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Going on holiday with your favourite jewellery

Posted on: 07/12/2023
 

Author: Veronika Kulíková

Summer is a wonderful time for holidays and trips, garden parties or even just a night out with a few friends. All of these occasions directly tempt you to "bring out" jewellery that can easily be combined with colourful summer dresses, outfits or beach fashion. And since the holidays are already in full swing, let's take a look at the rules and pitfalls of wearing more than just antique jewelry during the warmer months.

In general, we always recommend putting away both modern and antique jewellery when you get home, not wearing it during sports, housework, sleeping and sauna sessions for example, and not applying perfume and other cosmetics over it. But in summer, in addition to these activities, we encounter many other situations to which our beloved pieces should not have been exposed.

 

Jewellery and swimming

You guessed it right, jewellery and summer water activities don't go too well together. First of all, it should be pointed out that when swimming in a pool, pond or sea, rings in particular are at risk of being lost, but the clasp of a bracelet or chain can also fail. What cannot be influenced with the greatest care, however, is the chemical composition of the water. In this respect, chlorinated and salt-enriched pools are the most risky, especially for silver. However, it is not just jewellery made of this metal - for example 14-carat gold contains 58.5% pure gold, the remaining metals being mainly copper and - of course - silver.

You know that untreated silver oxidises and develops a patina on its surface. This process is mostly due to sulphur compounds, which are found in the air, but reach much higher concentrations in swimming pool water (not to mention sulphur springs:-). When in contact with this environment, even contemporary gold jewellery can tarnish or develop patterns that are difficult to remove. In addition, antique pieces are often made of a combination of materials, and silver pieces are more easily discolored. Sea water is slightly more friendly to metals, but exposing jewellery to it is also not recommended.

Even for precious stones, bathing poses a risk. Chlorinated or otherwise treated water can be particularly harmful to organic ones such as pearls or coral, and it is not very beneficial to highly porous minerals or hydrogels (e.g. precious opal). The transition from a hot to a cold pool is also problematic, and stones with inclusions (e.g. emeralds) can crack due to temperature shock.

 diamond ring


Jewellery, high temperatures and the sun

That brings us to the next chapter. The hot weather is not only challenging for us, but also for our valuables. Precious metals are not in much danger (just beware of the possible burning of sensitive skin from the heated material!). However, many stones take high temperatures worse, and can dry out and tarnish or fade (pearls, precious opal) or crack (gemstones with inclusions).

Although the summer days off are ideal for sunbathing, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight does not do jewellery with stones any good. In addition to the risks mentioned above, other gemstones - such as dark amethysts or turquoises - are prone to fading or complete discoloration (precious opal).

 

Jewellery and sand

In addition to chemical and physical effects, you should also protect your favourite pieces, especially rings or bracelets, from mechanical damage. Beach sand has a soft feel, but it is mostly quartz grains, which have a Mohs hardness of 7 (so it can be used to scratch glass, but also jade or tanzanite). Not only your precious stones, but also gold and silver can get scratched when building a sand fort with your offspring.

 pearl jewellery


What should you do with your jewellery in the summer? Don't hesitate to wear it!

Luckily, besides the beach, the pool and water sports, we have plenty of other opportunities to decorate ourselves with unique jewellery. A sunny stroll on the boardwalk, a boat ride or a summer dinner with your loved one certainly won't hurt your jewellery, nor will getting your hands wet in a fountain or a splash of sea water. If you don't have your unique antique jewellery for the summer season yet, come to Antiques Cinolter at Maiselova 9. You'll find our doors open every day.

We'll help you look beautiful this summer!