When you are about to plunge in, you wonder....
Can my new handmade jewelry get wet? Or would it be best to take it off before swimming or showering?
Now many gemstones like pearls originally come from the sea. Others like opals like some moisture. A lovely piece like this Green Goddess Ring would look marvelous on your hand in flowing water, right? But what about metals and salts, for example?
Your handmade jewelry from my studio is made with real solid metals. Pure fresh water won’t damage your solid metals. But salt water and tap water with minerals in it are a different story. Think about the corrosion we see on metal shower heads and sink fixtures. And these fixtures typically have a lacquer on them whereas fine jewelry does not.
Jewelry Can Get Wet in Many Ways
Lotions, detergents and damp soil can also cause damage to metal and gemstones. This means that dishwashing and gardening are best done without jewelry.
If Your Handmade Jewelry Gets Wet–What To Do
Promptly rinse in pure water and dry with a soft cloth. Do not use abrasives, silver cloths or tarnish removers.
So What About Swimming?
Finally, swimming. Did you know that rings, and especially wedding and engagement rings, are frequently lost while swimming? Why would this happen?
Wedding and engagement rings are often worn during sports even when other jewelry is removed. It turns out that cool or cold water causes hands and fingers to shrink in size. Just as hot weather can make hands swell. When the hands shrink, the rings that ordinarily fit well become loose. As the hands are moved around in the water the rings can slip off without the swimmer realizing it– until it is too late.
May you and your beautiful handmade jewelry be together for years to come!