Does Saltwater and Chlorine harm Jewelry?
learn how to properly care for your favorite summer jewelry pieces
The beach vacation is planned and the pool is waiting, but should the jewelry be worn in the water? Not infrequently the question arises whether jewelry can be worn to pool events without any problems? Or whether it is even harmful to wear the wedding ring as usual while swimming in the sea? The truth is that your precious pieces will be grateful if you give them a little break for these occasions. Because besides the potential danger of your jewelry slipping off easily in the water and getting lost, there are a few other reasons why a day at the beach or pool can be harmful.
sun, sand and salt can damage the metal
Contact with salt water and sand can cause erosion of the metal layer of the jewelry. Gold is naturally a soft metal and cannot be formed into jewelry on its own. Therefore, it is mixed with other metals, such as copper, to transform it into a harder metal. Copper reacts very strongly with salt, making the jewelry vulnerable. The more copper used in gold, the more susceptible the jewelry becomes. Thus, 14-carat gold, for example, is more susceptible to erosion than 18-carat gold. Impacts of this type over a long period of time thus weaken the precious metal - decomposition occurs. This causes discolouration of the metal and increases its susceptibility to breakage. Gold-plated silver pieces are once again particularly vulnerable when they come into contact with salt water, because the water causes the gold coating to tarnish over time. As a result, the golden appearance fades more quickly and the silver under the gold coating becomes visible. It is therefore advisable to use our solid gold Fine Line, as solid gold is much less susceptible to erosion and generally more durable than gold-plated silver pieces.
how does chlorine affect jewelry?
The chlorine in the swimming pool can lead not only to discolouration, but also to a so-called corrosion:
The chlorine may react with the metals mixed with the gold and cause decomposition. This could damage your engagement ring and cause the included diamonds or gemstones to fall out of the setting. To find the ideal diamond for your engagement ring, our blog post Tips for buying diamonds will surely help you further. Or simply book a personal jewelry consultation with us.
what about the gemstones?
Not only the metal, but also gemstones, are susceptible to discolouration when exposed to salt water or chlorine. Damage to the facets and gemstones themselves is a particular problem. The stone can appear dull and less shiny due to stains on the facets, making it appear "dirty." With softer stones, such as amethysts or citrines, sand can abrade the surface. This makes them appear rough and lifeless. Be careful, because all this is even more true for fake gemstones, which are often made of glass. So here it is advisable to fall back on jewelry with real gemstones. Fortunately, we at Pukka Berlin work exclusively with real gemstones, so feel free to check out our pieces with diamonds, sapphires, rubies and moonstones.
tips for maintaining the natural shine of jewelry
After a day at the beach or pool, clean your jewelry with either a soft, damp cloth to wipe away salt and sand residue. Better yet, wash your jewelry as soon as possible with a combination of water, gentle soap and a soft brush. Tips for cleaning jewelry can be found in our blog post Cleaning jewelry yourself. Also, jewelry should be examined and professionally cleaned by a jeweler from time to time. If you follow these tips, you can enjoy your day at the beach without a second thought. So Happy Vacation!
