How to take care of them in summer?
If you are about to go on holiday to the coast... this is of interest to you!
You've probably been thinking for weeks about your dream holiday for months. You can already imagine yourself lying in a hammock by the pool or at the beach bar on the beachfront, right?
One of our great summer hobbies is sunbathing on a towel. However, "to turn us to the Sun"Showing off our jewellery is not ideal, as most metals, when heated, can cause skin burns! So be very careful with this.
Nor can we avoid sweating in summer - especially considering the high temperatures and heat waves that are scorching the country from one end to the other - so we can also get allergic reactions or dermatitis around the areas where we wear our necklaces or rings, for example. In addition, sweat, together with salt water, chlorine and sun cream, make up the list of the main factors responsible for the alteration of the metals' own composition.
Well, we don't want to be spoilsports... but, we want to warn you and share with you a couple of recommendations so that you take good care of your jewellery during your days off. It's better to be cautious, because as the saying goes: "Prevention is better than cure".
- Yellow gold and white gold:
Gold is a noble metal that is very stable and resistant to corrosion and oxidation, so it is "immune" to the ravages of sweat, sea water or chlorine from swimming pools. However, if your gold piece is very old or fine, the continuous rubbing of sand could erode it.
On the other hand, white gold is characterised by a rhodium coating to highlight and emphasise the colour. Due to this condition, its resistance is lower. Therefore, when our jewellery is immersed in water, it could lose its shine.
In conclusion, the most resistant gold or "water-proof is natural or 24 carat gold (also the most expensive). However, it is more common that our jewellery is not made of natural gold, but of alloys with other metals. For this reason, the pieces most at risk of being damaged or tarnished after the summer are, for example, those made of 14 K or 9 K gold, which can lose their shine more easily due to direct and prolonged contact with water or other liquids.
- Diamonds:
It is considered the hardest gemstone on the planet and is on the same level of strength as gold. However, even though it is scratch-proof, this does not mean that it cannot be broken by a heavy blow.
Although they have shown great resilience under the influences and inclemencies of summer, they can be damaged by sea salt. How? Their facets can become stained and 'opaque', losing the shine we love so much.
- Silver:
Another noble metal like gold, but softer. Due to perspiration, our silver jewellery can become oxidised. As a result, that dark patina comes to the fore and they take on that blackish appearance.
925 silver or Sterling Silver is a fairly robust metal, however, it can also easily lose its lustrous patina if it is continuously subjected to salt water or chlorine baths. Beware also of sun products or perfumes, as they will also end up damaging it.
So... What to do?
As our main recommendation, avoid taking a bath with your jewellery on. Not only because the water can end up ruining them... what if they fall off and get washed away? That hurts to think about, doesn't it?
Even with all these warnings, the truth is that summer is the best time of the year to show off our jewellery pieces, as our outfits give more prominence to a nice pendant or a set of bracelets, for example. So go ahead and show them off this holiday season! Whether it's at a dinner party, when you go out for a walk or at a get-together with friends... as long as you can keep them away and safe from external agents such as the sun, salt or swimming pool water.
If, after the summer, you notice that your jewellery has become a a bit If they are duller or have discoloured a little... don't panic! An experienced jeweller can help you restore them without a problem.
We invite you to come and visit us at C/Barítono Marcos Redondo, 3, in Murcia. You can trust Blasco Joyero to bring your favourite gems back to life and make them look brand new.
