Should I take my ring off for hand sanitiser, perfume and sunscreen?

ZKZ Editorial TeamMain answer · Product & gemmology desk

You do not need to take a ring off for every squirt of sanitiser, but products that leave a film, such as lotions, sunscreen and perfume, are worth keeping away from jewelry. Apply them first, let them dry, then put jewelry on. A buildup under a diamond dulls it, and some chemicals can affect silver and plated finishes.

What the care guides say

Fact IGI says sweat, skin oils, soap and dust can change how light behaves in a diamond and mute its sparkle, and recommends wiping pieces before and after wear and cleaning them regularly.

Fact GIA says chemicals can damage or discolour precious metals, including silver, and that everyday products such as hairspray, lotion, perfume and cosmetics can contain chemicals that damage the surface of pearls and other delicate stones. It advises removing fine jewelry before household cleaners and chlorinated pools.

Fact IGI advises removing jewelry when working with household cleaning products.

What this means for each product

• Hand sanitiser. It is not named in the guides above. A brief contact is unlikely to harm a diamond, but gel residue can collect around prongs and dull the stone. On plated silver, repeated exposure may wear the finish faster, though we cannot give a figure.
• Lotions and hand cream. They leave oils that make a diamond look dull and can collect under the setting. Apply the cream, wait until it is absorbed, then put the ring on.
• Sunscreen. It leaves a film, and some products contain chemicals that can stain. Apply it first and wash your hands before wearing jewelry.
• Perfume and hairspray. Spray before dressing, so the mist does not land on jewelry. GIA specifically warns about perfume and hairspray.

A practical routine

1. Put on creams, sunscreen and perfume first, then add jewelry once it is dry.
2. Wipe rings with a soft cloth at the end of the day.
3. Clean the ring at home once a week, or more often if you use many products, with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush.
4. If you use sanitiser a lot, check the ring for residue around the stone.
5. Remove jewelry for deep cleaning and swimming.

Uncertain There is little published testing of specific brands of sanitiser or sunscreen on silver and plating, so these recommendations are cautious, not exact. If you notice dark patches or a dulling finish, change your routine.

It depends How much you need to change depends on how much you use and how much you value the finish.

Related reading: Caring for 925 Sterling Silver Jewelry with Lab Grown Diamond Settings · Rhodium Plating on Silver Jewelry: What It Does and How Long It Lasts

Sources

• IGI, Never do this with your jewelry
• GIA, Tips on caring for jewelry

Fact = stated by the cited source. Our advice = editorial recommendation. Uncertain / it depends = limits of what can be said in general.