A custom east-west marquise pendant designed by Becca
At this point in the Winter, I think I can safely say that we are all longing for Spring weather–and, to be honest, so is your jewelry. Cold air, dry skin, and heavy layers can all take a major toll on your favorite pieces of jewelry. We all know how harsh winter can be on your skin, but did you know that it can wreak havoc on fine jewelry, gemstones, and even precious metals as well? If you find yourself wondering how to protect your jewelry as we continue our long slog towards Spring, read on for some tips on how to keep your jewelry sparkling all season long!
1. Moisturizer (or Hand Sanitizer, Perfume, Hairspray…etc.) First, Jewelry Second
Winter is practically synonymous with dry skin–and, for many, that means lots of lotion to keep skin hydrated. As important as it is, lotions, creams, and oils can all create a massive layer of buildup on diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals, causing them to look dull as the season drags on. These products can also damage your jewelry overtime, so always apply things like lotions, hairspray, perfume, and even hand sanitizer before you apply your jewelry–and don’t forget to wait until everything has fully absorbed into your skin before you do so. This tip is especially important for pieces such as engagement rings, that often have pave (small diamond) settings. Residue from soaps, hand sanitizer, lotions, etc. can quickly collect under the stones, causing your sparkle to lose it’s, well, sparkle. Between lotions, gloves, etc., winter is an excellent time to stop by Gilded Design Studio for a free ring cleaning and inspection to make sure your stones shine brightly, and that your prongs remain strong.
2. Remove Rings before Gloves
Gloves can tug at prongs, loosen stones, or even pull rings right off your fingers without you noticing (this is how my cousin lost her wedding ring!). Before you put on your winter gloves, make you sure you first remove any delicate rings–and make sure you store them safely (not in a purse or coat pocket!). Sweaters and scarves can also cause prongs on necklaces, bracelets, and even longer earrings to catch and become damaged, so it’s important to be aware of that risk as well when you suit up for the cold. If you feel any of your jewelry catching on your clothing more than you remember it doing in the past, it may be that the prongs on your setting (s) may need to be checked, so stop on by our studio so one of our jewelry professionals can take a look at them for you, and ensure that there are no problems.
3. Try to Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes
Extreme temperature shifts, such as going from the freezing outdoors to the toasty interior of a building, while unavoidable to a degree, can cause stress for certain gemstones (such as opals, emeralds, and pearls–softer gemstones such as these are more susceptible to temperature changes). Though diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, keep in mind that temperature changes can also cause settings to expand and contract slightly. Additionally, fingers tend to be slightly smaller when the weather is colder outside, so if your rings feel looser than normal–make sure you are proactive about keeping them safe!
4. Hot Tubs/Chlorine=Bad for Jewelry
We get it–that winter get-away to somewhere warm sounds amazing. Trading the snow for the pool or the hot tub is definitely an alluring idea when it feels like winter has been going on forever, but don’t forget to remove your jewelry before you dive in! Chlorine is notorious for weakening gold, and it can seriously damage your jewelry settings over time. The best rule of thumb? Take a moment to remove all jewelry before taking a soak!
In conclusion, a little extra TLC during the winter months can keep your jewelry sparkling brilliantly all year round. With proper cleaning and inspection (all of which we do here at Gilded Design Studio!), you can rest easy that your favorite pieces will sparkle just as brightly in the winter months as they do in the summer months!
As we prepare to close out this month of love (one of our favorites!), we want to take the time to thank each and every one of you for trusting us to help make your jewelry dreams come true. We are grateful to be a part of your love stories across the years, and we look forward to being part of many more!