- Posted by
Icebox Jewels Team
Whether you’re sweltering in India or relaxing in India sunny, sand-filled paradise, you’ll undoubtedly flaunt your favorite pieces of jewelry. However, neither the city’s thick humidity and pollution nor the beach’s hot, salty air are good for your valuables.
We’ve gathered some expert advice to help you care for your jewelry and keep it looking new and sparkly in the summer heat.
Avoid Wearing Anything Delicate on the Beach
Though you may want to flaunt that stunning 18-karat rose gold bracelet you bought for yourself as a treat, if you’re going to the beach, it’s best to leave it at home. Gold is a soft metal, and the higher the karat, the more prone to nicks, scratches, and even warping a piece is. Your valuable jewelry would be at serious risk of being damaged by the sand at the beach.
Certain metals and gemstones are particularly vulnerable to the effects of sea salt. Because soft gemstones like emerald and opal are porous and can absorb salt from the air, you should keep pieces embedded with these stones at home.
They will rot from the inside out as a result of this. Keep copper-infused metals in storage as well: keep your priceless rose gold or stainless steel away from salt to keep them in perfect condition. Salt corrodes copper, so your copper-infused items will be harmed as well.
Keep Jewelry Away from Chlorine
When the weather gets warm, it’s hard not to feel compelled to go for a swim, but do yourself and your jewelry collection a favor and remove your jewelry before jumping in. Chlorine is bad for jewelry because it corrodes most metals in the same way that salt corrodes copper.
Sources differ on whether chlorine affects platinum, but to be safe, keep platinum jewelry away from chlorine as well. Because the chemical is so damaging to jewelry, prolonged exposure can cause discoloration or dulling of the shine at best, and cracking at worst.
Polish Jewelry with Soft Polishing Cloth
Sweat can cause serious damage to your jewelry: sterling silver can even turn black when exposed to the body’s natural oils! As a result, make sure to wipe down your jewelry after wearing it, especially if it has come into contact with your skin. Make sure you’re cleaning the pieces with a polishing cloth rather than a bath towel, as the loops in the fabric of bath towels can catch on the details of your piece and loosen any gemstone settings or warp carvings.
When Not in Use, Store Jewelry in a Cool, Dark Location.
In the summer, you take your jewelry out where it’s sunny and warm, and while this isn’t bad for the pieces in small doses, it’s critical that they get a break from the bright light and heat when you get home. Too much sunlight will fade gemstones, and if the metal gets too hot, it will bend or warp. When not in use, store your pieces in a cool, dark place to avoid damage.
Separately Store your Jewelry.
Hard gemstones like diamonds, similar to how sand can scratch or nick your jewelry, can cause serious damage to other pieces if stored loosely. It’s best to store your jewelry pieces separately for the sake of your collection, preferably in a jewelry box lined with fabric so that each piece is cushioned and thoroughly protected.
