Summertime is the perfect time to wear your favorite pieces of jewelry. However, it’s important to take precautions to protect them from the sun and other elements. In this blog post, we will provide a few tips from the experts on how to keep your jewelry safe and looking beautiful all summer long!
As things heat up the urge to cool off rises! What better way to cool off than with a dip in the lake or pool?! While our official recommendation is not to wear your jewelry while swimming, we know that’s not always realistic.
So, if you plan to keep your jewelry on while you swim here are a couple of things to consider!
Salt water & sand
Water is often cooler than your body temperature, and as your body adjusts to the coolness of the water, your fingers will most likely shrink.
Next thing you know your ring has slipped right off your finger, perhaps without you even noticing! We can’t count the number of times we’ve heard “My husband lost his wedding ring – it’s somewhere at the bottom of the lake or sea.”
Sand at the beach and some lakes can damage your jewelry. Sand is made up of finely ground minerals and rocks, therefore is highly abrasive and can scratch precious pieces.
Sun
It might surprise you, but your jewelry does not like extreme temperatures ― and neither do you. Your summer accessories require the same level of protection as your skin against UV radiation. You can use a summer jewelry care routine.
The Sun is not safe for jewelry. First, the high levels of UV rays will cause your beach jewelry to age and prolonged exposure may damage its finish or even transform its original color into a dull shade of gray.
Next, metals with lower melting points may melt or warp in the heat, while higher melting metals can lose their beautiful luster and sparkle.
Chlorine
In Florida, there’s no such thing as driving for miles without seeing or spending time in a pool. The most common cause of summer jewelry damage is chlorine.
Chlorine is a Halogen, a chemical that reacts with the alloys used to create the various colors and carats of gold.
Halogens degrade and consume the alloys, ultimately dissolving your jewelry. In addition, chlorine can also cause metals to change color or lose their luster.
Precious gemstones like diamonds can also be affected chlorine can remove the finish and polish, resulting in a dull and dark appearance.
The first tip is to remove all jewelry while swimming or lounging in a pool. Removing your all your jewelry will help prevent harmful chemicals from getting onto your pieces. And even if you can’t take off your jewelry pieces, avoid exposing them directly to water for long periods of time.
Leaving your jewelry in damp conditions can also damage it. After you swim, dry off all your jewelry pieces—especially the underside. And be sure to store your jewelry in a dry place.
Sunscreen
While sunscreen is an absolute must to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, it can wreak havoc on your jewelry. Not only can it act like glue, gunching up your beautiful stones and engraving with goop and sand, but it can also act as a lubricant, making it easy for rings to slip off.
Always remove your jewelry when applying sunscreen and wait till it has been absorbed before trusting your rings to stay on!
Sunscreen is a common cause of buildup on jewelry during the summer. The effects of summer products are more damaging in the long term than single use.
The best way to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid exposing it to lotions for extended periods. If you need sunscreen, make sure you wash your jewelry off afterward to prevent chemical buildup.
Sweat
It can be so annoying to take off your jewelry before being active, but with certain pieces, we promise it’s worth it! Here are a few ways to help your jewelry beat the heat.
If you are wearing earrings always check to be sure your backs are secure, so you don’t lose one while you’re on the move! It is also important to have your earrings cleaned regularly as perspiration and buildup from creams, hairspray and even skin tissue can dull your sparkle and prevent your backing from staying secure.
One of the things that happen when you step out into the scorching Sun and sand is your body sends more blood to the surface of the skin, needing to cool itself off.
In essence, you sweat more, not just any kind of sweat! The sweat from the heat and outdoor activity is salty – not precisely what we want touching our skin, let alone our precious jewelry.
Whether you’re at the gym, kayaking or gardening, keep friction in mind! We see rings in for repair all the time that are scratched up, dented, or even worn through from wearers doing activities with their rings on. The constant rubbing of metal against rough or hard surfaces such as metal, wood, dirt, or rocks can cause a lot of unnecessary wear on your jewelry.
One method for dealing with a sweaty situation at the beach is to wipe yourself down with a clean, dry towel before putting on your jewelry. Wiping down jewelry pieces will eliminate some sweat. You can also wait until you’re a bit cooler before putting your accessories back on.
Tips for traveling with summer jewelry
Traveling is the best time of summer season for many people. If you decide to take your fine jewelry on a trip, there are some things you should do to protect it.
-If you do choose to pack all of your jewelry, avoid the urge to put it all in one bag. Instead, pack jewelry separately to avoid unnecessary harm.
-Packing them all together could cause harder stones like diamonds to scratch softer materials like gold, pearls, or opals because some stones and materials are far more durable than others.
-Keep your jewelry out of checked bags at all costs! If your jewelry has sentimental or monetary worth to you, pack a carry-on luggage to protect it throughout travel and ensure its safe arrival at your destination. After all, misplaced checked bags can occur, sometimes permanently.
-One thing to keep in mind is never to leave expensive jewelry on display in a hotel room, safely store it. You should always wear jewelry when you’re out and about or have it locked up in a safe or safety deposit box.
-It is advised to quickly take a photo of the jewelry you plan to bring on your trip. If you accidentally misplace something, you can use the photo to show that it’s yours if it’s lucky enough to be found.
Before storing your jewelry, make sure it’s dry. Then use the polishing cloth to clean it.
Consider jewelry insurance
Jewelry insurance can’t protect the sentimental value of jewelry, but it can protect its monetary value if ever lost or stolen.
It’s usually a good idea to get jewelry insurance that covers loss, theft, and mysterious disappearance if you’re taking expensive jewelry on a trip.
Be sure to read the fine print before you buy jewelry insurance if you want extra security when traveling.
Make sure the insurance you purchase will protect you wherever you travel because jewelry insurance coverage differs significantly.
If you have questions about it or need an appraisal, we can help guide you through the decision-making process as well as appraise your jewelry.
Wear your jewelry and have fun!
Wear it! This is the season to have fun with fashion! Accessorize that cute dress or let your diamond ring sparkle will you sip some wine on a patio. Jewelry can’t do its job if it’s just sitting in your jewelry box!
Jewelry was made to be worn, no differently than a car is meant to be driven. But like your car, your jewelry needs regular maintenance and special care and will last longer when treated right.
If you can follow our tips, your jewelry is likely to last longer & sparkle brighter! It is also vital to bring your jewelry in and have it checked and cleaned regularly.
Clean and Polish
At least once every three to six months, you should clean and polish your jewelry. However, during summer when your jewelry is exposed to harsh elements, it’s a good idea to clean your jewelry every couple of weeks to give your jewelry a boost of shine.
Be careful if you are cleaning your jewelry by yourself. Most gemstones can be cleaned using warm soapy water, and then a soft toothbrush. Always take extreme attention when you polish jewelry made of gems because some polishing pastes and polishing solutions may be too rough for porous or soft gems. You might consider professional cleaning.
Wrapping Up
Summertime is a great opportunity to show off your personality with some cool beach jewelry.
And everyone loves wearing jewelry during summer months.
Whether you’re a beach bum or more of a lake lover, the beautiful warm weather and adventures of summer can expose your jewelry to harsh elements or the risk of loss that can quickly put a damper on the fun.
Aside from the daily activities that can damage your jewelry, summertime specifically poses certain risks to the safety and quality of your precious jewelry.
But it’s important to take care of your fine jewelry so it continues to look its best. To avoid damage, be sure to keep it away from harsh chemicals and abrasive materials. With a little bit of care, you can enjoy your summer jewelry for many seasons to come! We hope our expert advice will be of help and you can enjoy your summer plans!