Lost Your Wedding Ring? 6 Things to Do ASAP

A lost wedding ring is no laughing matter—the frantic search, the sinking in your stomach, and the inevitable guilt are seriously upsetting. Before you go into full panic mode, however, take a deep breath. No matter what the outcome of the situation, remember that it is your marriage that truly counts, not the jewelry that symbolizes your relationship.

Keep that perspective in mind, and then follow these steps—hopefully, you'll find your ring along the way.

1. Focus on Finding the Lost Ring

Take a deep breath and focus your attention on finding the lost wedding or engagement ring. Determining approximately when and where the wedding ring disappeared will give you a place to begin your search, and will increase the odds of unearthing it.

2. Retrace Your Steps

Recall the last time you had the ring on (or at least the last place you remember seeing it). From there, retrace your steps—and even enlist some of your loyal friends to come with you for an extra set of eyes.

3. Call in the Experts

If the ring took a tumble down your drain, immediately call your plumber. If the ring accidentally fell into the sand during your honeymoon, the hotel staff or locals with a metal detector on hand may be able to help.

4. File an Insurance Claim

If you have insurance on your ring (fingers crossed), immediately file an insurance claim, even if you're still looking for the lost ring. Let your insurance company know ASAP that the ring was lost. It's best to do this within 24 hours of misplacing the ring. If you do end up finding it, you can cancel the claim and give an update to your insurance company. Better safe than sorry.

5. Talk to Your Jeweler

Call the jeweler where you got the ring as soon as you can. It's possible they might have another one in the same style, or they can re-create a similar ring for you. And given your situation and the fact that you're a repeat buyer, they just might give you a discount.

6. Get a Temporary Ring

If it's a lost engagement ring in question, then the situation is even more urgent—but don't stress. For the immediate future, you can borrow a ring from a close friend or family member, or buy a fake diamond ring. Your guests will be too busy enjoying their time to notice that your ring is not an actual diamond.