How to Care for Your Jewellery in Summer

Summer Jewellery Care: Protecting the Pieces You Love

Summer is a season of celebration. From sun filled afternoons and seaside escapes to destination weddings, anniversaries, and evenings spent with the people we love, this is the time of year when our favourite jewellery often becomes part of our most meaningful memories.

Yet summer also brings elements that can affect the brilliance, beauty, and longevity of fine jewellery and watches. Heat, sunscreen, chlorine, saltwater, travel, and everyday outdoor activities can leave their mark if your pieces are not cared for properly.

At La Mine d’Or, we believe every piece tells a story. With a few thoughtful jewellery care habits, you can protect the pieces you love and allow them to shine beautifully through every summer celebration.

How Heat Can Affect Your Jewellery

Fine jewellery is designed to be treasured for a lifetime, but prolonged exposure to heat can affect certain gemstones and delicate materials. Pearls, opals, emeralds, and some treated gemstones may be especially sensitive to extreme temperature changes and direct sunlight.

• To protect your jewellery in summer, avoid leaving pieces in hot cars, near windows, or in direct sun for extended periods.
• When you are not wearing your jewellery, store it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. This simple step helps preserve the colour, surface, and natural beauty of your most cherished pieces.

How to Protect Jewellery from Sunscreen, Lotions, and Perfume

Sunscreen, body oils, lotions, and perfume are summer essentials, but they can create residue on jewellery. This buildup may cause diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals to appear dull, even when the piece itself is perfectly clean underneath.

• For best results, apply sunscreen and skincare first, allow the product to absorb, then put on your jewellery.
• At the end of the day, gently wipe your pieces with a soft, lint free cloth to remove any remaining product. This helps maintain brilliance and keeps your jewellery looking polished throughout the season.

Should You Wear Jewellery in Chlorine?

Chlorine can be harsh on precious metals and may affect the structure of certain jewellery over time. Pool water can be especially concerning for rings, bracelets, and pieces worn frequently, as repeated exposure may weaken settings or dull the finish.

• Before swimming in a pool or relaxing in a hot tub, remove your jewellery and place it in a secure pouch or jewellery travel case. This small habit offers meaningful protection and helps preserve your pieces for future celebrations.

Should You Wear Jewellery in Saltwater?

Saltwater can leave a film on jewellery, reducing sparkle and making metals and gemstones appear less luminous. The ocean can also increase the risk of losing rings, earrings, or bracelets, especially when fingers shrink slightly in cooler water or when waves and movement loosen clasps.

• Before swimming in the ocean, remove your jewellery and store it safely.
• For beach days, consider wearing minimal pieces and leaving your most sentimental or high-value jewellery at home or in a secure location.

Summer Watch Care Tips

Watches often accompany us through every summer occasion, from travel days to evening celebrations. However, heat, moisture, sunscreen, chlorine, and saltwater can affect both the appearance and performance of a timepiece.

To help protect your watch throughout the season, keep these care tips in mind:

• Always check your watch’s water resistance rating before swimming. Water resistant does not always mean suitable for pools, oceans, diving, or hot tubs.
• Avoid exposing your watch to chlorine and saltwater whenever possible, as they can be harsh on straps, seals, and metal finishes.
• If your water resistant watch is exposed to saltwater or chlorine, rinse it gently with fresh water and dry it with a soft cloth.
• Keep leather straps away from water, sunscreen, and excessive perspiration, as moisture and product buildup can cause staining, odour, or premature wear.
• Avoid leaving your watch in direct sunlight or a hot car, as heat may affect the movement, battery, seals, or strap.
• When travelling, store your watch in a protective case and avoid placing it loosely in a bag with other jewellery.
• For mechanical watches, consider having the seals and water resistance checked regularly, especially before summer travel or poolside wear.

With thoughtful care, your timepiece can remain as refined and reliable as the moments it accompanies. 

Travel Jewellery Care: How to Pack Jewellery Safely

Whether you are packing for a weekend away, a destination wedding, or a summer holiday, jewellery should be stored with care. Loose pieces can tangle, scratch, or become damaged in luggage.

• Use a jewellery travel case with separate compartments, or store each piece in its own soft pouch.
• Fasten necklaces before packing to help prevent knots.
• Keep valuable or sentimental pieces in your carry on rather than checked luggage, and bring only the jewellery you truly plan to wear.
• For extra peace of mind, consider taking photos of the pieces you bring with you before travelling. This creates a simple record and can be helpful if anything is misplaced.

How to Clean Jewellery After Summer Wear

After days spent in the sun, jewellery may collect sunscreen, sweat, dust, and traces of salt or chlorine. A gentle cleaning routine can help restore its shine.

• For many gold and diamond pieces, warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap can be used to loosen residue.
• Dry carefully with a soft cloth. Delicate gemstones, pearls, opals, and certain fine jewellery pieces require special care and should not be soaked unless recommended by a professional.

When in doubt, visit La Mine d’Or for expert jewellery cleaning and care advice. Professional cleaning can help restore brilliance while ensuring your settings, clasps, and stones remain secure.

Protect Your Jewellery All Summer Long

Summer is meant to be enjoyed, and your jewellery should be part of the moments that matter. With thoughtful care, you can protect your favourite pieces from heat, sunscreen, chlorine, saltwater, travel, and everyday wear.

Whether you are celebrating an engagement, an anniversary, a wedding, a family milestone, or a quiet golden hour moment, your jewellery carries the beauty of the occasion. Care for it with intention, and it will continue to shine through every season of life and love.

Visit La Mine d’Or for fine jewellery, watches, professional cleaning, and expert care services designed to help preserve the pieces you love most.

Book an appointment with La Mine d’Or to receive personalised jewellery and watch care guidance.