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!
Harvesting the garden, and the meals that follow!
I live in St. Petersburg, FL, about three miles from Madeira Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. In other words, I live within the area I call paradise. Therefore, any outside activity here I enjoy, especially when it involves The Gulf. A favorite of mine is to go to an area called John’s Pass. It is an area on the Gulf on an inlet that separates Madeira Beach from the next beach town called Treasure Island. It consists of many shops and restaurants on a boardwalk and within the village itself. Having a bite to eat directly on the inlet with a view of the Gulf.is my favorite activity.
Laying down in an open field watching the air planes pass by.
NASCAR racing and camping at the beach
I love the summer night as I look out the window and watch the “lightning bugs” twinkle in the darkness, but nothing better than to wake up at day light to the calls of the “BIRD” choir
singing at the top of their voices. Waiting for their Breakfast buffet that I carry to them each day.
Sometimes as many as 20 Cardinals shows up along with a large variety of others.,such as four
squirrels and three rabbits. Yes, I count my blessing as I see them.
Summer means fresh veggies straight from the garden and canning the extras. I love the nostalgia of gardening and canning. Another favorite is spending the day at the lake with the nieces and nephews.
Counting my free silver
Road trips to the gulf, fishing, and laying on the beach!
My favorite summer activity is going on an adventure, in another country, if possible!! Hope to add this silver to my stack! 🙂
Thank you
Living in Montana, I really enjoy camping. We take our 3 yr old daughter and she has a blast.
Telescope under the stars.
Setting in our woods,like I’m doing now,also fishing,metal detecting,and weekend picnics in our woods is some relaxing summer activities I love to do. I have found old silver coins in our woods
Fly fishing in a cool mountain stream.
Being outside doing anything with water
driving with the windows down
My grandson was just born. I’m looking for to taking him to his first zoo this summer.
Floating the illinois river whilest camping in a cabin and doing the ole cookout with family and friends
Cruising the lake in our pontoon with our kids is one of the best summer activities I can think of.
As a retired US Army soldier as well as a retired high school counselor I value the summer above all other seasons. It affords my family and I to travel much more than any other time of the year. We enjoy swimming and hanging out at the beach as much as possible.
Enjoying the sun, air and the rain, down here in sunny florida.
being outside and enjoying God’s creations
In the summer, nothing beats sitting on my from porch swing listening to the birds with a cold beverage in hand. Wow… I’m getting old
Live in south florida for 40 years. Enough sun! Inside with the ac at 69 and a cherry vodka!
Playing catch with my son in the evening till it gets too dark to see the ball
My girlfriend and I keep moving in summer, so when we can catch a break from the house hunt, we love to go down to the river and take a dip! After that, grabbing some shaved ice and going for a walk rounds out a great summer day for us!
Spending time at the Jersey shore!
When it gets over 100 degrees in Bakersfield California I love to take my family up to the mountains to hike and picnic by a cool fast flowing stream. We enjoy the pine forest, butterflies and wildflowers. My son loves to climb on big boulders and we all enjoy bird-watching!
Summer is all about the water. Going to the beach, boating, and jet skis. Also eating local seafood.
First time in 6 years… no Boy Scout camp this summer! My son got an internship with the Park Rangers. I’ll be having a martini poolside!
I live in Historical New Richmond, Ohio, which had a big role in the Underground Railroad so I love metal detecting for treasures from the past also, feeding the ducks down by the river in the village with my 3 and 4 year old grandbabies and looking at the stars at night with my 12 year old grandson and trying to find the satellites.