How to Care for Jewellery in Summer
Summer is all about basking in the warm sunshine, enjoying a dip in the sea, and relaxing on sandy beaches. While it's a season full of fun, relaxation, and outdoor adventures, the summer elements can take its toll on your jewellery.
The combination of intense sunlight, salty seawater, abrasive sand, sweat, and sunscreen can cause significant damage to your favourite jewellery pieces—if you're not careful. To keep your jewellery looking its best during the summer months, no matter how hot it gets, follow these essential care tips.
Summer Jewellery Care
Protect from Direct Sunlight
It's best to avoid wearing jewellery in direct sunlight, especially when it's exceptionally hot, as prolonged exposure can cause some jewellery to fade or discolour. Certain gemstones and metals are particularly vulnerable to sun damage so avoid wearing them in harsh sun and store in a cool, shady place when not being worn.
Guard Against Sweat
The heat of the summer sun means you'll be sweating more than usual, and when your jewellery comes into contact with that sweat, it might cause some damage. Sweat contains oils and salts that can tarnish and dull your jewellery, particularly pieces made of silver and gold. So whether you're sunbathing or engaging in strenuous activities, remember to remove your jewellery to protect it from heavy sweating.
Keep Away from Sand
Spending a day at the beach is the perfect way to enjoy summer—but sand it not your friend when it comes to jewellery! The grains of sand are abrasive and will cause scratches on your jewellery, especially on softer gemstones and metals. To protect your jewellery, remove it before playing in the sand and rinse pieces off with clean water after a trip to the beach.
Avoid Wearing Jewellery While Swimming
The best way to cool off in summer is by taking a dip in the pool or a swim in the sea, but submerging jewellery for too long will cause water damage, especially to sterling silver, which can tarnish, and gemstones, which can absorb water. Chlorine and saltwater is particularly harmful, so before going for a swim, doing water sports, or showering off after a trip to the beach, make sure to remove your jewellery to keep it safe.
Be Careful with Sunscreen
Summer means regularly applying sunscreen, bug spray, and other lotions but these products tend to leave a residue on your skin that easily transfers to your jewellery. If you're not careful, these products will damage your jewellery causing them to become dull and sticky. Avoid direct contact with these products by removing your jewellery before applying them, and don't put it back on until your skin is clean and dry.
General Cleaning and Storage Tips
Whether you're at home or away on holiday, routine cleaning is essential for keeping your jewellery looking its best. If your jewellery comes into contact with salt water, sunscreen, or sweat, rinse it with water before drying it with a soft cloth. For a deeper clean, use a mild soap to clean out any sand or debris that it might have picked up during your summer adventures.
When you're not wearing your jewellery, store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box to prevent scratches and tangles. For more tips on keeping your jewellery safe, follow our eco-friendly jewellery care tips.
