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To accompany We Are Not a Shop’s recent campaign of summer jewellery, we thought it would be beneficial to do our research and bring you the best advice there is on how to keep your jewellery looking great during these hot months. So, without further ado, here are the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to protecting your jewellery.

SAND SCRATCHES

When going to the beach, be careful about exposing your jewellery to sand. Since sand is essentially just little pieces of rough dirt, some of your jewellery – especially gemstones – can get scratched.

SUNSCREEN DAMPENS

While it’s always advisable to apply sunscreen to your body to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, it’s best to keep it away from your jewellery, as it can coat gemstones and significantly reduce their shine. If you get any sunscreen on your jewellery, be sure to clean them regularly.

OTHER ELEMENTS

This also goes for sea salt, chlorine (which can discolour gold and platinum, as well as erode a gemstone’s polish), sweat, bug spray, and long exposure to the sun. If you know you’re going to spend long periods of time in the vicinity of any chemicals or abrasives, be wise about which jewellery you decide to wear.

Protect your valuables while relaxing at the beach by hiding them in this Tansafe Beach Safe, a curious little invention that’s designed to look like an ordinary bottle of sunblock.

PRISTINE PEARLS

That being said, pearls, which are vulnerable in excessive heat, can actually benefit from sweat. Pearls are porous, and the moisture from our skins can keep them lubricated, maintaining their lustre, and thus preventing them from drying out and cracking. However, this doesn’t apply to everything. Turquoise and coral are also porous, but, in the case of the former, exposure to the body’s natural oils can cause darkening.

CAREFUL CLEANING

When you’re not wearing your jewellery, wipe after every use. Clean with a mild soap diluted with water for a deep cleaning (though this will probably never replace professional cleaning services offered by jewellers) and store them in a clean, dry place. For silver jewellery, store them with anti-tarnish strips or even silica packets. This will take any lingering moisture away if they’ve been exposed to water, preventing the silver from tarnishing or rusting.

SAFE STORAGE

While you’re at it, not all jewellery should be stored in the same place. For example, keep diamonds away from pearls, as the diamonds could end up scratching the pearls. Keep individual items in separate cloth bags, or you could even invest in a luxurious fabric box to prevent scratches all around.

Store your jewellery safely in this gorgeous handmade 1950s jewellery box, made from wood and covered in green velvet and floral-themed fabric.

BE WARY OF BRASS

Brass jewellery tends to leave a green residue on the skin after long periods of contact. While not a health hazard, it does look rather unsightly. Luckily, any brass jewellery available at We Are Not a Shop is plated in either silver or gold to avoid any public embarrassments.

ALWAYS INSURE

When you’re travelling abroad and taking valuable jewellery with you, make sure that it’s insured and that your hotel room stores a safety deposit box. It’s also wise to take a selfie of yourself wearing the jewellery as proof that it was in your possession during the trip.

HOT & COLD

When it comes to ring jewellery, remember that fingers swell in the heat, which can make wearing them uncomfortable or even painful. What’s more, once you go for a quick plunge in the sea to cool off, the cold water will cause your fingers to shrink, putting you at risk of your rings slipping off.

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