Is it safe to post photos of your engagement ring online?

We’re living in a strange world where our social media feeds are constantly baiting us to (humbly) brag about every aspect of our lives.

From our work to our social lives to our relationships, if we don’t post updates on what’s happening in our lives... well, did it really happen?

Yet in the wake of Kim Kardashian’s horrific holdup earlier this month, the world has collectively wondered the potential security threats an online presence might pose — especially when it comes to posting evidence of valuable belongings on social media. Kardashian was robbed of millions of dollars worth of jewellery, including a diamond ring she’d shared photos of on Snapchat and Instagram.

It’s hardly unusual to see friends and loved ones posting about their engagements on social media. But how safe is it to actually post a photo of your engagement ring?

According to Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company in the US, posting a photo of your engagement ring on the internet can potentially serve as an invitation to thieves.

A photo posted by Miranda (@mirandakerr) on Jul 20, 2016 at 8:39am PDT

“Thieves target homes for a variety of reasons. Some seek out unprotected, easy targets in lower-income neighbourhoods for a quick hit with little chance of an alarm system to deal with. Others, however, watch for signs of wealth – a bigger bang for their buck,” the company’s website explains.

“Combine the average value of engagement rings with the ease of selling them, especially online, and it’s not surprising that engagement rings are a target for thieves.”

Owning an expensive engagement ring might also represents far more to thieves than meets the eye.

“Not only is a diamond ring a tempting target all on its own, it could also indicate the owner has other valuable possessions, too.”

So is it best to avoid posting evidence of your engagement online for fear that thieves may pounce on any mention of a ring? Jewelers Mutual doesn’t think so.

“Pictures prominently featuring the ring itself are much more likely to catch the eye of a jewellery thief than a cute picture of the two of you.”