjust to wearing his band....my cute DH wore his while we were engaged on his other hand. Of course, girls at the fraternity house thought it was sooooo cute and sweet.....hmmmmm....ulterier motives on his part???

[Laura B]

Kim, my husband did that too! When we got our rings a month or so before we got married, he decided to start wearing his on his other hand. I told him he shouldn't, but he insisted and said that it was special to him and that he didn't want to wait to wear it. He is a sweetie.

[This message has been edited by Laura B (edited 06-20-2001).]

[SusanT]

I also wear my rings 24/7. I find that cleaning it using a little baking soda and a toothbrush works really well for cleaning it. I don't worry about damage, because after all diamonds are the hardest mineral in the world.

Like Bonuswife, my center stone is fairly small but it's an antique set with diamonds accross the wedding band and two smaller diamonds on either side of the engagement ring stone. My husband kept asking if I wanted a larger stone, but I love what I have and have received many compliments on my rings. I find the idea of "upgrading" an engagement ring a little bizarre.