Did you know that simply wearing a ring can cause it to break? The most common reason that rings break is because of normal wear. Over time the band becomes thinner and more susceptible to breakage. This usually doesn’t happen very quickly but wearing a ring continually, like a wedding ring, over a long period of time will usually lead to the band cracking or breaking.

Soft metals, like yellow gold, are the most likely to crack or break over time. More durable metals, like platinum, are less likely to show signs of wear and tend to last much longer without a crack or breakage. The thickness of the band will also play a part in how likely it is to break or become cracked.

Other Reasons a Ring May Break

While normal wear that causes a ring to become extra thin is the most common reason a ring breaks, there are other causes as well. For instance, resizing a ring up more than two sizes (many jewelers won’t even resize more than 2 sizes up) can also lead to breakage. Resizing a ring that much will cause the band to become so thin that it loses integrity and is much more likely to break.

If your ring is sized too large, this can also lead to breakage. When a ring is too loose on your finger, it sustains more stress because the skin and muscle on your finger aren’t able to support it as much.

Another reason a ring may crack or break is simply from attempting to carry something very heavy. You may be picking up a suitcase or lifting weights at the gym. These situations can put a lot of strain on the ring’s band, causing it to break. Thankfully, most ring cracks or breaks are easy to repair.