This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer and many of you are headed to the beaches where you’ll enjoy the weekend in the sun, sand and surf. But, amidst all the fun you’re having it’s easy to forget how sun, sand and water can affect your jewelry. In general, we recommend you leave your fine jewelry and diamonds at home when you are heading out to the beach or pool, but if you can’t part with your engagement ring/wedding band, or need a necklace to dress up a new bikini and sarong just remember these tips! Happy Memorial Day, everyone!
1. Don’t wear your engagement ring when you go swimming – Once you hit the cold water your hands shrink so, unless your ring is really tight it’s best to take it off before you go in the pool or ocean.
2. Be mindful of sand and it’s effects on your jewelry – Sand is silica, it’s what they make glass from and is very abrasive. It can wear off the surface of things like gold–plating, rhodium–plating, and vermeil. Your diamond won’t be hurt by the sand nor with some gemstones like sapphires, or rubies. But a softer gems like pearls or emeralds, are more likely to be scratched.
3. Salt air can have an effect – It’s especially harmful to rose–gold jewelry because of the copper. Sea salt is very corrosive to copper and it will cause the jewelry to collapse much faster than yellow gold, which has brass and silver in it. If you need a place to store your jewelry in a salt–air environment be sure to place them in a cool, dry place that’s well ventilated.
4. Suntan lotion and your jewelry – Suntan lotions won’t harm metals or your diamonds, so you can go ahead and grease up. They will leave a residue on your jewelry and make it appear dull and dingy, so you’ll want to use some jewelry cleaner (and a polishing cloth for your diamonds) to clean it up.
