How can I prevent my rings getting stuck?

This week alone, I've had to cut four rings off people's fingers, and I already have two more appointments scheduled for tomorrow.

Unfortunately, this isn't unusual.

If there's one piece of jewelry advice I wish everyone would take to heart, it's this: Take your rings off once a week. Not because you need to clean them (although that's a good idea, too). Do it simply to prove to yourself that you still can. You'd be surprised how many people tell me, "I'm sure it'll come

off if I really need it." Then one day they discover it won't.

Your fingers change more than you think

Most people assume that if a ring has fit comfortably for years, it always will. But our bodies are constantly changing.

Finger size can fluctuate because of age, arthritis, medications, weight changes, injury, hot weather, exercise, or even just a long day working with your hands. Sometimes swelling comes and goes. Other times it's gradual enough that you don't even notice until the ring is suddenly much tighter than it used to be.

Most often, though, it's simply Father Time doing what he does.

Your ring doesn't shrink—but your finger changes little by little over the years.

Many people notice it's getting snug and tell themselves, "I'll deal with it later." Weeks turn into months, months turn into years, and before long that ring hasn't been off in ages.

When "later" becomes an emergency

The problem is that life doesn't always give you advance warning.

Sometimes a medical procedure requires all jewelry to be removed immediately. Other times an injury causes your finger to swell unexpectedly. I've also seen people who simply woke up one morning and realized the ring wasn't coming off anymore. That's when they end up walking through our doors. While we can safely cut most rings off when necessary, I promise you it's an experience nobody enjoys. It can be stressful, emotional, and sometimes painful. Many of these rings have tremendous sentimental value, making the situation even harder.

The good news is that it's almost always preventable.

A quick test today can save a lot of trouble tomorrow

Every week or two, take a minute to remove your rings.

If they slide off without much effort, great—you know everything is still fitting as it should.

If you notice they're becoming difficult to remove, don't wait until they won't come off at all.

Bring them to Williamsburg Jewelers while they're still removable. We can properly size your ring so it remains comfortable to wear and easy to remove when needed. That's a much simpler, less stressful solution than having to cut it off your finger later.

Sometimes the smallest habits make the biggest difference.

So here's my challenge for you: when you finish reading this, see if your rings still come off easily.

If they do, wonderful. If they don't, come see me before it becomes an emergency. I'd much rather resize your ring than have to cut it off your finger.