Tips and Tricks
Summer & Your Jewelry: What You Need to Know Before Your Fun In The Sun
Published: May 30, 2026
Summer is FINALLY here — and if you're anything like us, that means your jewelry is coming along for the ride. Pool days, beach trips, backyard cookouts, outdoor weddings... we wear our favorite pieces everywhere this time of year. And honestly? We get it. Why would you take off that bracelet you never want to be without?
But here's the thing: summer is actually one of the toughest seasons on your jewelry. Heat, humidity, chlorine, saltwater, and sunscreen are all working against you. The good news is that a little awareness goes a long way. We're breaking it all down so you can enjoy your summer without your jewelry paying the price.
1. Chlorine is not your ring's friend
We know, we know — taking off your ring at the pool is annoying. But chlorine is genuinely harsh on precious metals, especially gold. Over time, repeated exposure can weaken gold alloys, cause prongs to become brittle, and lead to stones working themselves loose. The American Gem Society actually flags chlorine as one of the most damaging chemicals for fine jewelry.
Our advice? Make it a habit. Leave your jewelry in a small pouch in your bag before you get in the water. You'll stop thinking about it after the second or third time.
Quick tip: If you do forget and take a dip with your ring on, rinse it gently with clean water and dry it thoroughly as soon as possible. Don't let chlorine just sit on your metal.
2. Saltwater is sneaky
Saltwater feels more "natural" than chlorine, so people assume it's safer. It's really not — salt is corrosive, and it can dull the finish on your metal and eat away at certain settings over time. It's also just really good at getting into every tiny crevice of a piece and staying there.
If you're heading to the beach, we'd honestly recommend leaving your fine jewelry at home and rocking something fun and inexpensive instead. Save the good stuff for dinner that night.
3. Sunscreen and lotions: apply first, jewels second
This one is easy to fix and makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Sunscreen, bug spray, and lotions can build up under stones and in setting details, leaving a filmy haze that dulls brilliance over time. The fix is simple: put your products on first, let them absorb for a minute or two, then put your jewelry on. That's it!
Quick tip: Notice your diamond looking a little cloudy lately? Lotion buildup is often the culprit. A quick professional cleaning can make a dramatic difference — come see us in Prince Frederick or Dunkirk and we'll get it sparkling again.
4. Heat and direct sun can do real damage
Certain gemstones — we're looking at you, amethyst, topaz, and some treated stones — can actually fade with prolonged sun exposure. And extreme heat (like leaving your jewelry sitting in a hot car) can affect adhesives used in some settings and cause pearls to crack or peel. When in doubt, store your pieces somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight.
5. End-of-summer checkup: a really good idea
We love when customers come in after a busy summer — not because anything is wrong, but because it's a great time to get everything cleaned and give your pieces a professional once-over. (Plus, we love to hear about what you've been up to!) Prongs get worn down, clasps get weakened, and stones can shift slightly without you even noticing. Catching something small now is so much better than losing a stone later.
We check all of that for you — it's just part of what we do.
Have questions about a specific piece, or want to bring something in for a cleaning before the summer really gets going? Come see us in Prince Frederick or Dunkirk — we're always happy to take a look and help you figure out the best way to keep your jewelry looking its best all season long.
But here's the thing: summer is actually one of the toughest seasons on your jewelry. Heat, humidity, chlorine, saltwater, and sunscreen are all working against you. The good news is that a little awareness goes a long way. We're breaking it all down so you can enjoy your summer without your jewelry paying the price.
1. Chlorine is not your ring's friend
We know, we know — taking off your ring at the pool is annoying. But chlorine is genuinely harsh on precious metals, especially gold. Over time, repeated exposure can weaken gold alloys, cause prongs to become brittle, and lead to stones working themselves loose. The American Gem Society actually flags chlorine as one of the most damaging chemicals for fine jewelry.
Our advice? Make it a habit. Leave your jewelry in a small pouch in your bag before you get in the water. You'll stop thinking about it after the second or third time.
Quick tip: If you do forget and take a dip with your ring on, rinse it gently with clean water and dry it thoroughly as soon as possible. Don't let chlorine just sit on your metal.
2. Saltwater is sneaky
Saltwater feels more "natural" than chlorine, so people assume it's safer. It's really not — salt is corrosive, and it can dull the finish on your metal and eat away at certain settings over time. It's also just really good at getting into every tiny crevice of a piece and staying there.
If you're heading to the beach, we'd honestly recommend leaving your fine jewelry at home and rocking something fun and inexpensive instead. Save the good stuff for dinner that night.
3. Sunscreen and lotions: apply first, jewels second
This one is easy to fix and makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Sunscreen, bug spray, and lotions can build up under stones and in setting details, leaving a filmy haze that dulls brilliance over time. The fix is simple: put your products on first, let them absorb for a minute or two, then put your jewelry on. That's it!
Quick tip: Notice your diamond looking a little cloudy lately? Lotion buildup is often the culprit. A quick professional cleaning can make a dramatic difference — come see us in Prince Frederick or Dunkirk and we'll get it sparkling again.
4. Heat and direct sun can do real damage
Certain gemstones — we're looking at you, amethyst, topaz, and some treated stones — can actually fade with prolonged sun exposure. And extreme heat (like leaving your jewelry sitting in a hot car) can affect adhesives used in some settings and cause pearls to crack or peel. When in doubt, store your pieces somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight.
5. End-of-summer checkup: a really good idea
We love when customers come in after a busy summer — not because anything is wrong, but because it's a great time to get everything cleaned and give your pieces a professional once-over. (Plus, we love to hear about what you've been up to!) Prongs get worn down, clasps get weakened, and stones can shift slightly without you even noticing. Catching something small now is so much better than losing a stone later.
We check all of that for you — it's just part of what we do.
Have questions about a specific piece, or want to bring something in for a cleaning before the summer really gets going? Come see us in Prince Frederick or Dunkirk — we're always happy to take a look and help you figure out the best way to keep your jewelry looking its best all season long.