Can handmade jewelry go swimming in the ocean? What about the pool? Good question.
It’s true that many gemstones like pearls originally come from the sea. Others like opals like some moisture. Other stones don’t like to get wet though. And what about the metals in the jewelry? How would they like the ocean salts or even pool chemicals in the water, for example?
Jewelry from my studio is handmade with real solid precious metals, mainly sterling silver and gold, and is meant to be durable. But salt water and pool water with chemicals are corrosives and are a poor environment for gold and silver.
Even ordinary tap water is damaging to metal. Think about the corrosion we sometimes see on metal shower heads and sink fixtures. And these fixtures typically have a lacquer coating or finish on them. Fine jewelry does not have coatings or lacquers. It is one of the significant charms of fine jewelry that the precious metal is connecting directly with your skin.
No, it’s not about attracting sharks! But it is still very bad. Did you know that rings are frequently lost while swimming? People never even realize it until back on the beach. It is especially common to lose wedding rings and engagement rings this way. Why would this happen?
Wedding and engagement rings are often kept on even when other jewelry is removed, as these rings become a part of our identity. But the elements of heat and cold are a strong force that operate on our bodies in ways we are often unaware of. It turns out that cool or cold water causes hands and fingers to shrink in size. Similarly, hot weather can make hands swell. When the hands shrink, the rings that ordinarily fit well can become loose. As our hands move around in the water, the water itself exerts a force on our bodies. In this way, rings that fit well on the beach can become loose in the cold water and they can slip off gently while swimming. It all happens without the swimmer even realizing it– until it is too late.
Detergents, shampoo, lotions and even damp soil can also cause damage to metal and gemstones. The chemicals and salts in them are corrosive to precious metal. This means that showering, dishwashing and gardening are best done without jewelry. Catch trays for jewelry can become your new best friend! Gloves are the ticket for dishwashing and gardening.
Promptly rinse your jewelry piece in pure water and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasives, silver cloths or tarnish removers meant for silverware. These are too abrasive. If your jewelry needs a bit of polishing, a favorite of mine is the Sunshine polishing cloth (available online). These are not for use on oxidized or blackened jewelry as it will remove the patina. Find out more about caring for your oxidized jewelry.
May you and your beautiful handmade jewelry live happily together for years to come!
