Summer has officially arrived, which means it’s time to get out and bask in the warm weather! But before you do, you’ll want to know what to look out for when it comes to exposing your timeless jewelry to harsh elements that can cause discoloration, scratches, and worse, even cause you to lose the jewelry altogether.
Here’s how you can plan for summer and have all of the fun with none of the unpleasant surprises.
With the inviting weather heating up outside, it’s no wonder that the number of jewelry accidents rises during summer as fast as the temperatures do. Keep an eye out for these common hazards so you can spend less time worrying about your jewelry and more time enjoying these fun activities.
If you’re used to flying, then you’ll know that airport security can be a bit tricky. Jewelry needs to be placed in a dish to avoid setting off the metal detector, but you also want to prevent anyone from taking your jewelry when you’re busy stepping through security. It’s recommended that you hide all jewelry inside of a bag or purse so that your valuables aren’t so easy to spot and, more importantly, grab.
Speaking of bags, you’ll want to pack your jewelry inside individual bags rather than throwing them all into the same bag. This is especially true if you plan on taking a lot of different types of jewelry. Not all metals and stones have the same hardness, and they can end up scratching each other if they rub together too much. You’ll be much safer off to take multiple bags and wrap up each piece of jewelry in their own box or cloth. Soft tissues can also do the trick if you’re in a rush.
With temperatures skyrocketing throughout summer, swimming is one of the most popular activities. Unfortunately, hanging around water also happens to be one of the most common ways to damage sensitive jewelry. Chlorine and salt water cause discoloration of precious metals and remove the polish from gemstones. This extends to other halogens like bromine, which is commonly used to clean hot tubs.
By wearing your rings and bracelets in hot tubs, you face the risk of chemicals eating away at the metals and effectively dissolving your jewelry over time. You can avoid these issues altogether by remembering to leave your jewelry in a safer location.
Sand can also pose a serious problem, as the grains can cause scratches and even get lodged in your jewelry’s settings. Similarly, dirt from gardening or playing at public parks can be just as abrasive. If not cleaned right away, your jewelry can become permanently damaged. You can treat scratches with polish or by taking them to a professional jeweler who will have special tools to give them a full restoration.
And then there’s the threat of buildup. Sunscreen, bug spray, and any other lotions and sprays we use to protect ourselves during the summer can build up in jewelry, making the metals look dull. It can also cause your rings to slip right off your fingers. Don’t forget to remove any rings while applying sunscreen and give it a bit of time for lotions to soak in the skin before you decide to put your rings back on.
Fortunately, if you do forget that you’re wearing jewelry and they accidentally get damaged or scratched, or you begin to notice some buildup, you can take your jewelry to a specialist who can give your precious metals and gemstones the jewelry repair they need. A specialist can provide a deeper cleaning that will help keep your stones and metals sparkling for generations to come. Here are just a few of the ways they can treat damage:
And much more. So don’t worry! If you forget to prevent the damage from happening in the first place, you’ll be able to get the jewelry repair you need to restore your jewelry back to its former glory.
Summer is a time to let loose and have fun, but don’t forget to take care of your jewelry by leaving them in a safe and secured place when hanging around any of the areas mentioned above. Routine jewelry care and maintenance will help you keep your jewelry shining bright like the sun all summer long.
If you start to notice any jewelry damage, you can visit us at our store in Huntsville or Florence, AL, or stop by our store in Franklin, TN.