Does salt water damage jewelry?
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Does salt water damage jewelry?
What is the one thing you wish you had known before spending a fortune on jewelry only to have it fall apart after a few weeks? Damage from salt water is one of the biggest problems that the majority of us encounter. And even though it can be quite restrictive to have to take your jewelry off in certain places due to the potential damage or to not wear any jewelry at all, that may be the best thing you can do to keep your jewelry sparkling.
You want to know that you are getting your money's worth after investing in pricey jewelry, so it is crucial to take all the necessary precautions to ensure that it is protected. Your diamonds and gold jewelry may also be harmed by saltwater in addition to chlorine. Gold, silver, or platinum elements that have been soldered are eroded by salt. As a result, the precious metal may weaken, increasing the likelihood that your jewelry will break.
Related: Waterproof Jewelry: Short Guide
Beach Jewelry
However, don't fret! There are still a lot of ways to wear jewelry while swimming, one of the best ones is, just buying jewelry that is made for the ocean lifestyle. Cape Cod Chokers has an extensive collection that is specifically handcrafted for those who live the ocean lifestyle. Their handmade pieces are made unique, just like every one of its wearers.
How do you wear jewelry at the beach?
When swimming in the ocean, you can wear a wide range of jewelry. While jewelry is vulnerable to the elements, you can still enjoy it at the beach. In fact, many people choose to take their jewelry off before they go to the beach. If you want to wear jewelry while you're on vacation, you should be aware of the jewelry care tips and wear them correctly. I have some advice for wearing jewelry to the beach if you're going to the coast and are unsure of what accessories to pack or think about wearing. It's probably not something you think about all that much.
Saltwater Is Corrosive
Metals will corrode in ocean water and become weaker and tarnished as a result. Jewelry made with blue or rose gold, both of which are gold alloys, is particularly vulnerable to saltwater damage. Copper and iron are the two metals used to make blue and rose gold, both of which are easily corroded by salt.
Most other metals will exhibit less overt signs of corrosion, though it still exists. The best jewelry for handling salt water is made of sterling silver, platinum, gold-filled metals, and solid gold. The salt will weaken thinner areas more quickly, which is the main worry when it comes to saltwater harm to the jewelry. Solder points that hold the prongs for a gem setting are among those more delicate areas. The prongs become looser as the solder points deteriorate, increasing the possibility that you will lose the stones.
Stop Adding Treasure to the Sea
You left all of your jewelry on the beach because you are aware that it is best to take it off before swimming. Obviously, the exception is your wedding ring. You never remove that. But since it's just a plain gold band without any settings to loosen, you know everything will be fine. You lift your hands to brush your facial hair away when you notice the ring is missing.
To keep your organs functioning when your body is cold, the majority of your blood flow is redirected to your core. Your extremities' blood vessels contract as circulation declines, causing them to shrink. Even though the difference is typically too small to see with the naked eye, it's enough to cause a ring to lose its perfect fit and fall off your finger.
The waves themselves might also be to blame for missing or harmed jewelry in addition to temperature changes. In choppy surf, delicate objects like cords or thin chains may break or come loose. When you submerge your head underwater, unbacked earrings could also fall out.
Sea Creatures
Despite the fact that lifeguards constantly scan the water for potential hazards and issue warnings if swimming is unsafe, Oceans are home to a wide variety of animals, some of which can be curious. Making wise jewelry choices can reduce your chances of coming across marine life.
Shiny jewelry can act as a fishing lure in the water. Fish and marine mammals can see contrast very well underwater and can confuse the gleam of metal with that of fish scales. Then they might swim up to look at the light and motion. Even if nothing bad happens as a result of that investigation, you'll probably experience an unsettling adrenaline rush.
How do you clean jewelry after being in the ocean?
Saltwater is another substance that is considered corrosive. Just like erosion happens to the earth, it will happen to your jewelry. If sea weather gets into joints that were soldered, it will start to wear down the metal. So, to prevent any damage from occurring post-beach, use a soft damp cloth to gently wipe off any jewelry you wore at the beach. The natural shine of the metal and stones will be preserved, and any sunscreen, salt, or sand residue will be removed, preventing further corrosion of the jewelry.
Want to know more about this in detail? Here is an article about Jewelry You Can Wear In The Ocean, be sure to check this out as we dive in on a similar subject.