Every season brings its own jewelry questions. In the spring, clients often ask about refreshing their collections. During the holidays, conversations revolve around gift ideas and heirlooms. The warmer months bring a shift in focus. With more time spent outdoors and on the move, your jewelry is exposed to a wider range of activities and environments. Travel, time by the water, sports, celebrations, and everyday summer routines can all affect jewelry.
I enjoy these conversations because they remind me that clients aren't simply buying jewelry, they're living in it. Over the past few months, I've answered many similar questions repeatedly. So, I thought it would be helpful to gather some of my common jewelry FAQs into one place. Consider this a collection of practical jewelry expert advice that everyone can use.
Can I Wear My Wedding Ring While Golfing?
This is easily one of the most common summer questions. My recommendation is no.
Each time you swing the club, force travels through your hands and into your jewelry. Even if nothing seems wrong at first, that repeated motion can slowly affect the security of stones, strain the prongs, and contribute to wear on the setting over time.
This advice applies equally to women wearing diamond engagement rings and men wearing wedding bands. Your ring may look perfectly fine after one round, but repeated impact over months or years can eventually create problems that require jewelry repair.
If possible, leave your rings at home or in a secure place before heading to the course. They'll thank you later.
Is It Okay to Swim With Pearl Earrings?
Pearls are among my favorite gemstones, but they require special care. Unlike diamonds, pearls are organic gems. Their beautiful luster can be affected by chlorine, salt water, sunscreen, perfume, and even perspiration. So pearl jewelry care is so important during the summer months.
Also, pearl stud earrings are often glued into the setting (cup) in addition to the pearl being on a peg – therefore even showing with them is not a good idea.
If you're headed to the beach or pool, I recommend leaving your pearl earrings and jewelry safely at home. You'll protect their natural beauty while avoiding unnecessary exposure to chemicals and moisture.
Can I Sleep Wearing My Jewelry?
Many people do. Personally, I recommend taking your jewelry off before bed whenever possible.
Necklaces can become tangled or stretched overnight. Rings may rub against bedding and gradually wear prongs. Earrings can catch on pillows or sheets. More importantly, giving your jewelry a nightly rest also gives you an opportunity to inspect it.
A quick glance each evening may help you notice a loose stone, worn clasp, or bent prong before it becomes a much larger issue.
Can I Leave My Jewelry Soaking Overnight in Cleaner?
This is another question I hear frequently. The answer is no. Commercial jewelry cleaners are designed for short cleaning sessions, not overnight soaking.
Extended exposure to cleaning solutions may not be appropriate for certain gemstones or finishes. Instead, I recommend warm water, a mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush for routine cleaning.
Gentle care, performed regularly, is usually much more effective than aggressive cleaning. When in doubt, bring your jewelry to a professional.
Why Do Stones Become Loose?
Many people assume loose stones happen suddenly. In reality, they usually loosen gradually. Daily wear slowly affects prongs. Repeated bumps against countertops, gardening tools, exercise equipment, shopping carts, luggage, or even steering wheels all contribute to normal wear over time.
Heat, cold, vibration, and repeated impact also play a role. Fortunately, loose stones are often preventable when identified early during routine inspections. That's another reason I never underestimate the value of preventative care.
Should I Remove Jewelry Before Gardening, Exercising, or Doing Housework?
Absolutely. These activities expose jewelry to far more stress than most people realize.
Gardening introduces dirt, sand, fertilizers, and tools that can scratch metals or loosen stones.
Exercise places repeated pressure on rings while exposing jewelry to perspiration.
Household cleaners often contain chemicals that should never come into contact with fine jewelry.
Whenever your hands are doing physical work, it's usually best to remove your jewelry first. The few extra moments it takes can significantly extend the life of your favorite pieces.
How Can I Safely Travel With Valuable Jewelry?
Summer vacations are wonderful, but they require a bit of planning. When traveling with jewelry, I always encourage clients to pack thoughtfully rather than packing everything.
- Bring only the pieces you realistically expect to wear.
- Store each item separately in a travel jewelry case or soft pouch to prevent scratches and tangled chains. Never toss multiple pieces together into one bag.
- Whenever possible, keep jewelry in your carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage.
- And remember, hotel safes exist for a reason.
The less you have to worry about while you're away, the more you'll enjoy your trip!
The Value of Preventative Jewelry Inspection
One of the greatest lessons I've learned over the years is that the smallest problems often become the biggest repairs.
A loose prong. A worn clasp. A thinning shank. These issues usually develop gradually, making them much easier, and less expensive, to correct when caught early.
Many costly jewelry repair projects can be avoided entirely through routine jewelry inspection and regular maintenance.
Unfortunately, the look of micro-pavé with lots of very tiny diamonds, while very popular, has its problems. Often these tiny diamonds are held in place by tiny prongs. Even I occasionally lose a tiny diamond. Don't fret – it happens to the best of us!
A Closing Thought
I always enjoy answering questions and helping clients better understand how to care for their collections. Often, it’s the small, practical habits that have the greatest impact on preserving your jewelry over time.
Whether you need a routine jewelry inspection or expert advice, I'm always happy to help. Your beautiful jewelry deserves special care. With just a little attention, the pieces you treasure today can continue telling your story for generations to come.
