With the arrival of good weather, we spend more time outdoors. However, if you increase your exposure to certain elements, it’s likely that your accessories will suffer the consequences, as they’re made with delicate materials or decorated with embellishments that require special care.
If you want to keep your pieces looking like new, don’t miss the useful tips from VIDAL & VIDAL below: you can put them into practice right away so that caring for your jewelry in summer is easy and simple. Keep reading!
Watch out for environmental factors
It’s completely normal to want to wear your favorite jewelry when the days get longer and you feel like making the most of the daylight. However, this time of year presents certain risks for your pieces that can end up damaging them, so it’s important to know how to identify them.
Sunlight
Direct and prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays can not only cause the metals in your jewelry to overheat, but it also brings serious consequences for certain gemstones. Amethyst, topaz, rose quartz, and turquoise are especially sensitive to sunlight and can lose color permanently. Meanwhile, pearls may become brittle and yellowish.
 |
 |
Chlorine
The most common pool disinfectant is highly corrosive to most materials, for example, gold. It can weaken settings that hold stones in this metal or even cause stress fractures. Silver, on the other hand, reacts to this substance by tarnishing and losing its shine almost immediately, while porous gemstones and pearls can discolor and become irreparably damaged.
Saltwater
Salt is also corrosive to certain jewelry, as it can slowly erode solder joints and leave an opaque whitish residue on metals and gemstones. In addition, especially in the case of rings, because seawater is usually cold, your fingers slightly shrink due to vasoconstriction, making them easier to lose.
 |
 |
Sand
Because it’s made up of small fragments of rocks or minerals, it acts as an abrasive that can scratch metals like gold or silver and damage the polish on natural stones.
Sunscreens
Some cosmetics used in summer, such as lotions and oils with sun protection, contain ingredients that can build up in more hidden areas of jewelry, especially around settings. This can create an opaque film that prevents light from reflecting, which drastically reduces their shine.
When in doubt, take them off
There are different elements that can affect the appearance of your favorite pieces during the summer months. Therefore, the general recommendation you can follow is to remove all jewelry before applying sunscreen, swimming in the pool or the sea, playing sports on the beach or even resting on a towel by the shore. Carry a case or individual fabric pouches with you to store them safely and prevent scratches.
Care for your jewelry by material
Although the most advisable practice is to avoid exposing your accessories to any element that could damage them, this is often not feasible, so it’s important to know how to care for them afterwards:
- Gold and silver jewelry. It’s recommended to clean them with a soft, dry cloth to remove traces of sweat, cosmetics, or makeup. If they’ve come into contact with more aggressive substances, you can wash them with warm water, pH-neutral soap, and a soft brush.
- Jewelry with diamonds. To remove films adhered to their surface, we recommend cleaning the gems with the same solution mentioned above. You can use a brush to reach the hardest-to-reach areas and remove any buildup.
- Jewelry with natural stones. In the case of emeralds, opals, turquoise, or coral, take special care due to their porosity and delicacy. Avoid chemicals and use a slightly damp cloth, but dry immediately. If they are harder stones, it’s possible to use water with a little neutral soap.
- Pearl jewelry. You can clean them with a soft cloth slightly moistened with distilled water and dry them gently. By nature, they’re sensitive to perfumes, lotions, and sweat, so it’s best to put them on after applying cosmetics and avoid wearing them when exercising, bathing, or on hot days.
Professional maintenance
Although our practical tips will help you keep your jewelry as good as new, it’s also a good idea to consider taking them to a trusted expert for a check-up or a more thorough cleaning. With these services, it’s possible to check the condition of the settings, ensure the security of diamonds and natural stones, or verify that the overall condition of the jewelry is as expected. Likewise, a professional polish can restore the shine that may have faded over the summer.
Your jewelry is much more than accessories: they’re a symbol of important moments and a form of expression. With these recommendations and a little effort, they can remain part of your collection for many years and accompany you every summer without losing their original appearance.
