With summer approaching, it's time to start putting away the cold-weather clothing and pulling out all you need: swimsuits, beach cover-ups, short-sleeve shirts, shorts, and open-toed shoes! But one thing we often forget when we head to the beach or lay out in the sun is the impact that it has on our jewelry (and our skin).

Not only does continuing to wear your jewelry in specific environments create the risk of damage, but it can also harm your skin. That's why we have put together some tips to help keep your precious valuables—your jewelry—safe while you enjoy all that fun the sun offers.

Protect Your Jewelry this Summer with These 3 Tips

Summer brings trips to the pool, lazy afternoons at the beach, and hours spent frolicking and playing outside. Unfortunately, all this fun isn't so fun for our jewelry. Our rings, necklaces, watches, bracelets, and everything in between need some added care and thought to protect their value and keep them looking safe all year long.

1. Lock Up Jewelry in the Safe While Traveling

If you plan to hop on a plane or travel long distances away from home this summer, consider leaving fine jewelry at home. Traveling puts you and your wearables at greater risk of theft. Changes in daily habits can make us more forgetful, increasing the risk that we might take off a piece and then forget to put it back on. Let's also not forget the concern of losing rings and other jewelry in the pool—or worse—the ocean. When possible, leave those items at home. 

2. If Jewelry is Coming with You, Wear It 

If you're destined to bring your jewelry, especially when traveling on a plane, the safest thing to do is wear it. You should not check a piece of fine or precious jewelry in your luggage. And even keeping jewelry pieces in your carry-on should be avoided. Accidents—and thefts—do happen.

3. Take Jewelry Off When Applying Sunscreen 

Before applying the sunscreen, remove your jewelry and put it in a safe place that you will remember. For rings in particular, make sure your fingers are dry before putting the rings back on again. Hands can get and stay quite slippery after applying sunscreen. That said, aside from the risk of losing your jewelry, keeping it from coming into too much contact with the sunscreen in the first place is essential. Oils and lotions love to make their way into the crooks and crannies of our beautiful jewelry. This will make your jewelry look dirty but can also inadvertently cause sand and other abrasive substances to harm rings and jewelry.

What To Do For Your Sunscreen-Dirtied Jewelry

Remember how we mentioned that jewelry and sunscreen combined can be dangerous for the skin? It's true. If you accidentally leave sunscreen on jewelry, necklaces, and watches and wear them out in the sun, it can cause a painful rash underneath. 

So, if your jewelry was overexposed to sunscreen and sand this summer, bring it to Bostonian Jewelers. We'll restore your piece to remove harmful elements that can cause further damage.

From your everyday jewelry to the expensive pieces you put on special occasions, jewelry requires cleaning occasionally. Jewelry, unlike our day-to-day clothing, is often overlooked during cleaning because most people believe it retains its shine for a long time.  This belief is untrue, as jewelry can become dull if neglected. Cleaning your jewelry requires special precautions to prevent damage, as over-cleaning can degrade its aesthetic value. 

Keep reading to learn different ways to clean metals and keep your jewelry fresh. As always, contact the professionals at Bostonian Jewelers to get your jewelry properly refurbished. 

How Often Should I Clean My Jewelry?

There is no one-size-fits-all rule to cleaning your jewelry, as it depends on how often it is worn, the last it was cleaned, and how it is stored. Some jewelry attracts more dirt than others and should be cleaned biweekly or monthly, while others don't. The general rule most people abide by is cleaning every two months to ensure it retains its color and shine. 

Tips To Clean Your Jewelry 

Cleaning your jewelry only requires professional help if stated by the jeweler or jewelry company. If you own regular jewelry pieces, the following are ways to keep them clean:-

Use liquid wash to clean your jewelry. 

Your liquid wash is suitable for washing dishes or clothes and can also clean your jewelry if appropriately used. The popular liquid soaks like Blue Dawn can eliminate months and years of dirt embedded deep in your jewelry. Another advantage is these washes are cheap, readily accessible, and can clean most metals, including silver, brass, titanium, gold-fill, and even aluminum, without damage. 

How-To Use:

1. Soak the jewelry in soapy water (containing an equal mixture of liquid wash and water) for several minutes.
2. Lather with the soap and rub the jewelry between your palms gently. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the joints and detailing if your jewelry has any engravings or carvings.
3. Repeat the procedure if the water gets brown or dark.
4. Rinse the jewelry with warm water and allow it to air dry. You can use a hair dryer/blower (on the lowest heat or most relaxed setting) to dry the jewelry. 

Use baking soda to clean your jewelry. 

Baking Soda is a powerful kitchen compound used for baking and even cleaning. It is used in many DIY procedures and has proven effective countless times. Mix baking soda with water and form a thick paste. Rub the paste on your still-dry jewelry for some minutes, and use a soft toothbrush to get the paste into the detailing and other tight corners. Rinse with water and air dry. 

Use plain vinegar to clean your jewelry. 

Vinegar effectively removes tarnishes in copper and brass jewelry. Soak the jewelry in vinegar for a few seconds. Remove the piece and wash with a non-lotion dishwashing soap and water for a few minutes. Rub it gently between your fingers and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry with a clean, lint-free towel to remove water spots, or use the blow dryer in a low setting. Ensure it is properly dry and stored in a fool-proof Ziploc® bag. 

Work with Bostonian Jewelers 

Bostonian Jewelers offers jewelry restoration and repair services. Whether you've uncovered vintage jewelry or forgotten about some beloved jewels that need a touch-up, our experts in Boston are the ones to choose from. Contact us today to schedule a one-on-one consultation.