Toxic Love: This One Activity Puts Your Jewelry At Risk
Your jewelry isn't safe, and neither are the stones set in your favorite pieces...
No, I'm not trying to fear-monger over here, but I am sending you a jewelry related PSA and I wanted to get your attention!
Sometimes I get so comfortable in my jewelry I forget I'm even wearing it. But did you know that there is one place you absolutely should not wear your precious metal jewelry?
Swimming pools and hot tubs are the worst places to wear your fine jewelry, especially if it's gold. The chlorine can eat away at the metal, making your jewelry brittle over time, to the point that it can even crack.
Most gold is alloyed with other metals to add strength, and those other metals are what break down in chlorinated water. The weak points in your jewelry--the solder seams--are the most susceptible. Prolonged exposure to chlorine can cause prongs to break, putting your gems at risk. Even high karat gold can tarnish and discolor when exposed to these harsh chemicals.
You might be thinking, I wear mostly silver so what's the big deal? Silver is also alloyed with other metals that are affected by chlorine. And if you have stones in your jewelry they may be vulnerable too--even diamonds!
These warnings aren't just for the pool. Salt-water isn't friendly with precious metals either, so before you take a dip in the ocean take off your jewelry and put it in a safe place.
If this is new information and you've been splashing in the pool all summer in your wedding set or relaxing in the hot tub draped in all your most expensive pieces, don't panic. Knowledge is power! Giving your jewelry a deep clean can help, whether it's in your kitchen or taking them to a jeweler for a professional inspection.
And if, like me, sometimes you forget you have it on simply wash the jewelry in clean water once you get out and gently dry with a soft cloth. Read more about easy ways to clean and care for your jewelry here.
Enjoy those water sports to your heart's content, just remember to take off your jewelry!
Click here to see Fine Artisan Jewelry that also should not be worn in the pool