Yahoo News Expert issues warning against wearing jewellery on holiday
Holiday season has finally arrived as people head abroad for a taste of the sun. While making sure your outfits are complete with added jewellery, you could face some problems if they’re not looked after properly.
Apart from the prospect of losing an item of jewellery, there are a few potential dangers of damage when enjoying your usual holiday activities. Nilesh Rakholia, jewellery expert and founder of London-based store Abelini, had shared advice about the potential damage caused by swimming, sand and sun cream.
So as you get your packing prepared for your holiday, be sure to take extra precautions when considering which jewellery to take - and when you decide to wear pieces.
Going for a swim
Whether you plan on taking a dip in the pool or want to swim out to sea, you might want to keep your jewellery on dry land. But chemicals found in swimming pools, such as chlorine, or even salt water, could do more damage than you realise.
Nilesh said: “Whilst pure gold shouldn’t necessarily be impacted by chlorine, alloys and other metals can be heavily damaged by exposure to chemicals. Silver for example doesn’t fare well in a swimming pool, as the chlorine can cause it to tarnish. Chlorine can also cause gemstones to become permanently discoloured.
“It’s a similar story with salt water - salt is corrosive to metal and can cause serious damage to both the metal and the gemstones.”
If this does happen, all you need to do is gently rinse your pieces in fresh water and lightly buff the gemstones to polish them. Swimming with jewellery not only puts your items at risk of damage but also of loss.
If you drop a ring or lose an earring, the likelihood of finding them again in the ocean is virtually impossible. To keep your belongings safe, it’s best to keep them on dry land somewhere safe and secure.
Beware of sand particles
The idea of sand is a lovely one, until you have to shower it off from every nook and cranny. Sand can also pose a problem for precious metals and stones, causing them to get scratched.
Nilesh said: “If you’re more of a sunbather than a swimmer - it’s important to be mindful of the impact that sand can have on your jewellery. Sand is made from tiny particles which can be abrasive to precious metals and stones, causing scratches and imperfections which make the jewellery appear dull.
“Again, we’d advise not wearing your jewellery to the beach - but if you do, always give it a polish afterwards to restore the shine.”
Suncream
Lathering yourself with suncream is vital to protect your skin, but doesn’t have the same effect on your jewellery. Nilesh said: “Suncream, moisturiser and other lotions and liquids, can dull the appearance of shiny jewellery and gemstones. They can also make the piece become sticky, attracting dirt and particles, such as sand, which can cause further damage.”
By getting suncream stuck in small crevices surrounding gemstones, it becomes difficult to clean. To avoid any problems, simply remove your jewellery when applying your SPF of choice and allow to dry before putting your accessories back on.
