When we married 51 years ago, I wore a plain wide wedding band similar to the ring pictured on the left. Many years later I developed a rash under the ring, which surprised me because I thought no one was allergic to gold. After asking around, I was told that the rash was probably from one of the alloy metals in the ring, the most likely culprit being nickel. Though it saddened me, I had to stop wearing the ring.
As a replacement I bought a thin gold band similar to the ring on the right, with the thought that it might not cause a rash, and indeed it did not. It wasn't the same as wearing the original ring, but it served its purpose for many years.
Then the other night I noticed that the knuckle on my ring finger hurt and was enlarged from arthritis. Yikes! I thought I'd better get the ring off before it had to be cut off. It was a struggle, but I finally was able to work the ring off.
Now what do I do? Shall I buy a larger ring to fit over the enlarged knuckle but will fit loosely at the base of my finger or just give up the idea of wearing a ring? I lean toward the idea of no ring.
Sigh...I really love the original.
UPDATE: The wedding band on a chain "close to my heart".
Wear the original on a chain around your neck. Just be careful where you leave it lying around.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like susan s.'s idea.
ReplyDeleteThat's a thought, but the ring is heavy. I'd have to buy a strong chain. I could warm up to that idea. Thanks, you two.
ReplyDeletelet me add my endorsement to the necklace idea. My mother did that with my grandmother's wedding ring after my grandmother's death, and it ended up being her most prized piece of jewelry. The jeweler did a complete reset of the diamond, and added a small gold hand inside the ring to make it look like the diamond was at the tip of a finger. It's in the safe deposit box now until I figure out what to do with it in my turn, since I have no wives or daughters to hand it on to.
DeleteWhen my Dad broke his finger and had to get his ring cut off, he put the repaired ring onto his right hand. Eerything assumed he was a German (they often wear wedding rings on the right there)
ReplyDeleteOw! :(
DeleteIT, that's what I'm hearing on Facebook. I'm minding a thread here and at FB. I could try the ring on the right hand.
ReplyDeleteWhat is "good" gold, Renz?
ReplyDeleteGrandmere, how about being a trend-setter and get a wedding band tattoo around your finger?
ReplyDeleteOr maybe just go for the necklace option. My eldest daughter wears my late mum's wedding band and engagement ring that way.
Acolyte of Sagan, one tattoo is enough, thank you. The necklace idea seems best.
DeleteHave you tried a band liner? A jeweler can put a thin film of plastic on the inside that will keep the metal off your skin - the liners do not last forever as they tend to come loose if you use your hands in water a lot with the ring on, but it may be a solution if the ring is not quite tight already.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to enlarge the wide band ring, and my hands are in water quite a lot, so I'm thinking a liner would probably not be the best choice.
DeleteI like the wearing it on a chain as a necklace idea.
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about wearing the original ring on a chain, the more I like the idea.
Delete....
I looked to see what I had, and I have a fairly heavy chain that held my cameo, which I hardly ever wear. It's perfect, and I'm wearing the old ring on the chain as I type.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Jewelers can also "stretch" a ring... the ring I wear first belonged to Joel's mother --and she was tiny. So, before our wedding day, we took it to a jeweler and got it 'stretched'. Been good ever since...
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
margaret, I know rings can be made larger, but I care about my original wide wedding band, and I can't wear it because of my allergy, so wearing the original on a chain seems the best solution.
DeleteEvery Sunday night, paint the inside and edge with clear nail polish. Are you certain it was an allergy to the metal? I know allergies to metal are common, but I used to wear a wide silver band and soap/detergent residue (I have my hands in water alot) caused a severe rash under the ring.
ReplyDeleteamyj
amyj, my knuckle on my left hand is too enlarged to wear either ring. Several of my Facebook friends suggested wearing the ring on my right hand as is done in Germany and Holland. Although both rings fit on my right ring finger, I don't care for the idea. I've put the ring on a chain, and it looks very nice "near to my heart" as a FB friend said.
Delete