As it gets hotter, more and more people flock to the pool for a cool-down. You can’t get much more relaxed than when you’re sipping a cool drink on a pool float with loved ones at your side. But just like any other activity, there are precautions to consider when swimming.
You already know about using sunscreen and staying hydrated. But something you may not have thought of is what might happen to your fine jewelry in the water.
The silver and gold found in jewelry isn’t as pure as that found in investment-grade bullion, but pieces of jewelry are still quite valuable—both in metal content and sentimental value. You wouldn’t want to lose or damage your jewelry while trying to partake in summer fun.
As you might know, jewelry will undergo damage over time from normal wear and tear, oxidation, and exposure to the elements. This damage often occurs slowly over the years. But water—and more importantly, the minerals and chemicals found in water—can quicken the pace of oxidation and other damages.
Washing your hands or showering with your jewelry generally won’t hurt it. The chemicals found in tap water aren’t harsh enough to cause reactions with the metals found in your jewelry. In fact, washing while wearing jewelry can even remove skin oils and dirt particles to restore shine. However, it’s not a good idea to submerge jewelry, like when taking a bath. This is especially true if your jewelry contains gems and/or crevices that water can become trapped in.
Swimming exposes jewelry to more chemicals like chlorine or salt, which can interact with jewelry in negative ways. Chlorine can cause color changes in silver, can dissolve some metals, and can damage gemstones. When it comes to hot tubs, the higher temperature can even speed up the chemical reactions that damage jewelry.
Swimming in saltwater isn’t quite as damaging as chlorinated pool water, but it can still be corrosive. Not to mention, losing a piece of jewelry in an ocean makes it much harder to recover than in a pool where it would be visible through the water. Additionally, hot springs are a major problem for jewelry due to the naturally occurring sulfur, which is used by jewelers to intentionally oxidize silver.
The best way to keep your jewelry safe is to not wear it while in or near bodies of water. This prevents the damages listed above, and also prevents the possibility of losing a piece of jewelry in the water. It’s best to leave your precious jewelry safely tucked away at home or in your hotel safe while you go enjoy a summer day out by the water.
What’s your favorite summertime activity? Commenting below will serve as your entry for our June giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by June 24, 2018. One winner will be randomly selected on June 25, 2018 to receive a 2018 2 oz Australian Silver Koala Mother and Baby from the Perth Mint’s new Next Generation series.
Good luck and enjoy the summer!
I love football soccer in summer.
Relaxing with my family by the pool or in the shade with a good book.
I enjoy playing golf ⛳with my son and meeting my daughter for lunch at our favorite patio spots in town.
Evening and nighttime bike rides. As the kids start to get called home for the night or for dinner, and the neighborhoods start to shut down, and the evening air starts to cool down, I love to get on my bicycle and ride. Especially after I’ve been working in the garage on one project or another that afternoon.
A cool evening bike ride is one of the best things summer offers.
I like being outside during the long summer days. The sun rises early and sets late. Warm days and cool nights!
Watching summer movies & going to the beach!
Going to the beach with my little one! Thanks so much for the chance!
Sitting out by my pond under a big oak tree watching the kiddos fish or shoot snapping turtles.
BBQ, camping and fishing.
Fly Fishing up north , great way to relax.
Spending time with my daughter and family. Love cooking out and spending time with my animals!
Summer is the time for cookouts!
watching pandas would be a great summer activity …
Grillin’ and Chillin’
Silver rounds are great!
Hiking!
Fishing on a warm breezy day, cold beer in my hand.
Celebrating multiple birthdays with the grandkids. A great memory having 8 grandkids chase me around the backyard with squirt guns, water balloons and buckets of water.
Walking in the woods along a spring fed creek.
Panning for gold in a COLD Colorado stream on a HOT summer’s day, finish the day with a cold beer and some trout fishing…..
Going to Assateague Beach Virginia and catching mole crabs
Being in the great outdoors observing all the proof of a inteligent designer.
Spending the summer fishing on Lake Erie catching purch and around the 4 th of July having fryed fish French fries and drinking orange crush dose not get any better than that
I love to sit down on the front porch swing, listening to the traffic while reading a good book.
Spending time with grand kids and family. Serving God.
Pitching a tent and getting close to nature!
Spend an afternoon beside the pool, with the grill heated up, hamburgers grilling, kids splashing and laughing, soaking up the sun, letting the rest of the world drain away.
My favorite summertime activities include vacationing with family, spending time outdoors. And for this summer, World Cup Soccer is on the list.
A quiet early morning metal detecting at a park getting my daily exercise and fresh air all in one.
I like to get up early, go for a walk and enjoy the peacefulness.