How to Keep Your Favorite Jewelry Safe This Summer

As sun-kissed summer days beckon and adventures await, ensuring the safety of your exquisite adornments becomes crucial as you create your summer plans. Whether you're jet-setting across continents or embracing the allure of the great outdoors, our expert staff at Windsor Jewelers have curated expert tips to accompany you on your journey and help keep your jewelry safe and sparkling all summer long. This summer, embrace luxury, embrace life, and let your jewels shine bright throughout the season, secure in knowing that they are well-protected and will continue to stun for years to come.

Avoid the Water

Whether you’re poolside or at the beach, avoiding the water can help extend the life of your beloved jewelry. While the allure of a refreshing dip may be tempting on a hot summer day, pool chemicals and salt water can wreak havoc on certain metals, diminishing their luster over time. Similarly, these corrosive agents pose a threat to delicate gemstones, and can gradually erode their brilliance.

Beyond the risk of damage, the depths of water hold another peril— lost treasures may vanish without a trace, potentially leaving precious pieces beyond recovery. Nothing can ruin your day quite like discovering that your engagement ring or favorite adornment has been lost, never to be seen again. Keep your jewelry safe and sparkling by staying dry while adorned, or leaving the jewelry at home if you plan on hitting the water.

Protect Jewelry from Chemicals

We mentioned the dangers pool chemicals can pose toward your jewelry above, but shielding your jewelry entails steering clear of harmful chemicals that lurk beyond the poolside. Beware the buildup of substances found in everyday products like sunscreen, cosmetics, and insect repellent, and even sweat— these can cling to metals, forming a grimy layer that diminishes their allure and damages them over time. These chemicals can also gum up jewelry clasps, potentially damaging or weakening them.

Of course, always use sunscreen, insect repellant, et cetera, during your summer adventures to keep yourself safe and healthy. To safeguard your treasures from any chemical residues, make sure to gently clean them after wear. Your local jeweler can give them a good deep clean when needed, but a soft, slightly damp cloth is more than enough to keep things clean after an exciting day outside.

Pack and Store Jewelry Securely While Traveling

Discovering a mess of tangled chains, scratched gemstones, and jostled adornments in your luggage can get any trip off to a rocky start. Whether traveling across the state or across the world, safeguarding your jewelry demands gentle yet secure packing.

You can start by individually wrapping each piece of jewelry in soft cloth or tissue paper to shield them from friction and potential scratches. You can also utilize compartmentalized jewelry cases or pouches to keep items separated and organized, minimizing the risk of entanglement or damage. For delicate pieces, consider storing them in padded containers or within the confines of a travel-safe jewelry roll. Upon arrival, safely storing your jewelry in your luggage or in the hotel safe can also keep it secure until you return home. By taking these precautions, your treasures will endure the journey unscathed, ready to adorn you with elegance upon arrival.

Keep Jewelry Clean

Maintaining the pristine allure of your jewelry relies on diligent cleanliness, whether you’re enjoying fun in the sun or staying cool indoors. Regular care ensures that lustrous metals and resplendent gemstones retain their brilliance for years to come. Regular cleanings from an expert jeweler are always recommended, but there are steps you can take to keep your jewelry nice and clean too.

For a gentle clean, soak your treasures in lukewarm water and mild detergent, then delicately scrub with a soft brush to banish any accumulated grime. For intricate designs or porous stones, opt for a specialized jewelry cleaning solution to avoid damage. Once cleansed, pat dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots and maintain their radiant sheen.

Omit Jewelry for Certain Activities

Preserving the splendor of your jewelry sometimes requires knowing when to not wear it. As we mentioned earlier, leaving your precious adornments safely at home or at the hotel when aquatic adventures beckon helps prevent them from becoming lost or damaged.

Beyond watery realms, activities like camping or hiking potentially risk you losing or damaging your beloved jewelry. The call of the wild may lead to accidentally losing jewelry within the wilderness, or worse— potential harm from the rugged terrain. When it comes to outdoor adventures, it’s wise to embrace the freedom of unadorned exploration, knowing that your jewelry remains secure while awaiting your return home or in the hotel. By exercising caution and discretion, your beloved adornments will endure, unscathed by the perils of adventurous pursuits.

Protect Your Jewelry at Windsor Jewelers

Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy what the great outdoors has to offer, and we at Windsor Jewelers know just how to keep your jewelry safe and sparkling for its entire life. From our locations in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, North Carolina, our expert staff can help keep your beloved adornments beautiful with our jewelry repair and watch repair services, and you can take heart in knowing that your pieces will always be well taken care of. If you’re searching for a new addition to your collection, our selection of fine jewelry and luxury timepieces feature a wide array of styles for every occasion. Visit our showrooms or contact us today to discover beautiful adornments that last a lifetime.