Summer Jewelry Care

Summer is here!  We all love it but our jewelry needs special care to make it through the summer months.  Follow these tips to keep your jewelry safe and sparkling all season long:

Remove all jewelry before going into hot tubs and swimming pools.  The chlorine can damage and discolor metals such as gold and platinum and can slowly erode the finish and polish of gemstones.

Remove all jewelry before entering salt water.  Salt water can have similar damaging effects as chlorine on your jewelry.

Don’t wear rings in cold water.  The cold temperature of the water in pools, oceans, lakes, and rivers causes your finger size to shrink temporarily. When this happens, rings become too large and, aided by the movement of your hands as you swim or play, can easily slip off the finger without your being aware of it.

Don't wear jewelry on the beach.  Sand is abrasive and can scratch jewelry.  Also, you are unlikely to ever find jewelry lost in the sand.

Remove jewelry before applying sunscreen or bug spray.  These can get into the crevices of your jewelry.  It is hard to remove and becomes a magnet for dirt.

Don't wear jewelry when playing any active, high impact sport.  Stones can be knocked out of their setting or become chipped or cracked.

Don’t wear your jewelry while gardening.  Gold and platinum settings can be badly scratched by rocks and tools.  Gemstones, including diamonds, can chip or crack when hit on a rock or tool.

Clean your jewelry regularly.  Sweat and body oils can dull your jewelry.

When traveling or at home, store jewelry in individual soft cloth pouches or in separate compartments in lined jewelry boxes to prevent scratching, dulling and the tangling of chains.