As Spring Break is finally here the warmer weather (yes even
here in Oregon)draws us to the great out doors in the form of a trip to the
local swimming pool or lake, packing a picnic, taking a holiday at the beach,
or using weekend time to cultivate the garden or flower bed. While all of these
activities are signature elements of the warmer season and good for the body
and soul, they can cause unintentional damage to the metal and gemstones in
your favorite fine and semi-precious jewelry.
Summer TLC for Jewelry Care
In addition to the importance of protecting your jewelry
from grease and cleaning supplies, summer creates its own elements of wear and
tear through the additions of sun exposure, salt water, chlorine, sand, dirt,
sweat, sunscreen and lotion and bug spray.
Chlorine – The chemicals in a hot tub or pool are added to
control unwanted bacteria and algae but in jewelry, chlorine creates a damaging
reaction between the chemicals and the alloy metals. This results in damage and
discoloration to the metal in platinum and gold jewelry. Chemicals in the
chlorine also breakdown the shine and polish of gemstones.
Cold water temperatures – While the cool water of a lake,
pond or ocean feels particularly refreshing on a hot day, the temperature can
also create a side effect of slight shrinkage in the fingers, increasing the
possibility of inadvertently losing a beloved piece of jewelry. When it doubt,
leave it at home.
Sunscreen sprays and lotions – Adequate protection from the
sun requires a combination of sunscreen lotions, sprays and gels. The simple
act of application can leave tiny sunscreen deposits that build up in the links
of a chain and the prongs of a ring, creating a sticky or greasy film on the
stones and metal. Next time, apply then allow time to dry before adding
jewelry.
Digging in the dirt and sand – Good times can be had while
digging holes for new plants in the garden or creating a sandcastle at the
beach, but the tiny rocks in dirt and sand are not kind to jewelry. The
abrasive materials can leave behind scratches, particularly in softer metals.
Sun effects – Most of us know how the sun effects of our
hair and skin after a day of fun in the sun. The skin and hair feels tight and
dry after being stripped of its natural oils and moisture. A similar stripping
effect occurs when it comes to the fading of the natural and plastic materials
of costume jewelry.
Ensuring Proper Jewelry Care
For many of us, jewelry is a powerful symbol of some of our
most precious moments. As a result, it’s important to protect your investment
of money and memories by observing the right ways to clean and store jewelry
pieces. Each stone and every metal has its own level of strength and requires
individual care. This summer, create a new tradition by having your precious
and semi-precious jewelry inspected by the jewelers at Noe’s Jewelry.
