Helping your Silver Jewelry Survive the Summer

by Judy Ellis, Wire-Sculpture.com

Jewelry Tip May 28, 2014

Helping  your Silver Jewelry Survive the Summer!

As I’ve been prepping for the summer months, I ran across a few wonderful reminders that I’d thought I’d share.

There is nothing better than enjoying the hot summer days, especially when you’re vacationing at the beach or relaxing poolside. While you’re busy enjoying the sun, however, you may not be aware of the toll that the summer season can take on your silver and other metal jewelry. Sunscreen may help protect your skin, but it can potentially harm your jewelry.

Avoid chemicals:

• Before you layer on the SPF, make sure you remove any jewelry that you are wearing.
• Beware of applying lotions and oils while wearing your jewelry, as these can get caught in the crevices and details of your jewelry.
• If these substances remain on your items they can cause tarnishing and make cleaning more difficult.

Keep it shiny!

• Try using one of our Polishing Cloths to keep it bright and shiny!

 

• Sweat and skin oils can diminish the gleam of your silver as well.
• Make it a habit during these hot months to wipe down your jewelry after wear with a plain, non-abrasive cloth. Cleaning your jewelry regularly will help prevent tarnish and keep your collection shining.
• Use anti-tarnish products. Products like anti-tarnish strips, squares, pouches, and boxes protect the items. Look for products that are easy to use, non-toxic, and non-abrasive for best results.

Remove before you take that dive:

• If you prefer to stay poolside instead of the beach, remove your jewelry before you dive in. Why not carry a few small baggies or a small container with you to keep your jewelry safe and secure?

Bead and Gemstone Containers

 

• Chlorine and other pool chemicals can cause discoloration on your silver.

Repair for longer life:

• Wearing jewelry to the beach is always a bit of a risk so make sure your pieces are secure before putting them on.
• Rings can often slide off while swimming and loose clasps can easily open causing your necklaces or bracelets to disappear into the sand.
• Try replacing any loose claps with new closures for a better piece of mind!
  

  Spring Clasp

Storage for your silver:

• When you are done wearing, try storing your silver jewelry in a cool, dry place, preferably away from sunlight. Try using a small organizer or box to keep earrings and necklaces separate, but remember to store them in a baggie to help keep out the tarnish!
  

  Rounded Bottom Plastic Storage Box

 

Protecting your silver jewelry will give it a longer and more beautiful life!

 

Happy Wrapping!

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5 Comments

1. 

   Jane Elizabeth Duke

   May 28, 2014 at 5:48 am

   Judy Ellis you are brilliant once again! I had not thought about my own personal jewelry when going to the beach! I need to pick up some clothes for personal use as well as, containers with the square paper inserts for finish protection! Thanks!
   Jane Elizabeth
2. 

   andrea udell

   May 28, 2014 at 5:50 am

   I have taken to putting those silica packets into the plastic bags with my silver pieces which seems to protect them from any moisture. They come in the boxes when I purchase shoes or handbags and I save them for years! Good luck, Andrea
3. 

   Sandy

   May 28, 2014 at 1:30 pm

   in addition to the silica packets, there’s a fabric called Pacific Silver Cloth, or Silvercloth – used to line flatware drawers. Some big fabric stores have it, and places that sell good china and silver eating/serving utensils, which are subject not only to repeated application of skin oils (and lotion, makeup, etc) but also to dish soap and detergent. It won’t ELIMINATE tarnish but makes a good jewel-box liner to reduce both tarnish and storage scratches.
4. 

   Peggy

   May 28, 2014 at 3:22 pm

   Great info for silver jewelry but what about brass and copper?
5. 

   Kim

   June 16, 2014 at 6:16 pm

   I just love the baggies with the tarnish inhibitor right on the inside of the bag! I have a place on the beach in Hilton Head Island, SC, and love to sleep with my windows open. Well that ocean air made my silver jewelry tarnish just sitting on the dresser top! I took some classes at High Tide Beads while I was there last winter and was complaining about how awful my silver was looking, the owner explained about the ocean air and generously gave me a few of these plastic ziplock bags with the tarnish inhibitor dusted on the inside surface of the bags. I have been using them ever since, even at home in the Midwest. The kindness of strangers!! Thanks High Tide Beads for the education.