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June 18, 2018
Well folks, it’s finally here! We’re officially entering my favorite time of year - summer!
There is so much that I love about this season, even in the blistering Tucson heat. While that tenacious heat fills the air here (bring on the monsoon season, Arizona!), I know that summer is so wonderfully different in different parts of the country. Growing up in the south, I loved how the vegetation was verdant and flowering all around. In San Francisco, summer brought fog and chilly evenings. Regardless, there are endless activities to keep us busy like swimming, hiking, biking, camping (or, glamping as I prefer these days), getting hands dirty in the garden, floating on the lake and in the ocean - the list goes on. There’s every reason to enjoy all the parts of this season in every part of our beautiful country.
But, if you're someone who’s inclined to wear her valuable jewelry year-round, it’s also helpful to understand how to best protect your jewelry against the - at-times -harsh elements that are present during these warmer, more active months.
What are the culprits?
Being that summer is often synonymous with time spent outside, keep in mind that the following are all things that can damage your jewelry:
Ok, so we’ve identified the culprits. Now let’s get proactive about how to protect your jewelry around these elements! Follow these 4 simple tips to keep your precious pieces protected and leave you with peace of mind.
Avoid Heat & Moisture
Do your best to store your jewelry in cool, dry places free from moisture. Keeping them out of direct sunlight and away from excessively damp areas (I’m talking to you bathrooms!) will improve their shelf life. It probably goes without saying but this also means no swimming or hot tub soaking with them on either! Packaging them individually is always a wise idea as well, especially when traveling as it will keep them from bumping up against one another and scratching, denting, or breaking.
Get Ready In Stages
When going outside for the day, always apply your moisturizers, sunscreens, bug sprays, etc before putting on your jewelry. Be sure to wait long enough for said lotion, spray, or gel to become fully absorbed before your jewelry goes on. This will lessen the likelihood that these pieces become “gunked up” with excess residue. When the day is done, remove your jewelry before washing up and applying night lotions and creams.
Clean & Polish
You ought to clean and polish your jewelry every 3 to 6 months, but during the summer months, when jewelry is exposed to particularly harsh elements, it’s helpful to break out the polishing cloth and fine jewelry-specific cleaning compound every week or two to give your pieces some extra TLC and shine. At times, washing your jewels gently in warm water with an approved solution (like a few drops of mild dish-washing liquid) will do wonders to maintain the quality of the piece(s). Have your jewelry cleaned professionally at least once every year. The end of summer is a perfect time for that!
When In Doubt, Leave It Out!
If the activities on your agenda are really threatening to your precious pieces, the best way you can protect your jewelry is to simply not wear it. I know it’s never ideal to go through a day feeling bare, especially when our jewelry is such a wonderful aspect of our self-expression, but if the event calls for excessive exposure to any of the above culprits, go ahead and give your jewels the day off.
How do you keep your jewelry protected in the summer months??
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