When it comes to jewellery, we want to take care of it and make sure it lasts. But sometimes, accidents happen—and that’s where knowing what not to do can come in handy. In this article, we’ll explore some of the things that can damage your jewellery, so you can avoid them.
Lifting heavy weights
Working out with heavy weights can cause serious damage to your fine jewellery. Not only is it easy to accidentally snag a ring or bracelet on any of the machines, but the physical force of lifting those weights can cause damage as well.
The most obvious way that weights can harm your jewellery is by pulling at it, causing the metal to bend and break. Rings in particular are prone to this kind of damage—even if you’re wearing gloves and using proper form, the tremendous forces generated by lifting heavy weights can cause them to deform or even snap off completely.
In addition, sweat and other bodily fluids can corrode delicate parts of rings and bracelets over time. Even in a dry environment, salt from sweat is enough to slowly erode certain metals like silver and gold plating.
Hot tubs & pools
Hot tubs and pools may be the perfect way to relax, but they can also be a nightmare for jewellery. High temperatures in hot tubs can cause metals to expand or contract, potentially weakening their structural integrity or even causing them to break. Similarly, chlorine used in pools can corrode metal and weaken prong settings on rings and bracelets. This means that both hot tubs and pools can cause damage to your jewellery over time.
Given the fact that these two environments are so different yet still pose a threat to your jewellery, it’s important to take precautions when going into either one. It is recommended that you remove and look after any jewellery before going into a hot tub or pool, as this will help prevent any unnecessary damage. When changing from a hot tub environment to a pool environment (or vice versa), give your jewellery some time to adjust to the new temperature—this will help it avoid any extreme changes in temperature that could damage it.
Extensive gardening
Gardening can be a fun and rewarding activity, but it can also be a source of damage to your jewellery. Extensive gardening activities such as digging and raking can cause dirt and debris to get trapped in the settings of rings and bracelets, potentially compromising their structural integrity. Depending on the type of soil in your garden, tiny particles of sand may even abrade the surface of delicate gems. If your pieces get dirt on them, it’s important to clean them properly. Getting ultrasonic jewellery cleaning is the recommended solution in these scenarios.
Moreover, exposure to chemicals used for gardening can damage jewellery over time—these chemicals may contain acids that corrode metals or even dissolve the glue holding together gemstones. Furthermore, certain types of fertilizers might discolour certain gems or tarnish metal surfaces.
Therefore, when doing extensive gardening tasks such as digging or raking, it is best to avoid wearing any jewellery. If you must wear it while gardening, make sure to take extra care while working so that no dirt or debris gets stuck in the settings or stones of your jewellery. In addition, always use protective gloves when handling chemical products used for gardening as these can also harm delicate pieces on contact.
Putting on makeup & lotion
Putting on makeup and applying lotion may seem like an innocuous part of your daily beauty routine, but it can be detrimental to your jewellery. Makeup and lotion both contain oils that can collect on the surface of gems and metals, leaving them looking dull or discoloured. Oils from makeup products such as foundation and lipstick can often get trapped in settings on rings, bracelets, earrings, and other pieces of jewellery, making it difficult to remove without causing damage. Additionally, these oils can interact with the metal itself, corroding the surfaces and weakening their structural integrity over time.
Certain types of cosmetics such as perfumes and hairsprays can also cause significant damage to the jewellery due to their high concentrations of alcohol or chemical agents. These substances can slowly eat away at delicate materials such as gold or silver, reducing their lustre and shine significantly. When it comes to lotions specifically, certain types of lotions are denser than others—these types have higher oil content which makes them more likely to stick onto the surfaces of gems or metals than other varieties.
Conclusion
Jewellery is a beautiful and delicate asset that requires special care to maintain it in its best condition. The wear and tear of everyday activities can have a cumulative effect on jewellery, causing damage to both the metal and stones over time. With some simple precautions, however, you can help protect your jewellery from potential sources of damage such as extensive gardening, makeup application, and lotion use. By taking off any pieces prior to engaging in these activities, you can help maintain the beauty of your jewellery for years to come.
