The short answer: on a beach holiday, take your ring off for swimming and sunbathing, keep it out of sand and sunscreen, and store it in a secure place such as a hotel safe or a zipped pouch. Cool water and warm hands make rings easy to lose.
Beaches are lovely and hard on jewellery. A few habits protect your ring.
Why beaches are risky
- Cold water shrinks fingers, so rings can slip off.
- Sand is abrasive and can scratch metal.
- Sunscreen leaves a film that dulls stones.
- Salt water can dry out and irritate skin.
- Rings are easy to lose in sand and sea.
Our advice
| Activity | Ring |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Take it off. |
| Sunbathing | Take it off to avoid tan lines and film. |
| Walks and dinners | Wear it, if you are comfortable. |
| Water sports | Leave it behind. |
Where to keep it
Use a hotel safe, a zipped bag in your hand luggage or a small travel case. Do not leave a ring on a towel or in a pocket. See travel storage for rings and our tips for travelling with fine jewellery.
Pools and hot tubs
Chlorine is harder on jewellery than salt water. Over time it can affect some gold alloys and dull the surface of softer stones, and hot tubs combine chlorine with heat. Take the ring off before the pool, and if it does get wet, rinse it in fresh water and dry it. Pearls, opals and emeralds need particular care around chemicals.
After the beach
- Rinse the ring in fresh water if it has been in salt.
- Clean with warm soapy water.
- Dry it well.
Swollen hands in the heat
Hands swell in warm weather. If a ring feels tight, take it off for a while and put it somewhere safe.
Sand and scratches
Sand is made of hard mineral grains, and some of them are harder than gold. A ring worn on a sandy beach can pick up fine scratches in minutes. Diamonds themselves resist scratching, but the metal around them does not, so a polished finish is the first thing to show wear. If that happens, our guide to polishing or replating explains how the finish can be refreshed.
A beach proposal
If you are planning to propose on a beach, keep the ring in a zipped pocket until the moment, kneel on dry sand rather than near the waterline, and have a plan for where it goes straight after. Our guide to protecting the ring at a beach or surf proposal has more practical tips.
Insurance
Check that your travel and home insurance cover your ring abroad. Speak to your insurer.
A different ring for holidays
Some people take a simple band for holidays and leave the engagement ring at home. If you are planning a wedding abroad, see our advice on wedding rings for destination weddings.
Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
See hand cream, sunscreen and the film on your ring and ring care checklist by season.
Frequently asked questions
Can diamonds go in the sea? They can, but the risk is losing the ring.
Will salt water harm gold? Rinsing and cleaning helps.
Is a swimming pool safer than the sea? Not for jewellery; chlorine can be harder on metal and softer stones.
Should I wear it on the plane? Many people do, to keep it safe.
Can I order a holiday band from overseas? Yes, by video consultation, with insured, tracked FedEx delivery.