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!
My favorite summertime activity is having a break from college and going conoeing on the lake behind my house
Panning for gold.
I love to swim with my grandchildren. Watching them learn to hold their breath, take their first swim strokes and jump into the water is the best.
While school is out, I donate the use of my boat and expertise to take underprivelaged children out bass fishing. I teach them fishing laws and aid them in learning how to catch bass with artificial baits.
Fishing has been good to me and I like giving back to my community.
Love fishing and camping with family and friends.
Summer time. Time for BBQ, bounce house, trampoline, crayfish and Pho.
I always enjoy taking my family to the beautiful Smokey Mountains in TN.
During the summer months, my two younger daughters, who normally live with their addoptive mother, spend a few weeks with me, my wife and their older sister. Usually, my son is also able to come home from college for a little while, and my oldest daughter, her husband and the two grandkids visit frequently. Summer has become a time for family to come back together for us.
Working in the yard, cooling off under umbrella while listening to our fountain, and at night, sky goggling!
Fishing with the kids and grand kids
Fishing and Archery.
I love spending time with family at the lake , fishing, swimming, and grilling.
An inner tube,a few friends,a cocktail and a quiet river
Family, food, and fun………. spreading the love at the parks.
Summer we always get to spend more time with our adult daughters so normally plan a couple of trips somewhere we haven’t been yet and enjoy quality time with our family and getting out of Louisiana hot humid sun isn’t too bad either
I live in Tucson, AZ so my favorite summer activity is waking up early to catch the balmy and beautiful morning just as the sun is rising, to see all the bunnies and quail. Then I hide inside the cool house during the day, embracing the concept of ‘siesta’ and emerge once again in the cooler evening to catch the gorgeous sunsets. At dusk I can watch the bunnies and quail come out again and, if I’m lucky, sometimes the deer and coyotes who come to sip at our pond.
Fishing with the kids.
BBQ at the park
Picnics at the park
I like to invite my kids ( 3 ) with my grandchildren ( 6 ) & cook out . Nothing warms the heart like watching the grand’s run jump & play & being best friends . Catch up on everything then munching down on great BBQ .
Love the warmth of summer. Will go to Cancun at all inclusive resort. Workout eat, eat, enjoy and sleep!
going to the beach,
Swimming in the pool
Bringing family to the beach and doing some fishing.
Anything outdoors with my family.
Boating and water skiing!
Oddly enough, family reunions.
Always good to catch up with the family!
fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, nothing better to do in the summer then outdoor bonding with my son and teach him everything my father showed me and my brothers when we were kids
Camping in our RV, evening campfires, starlit nights accompanied by the call of the wild, waking up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee.
Fishing