WHAT ARE THE CULPRITS?
Summer is a great time for going outside and being in the sun, but it can also be very harsh on your precious jewelry. There are some simple steps you can take to ensure that your favorite pieces of jewelry stay shiny and beautiful all summer long!
❌ Sun
It might surprise you but your jewelry does not like extreme temperatures ― and neither do you. Just as you need to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays, your summer jewelry needs to be protected from the harmful rays of the sun.
First, the high levels of UV rays will cause your beach jewelry to age and weather faster, damaging its finish or even transforming its original color into a dull shade of gray. Metals with lower melting points may melt or warp in the heat, while higher melting metals can lose their beautiful luster and sparkle.
✔️ Pay attention to the temperature of your jewelry when you're at the beach. If a piece heats up quickly in the sunlight and gets too warm to touch comfortably, it's time to put it away for safekeeping. The same goes if you wear a ring or earrings that cause an unpleasant burning sensation on your skin.
✔️ Jewelry is sensitive to temperature changes, thus it is best to store jewelry in a dry, well-ventilated place with a constant temperature.
❌ Lotion
We all love the feel of lotion. It is smooth, silky and luxurious. But you might not realize that lotion can really damage your jewelry. Lotion contains a chemical called glycerin that can dissolve or tarnish the metal in your jewelry.
✔️ The effects of summer products are more damaging in the long-term than from a single use. The best way to keep your jewelry looking beautiful is to avoid exposing it to lotions for extended periods of time. If you need to use sunscreen make sure you wash your jewelry off after your done to avoid chemical buildup.
❌ Sand
Sand consists of finely powdered rock and mineral particles. Sand is quite hard and abrasive, despite its miniature size. Any contact with sand, whether by excessive rubbing or digging, has the potential to damage metals and gemstones - especially gentler ones.
✔️ Since sand can easily scratch and damage your beach jewelry, it's important to keep jewelry in a secure place when you're at the beach. Opt for a soft storage pouch or cloth bag that can protect your gemstones from all of those tiny, potentially dangerous particles.
❌ Saltwater!
Beware, saltwater can harm your cute summer jewelry. Saltwater contains minerals and chemicals that can corrode, discolor or damage jewelry. When saltwater comes into contact with your jewelry it will usually cause both rust and tarnish over time.
✔️ A quick rinse with water and a soft cloth after getting out of the ocean is sufficient, but if possible, store jewelry in airtight bags made of non-water-soluble materials such as plastic (or even Tupperware). Some items—like earrings and rings with gems set on the underside—can be "turned" so the gems are on top, which lessens the chances of them getting wet.
❌ Chlorine
Chlorine can not only leave a bad taste in your mouth, it can also be the complete opposite of good for your jewelry accessories. Unfortunately, most metals are reactive to chlorine, which means that because they’re dissolved by the acidity of the compound, it can damage or discolor jewelry.
✔️ The first tip is to remove all jewelry while swimming or bathing. This will help prevent harmful chemicals from getting onto your pieces. And even if you can't take off a ring or pendant, avoid exposing it directly to water for long periods of time.
✔️ Leaving your jewelry in damp conditions can also damage it. After you swim, dry off all of your pieces--especially the underside. And if you're going to wear a necklace or bracelet to the beach, make sure to remove it before getting into bed. You wouldn't want an expensive and delicate piece of jewelry rubbing up against a sandy pillow.
❌ Sweat
One of the things that happens when you step out into 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 – but not just any kind of sweat! The sweat that comes from heat and outdoor activity is salty – not exactly what we want touching our skin, let alone our precious 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. This will eliminate some sweat and make it easier to put on your ring or necklace.
Conclusion
Keeping your jewelry accessories safe during summertime is a little challenging, but it is not impossible. By following the simple steps above, you will find that your summer remains fun and virtually carefree.