How Weather Can Affect Your Jewelry

Jewelry is precious. Whether it’s an heirloom-quality symbol of love or a fashionable silver necklace, luxurious, well-made jewelry has peerless presence and value. Any threat fine jewelry faces must be noted. While theft and carelessness may be the most well-known threats, the weather can damage jewelry as well. Searing heat and biting cold alike can threaten even an engagement ring’s beauty. Our experts at Albert’s Diamond Jewelers have put together a guide to how it works and what you can do to protect your jewelry.

Spring Showers

In most places, there is more rain in spring than in any other season. Spring rain is not great for jewelry. Water in general can corrode and rust precious metal. Humidity similarly tarnishes metal and gemstones. It is best to keep the jewelry at home on rainy days, but that is not always possible. If you have to go out, you can keep it in a basic plastic bag.

If your jewelry gets soaked, do not dry it with a paper towel. Instead use a microfiber cloth. Since rain is not clean, you may want to give it a light cleaning. Use warm, soapy water and gently scrub it. For particularly dirty situations, a soft-bristled toothbrush might help. Alternatively, go to a local jeweler for professional jewelry repair as they are trained to do it.

Summer Heat

High temperatures mark the presence of summer. In Schererville, it gets up to around 84° in July. Combined with the sunlight, jewelry can get hot fast, which is not good for jewelry. When metal gets hot enough, it gets softer. This causes it to warp, even to the point where it’s uncomfortable to wear. Gemstones are not immune to the effects of heat either. Their beautiful color can fade, making them less sparkly and beautiful.

When you are not wearing your jewelry, store it in a cool dry place. It could be a wardrobe, a closet, or a safe. If you are in public, do not stash jewelry in the car. Not only is this a security issue, but cars get excruciatingly hot. Either keep it on your body or do not bring it. Since it’s summer, you should also be wary of salt and chlorine. A dip in the sea or a pool can tarnish your ring quickly.

Autumn Breeze

Fall is perfect in some people’s eyes. Sometimes the heat of summer and the cold of winter leak into this season, but it’s a great time to wear jewelry. Still pay attention to keep your jewelry in tip-top shape. Note that the weather changes on nature’s whim, so always being prepared is the best situation for your luxury items.

Winter Freeze

It gets cold here in Schererville, all the way down to 19° in February. Like in heat, jewelry does not take too kindly to freezing cold. It especially does not like rapid changes in temperature. If you walk into a hot room after spending hours in the snow, metal becomes relatively brittle. Some delicate gemstones, like opals, can even break. Jewels with a lot of inclusions like low-quality sapphires do not fare well either in fluctuating temperatures.

If there are going to be a lot of temperature changes, leave the jewelry at home. Alternatively, wear a more simple piece. Instead of your favorite ruby station necklace, opt for a minimalist sterling silver chain.

Find Fine Jewelry in Any Weather at Albert’s Diamond Jewelers

Albert’s Diamond Jewelers has been Schereville’s provider of luxury and romance for decades. With a great selection of the finest designer jewelry and timepieces, we keep Indiana fashionable. We also offer our own Albert’s Collections of magnificent jewelry.

Our mission is to help our customers find their way to a life of joy and style. Visit our showroom, or call us at (219) 322-2700 for more information on our services, selection, and story.