How to save your jewellery from the heat as temperatures soar to 28C

Whilst June has been mostly dominated by dreary weather for the UK, the last week of soaring temperatures have been a welcome sight for some.

With the Met Office predicting temperatures ranging up to a sweltering 28°C in Greater Manchester, a jewellery specialist has warned that this this may cause potential threats to both cherished jewellery. The heat poses not only a risk to beloved accessories, but also a threat to personal health.

Anne Marie, a jewellery specialist from Liverpool-based Miltons Diamonds, has shared some essential tips on protecting your jewellery from damage during hot weather, along with important health warnings.

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When caring for jewellery, it is crucial to avoid extensive exposure to direct sunlight, which can cause gemstones such as amethyst, topaz, and rose quartz to lose their lustre or become discoloured irrevocably. A better alternative is to store such treasures in a shaded, cool place when not being worn, she said.

Aside from sun rays themselves, the prolonged presence of salty sweat will likely tarnish metals like silver, as well as causing gemstones to become dull or pitted.

Thermal shock, characterised by a rapid temperature change when moving between outdoor environments and air-conditioned indoor areas, has been seen to crack gemstones such as opal.

Anne Marie warns that ‘while jewellery is a beautiful addition to any outfit, your health and comfort should always come first’, advising users to consider removing accessories if engaging in physical exercise, especially if materials are susceptible to such damage or of significant sentimental value.

Alongside maintaining the aesthetic and integrity of their jewellery, abnormal temperatures can exacerbate skin reactions to metals, causing allergenic metals like nickel to aggressively react with skin. It is therefore important to consider the quality of jewellery at this time of year, opting for hypoallergenic materials including high-karat gold or platinum.

Additionally, regardless of material quality, metal jewellery components such as watch casings or bracelet links can heat up quickly when exposed to the sun, risking skin burns for those wearing them. Milton Diamonds suggests covering these pieces, or rotating them periodically to distribute sun concentration.

Soaring temperatures also commonly cause fingers and other extremities to swell, making rings tight and painful and even possibly leading to circulatory problems. When noticing swelling it is vital to remove constricting items.

Although presumably of less concern, it must be noted that jewellery requires more regular cleaning during the summer season. Heat and sweat often cause grime and salt to build up and cling to intricate designs. This is easily counteracted by cleaning gently with a soft cloth and appropriate cleaning solution.

Suitable storage can also save your treasured pieces provided they are stored in cool, dry places out of reach of direct sunlight. One solution is to purchase soft cloth pouches or a lined jewellery box for those special individual pieces.