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!
Fishing, camping and spending more time with my Children and Grandchildren.
We will be celebrating life and liberty in the greatest country on the face of the Earth. The United States of America.
I love going to the play at the beach(all the summer activities on the sand)
My favorite summertime thing to do is take my family to the beach in Florida. I love to make memories.
I love Saltwater Fishing! My favorite place is Islamorada in the Florida Keys. My wife and I got married about 10 miles offshore from there. I actually had 4 live baits in the water during the ceremony! The only time I was glad not to get a bite! 35 years later and all is well. Hoping to make it back to Islamorada for an anniversary. Hope everyone has a great summer.
I enjoy traveling with my children. This summer my kids and I will be camping and visiting the lakes and parks.
Boating and walking the dog on nature trail. Nothing better
Waiting on some fresh local grown sweet corn.It doesn’t get any better than that.
I always thought it was bad to wash with jewelry. Learn something new all the time.
Just doing a little travelling with the family. We will usually drive to a beach or take a flight to Las Vegas. Summer time affords me to make memories that last longer than most gadgets and other novelties.
We have a family tradition of spending two weeks with our children and grandchildren starting late june through first week of july. We don’t plan we just do. Enjoy !!!
Definitely gonna be relaxing and hanging out with friends
Coaching Softball and enjoying the outdoors!!
Beach with the kids and surfing is my favorite way to spend summertime weekends
Working in the vegetable garden and putting back the harvest with old-school pressure canning, dehydrating, and freezing. We get enough produce to carry us through the cold winter months!
Working more hours to collect more Silver from my favorite mint, Perth Mint! Love the Koalas! Provident Metals Rocks!
Eating the fresh vegetables from our garden and of course, shopping with Provident Metals.
Really looking forward to this summer at a WV camp with a mountain stream.
Hiking and swimming with my 7 year old
Just hanging out at the beach
Fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and camping.
I think I’ll probably be trying to 3D model some assets for a game I’m making, sometime this summer.
goin fishing wearing my lucky bikini
Hiking and deep sea fishing
Nothing like fishing with the grand kids
Cold beer, smoking meat, and BBQ!
I love, love, love baseball!–going with my family and friends.
Fishing!
Hitting Las Vegas pools for the summer
Siting all day in a bar drinking beer