5 Tips to Take Care of Fine Jewelry in the Winter
The winter months bring many festive activities, from social events indoors to the ski slopes outdoors. Here’s what you need to know to keep your fine jewelry sparkling this winter!
1. Beware of gloves, shrinking fingers, and moisturizer
Fingers tend to constrict or shrink in the cold, so be mindful if your ring has a loose fit or easily spins around your finger. Temporary ring guards are a good idea for a better fit during cold months.
Style tip: larger rings are more noticeably felt on hands (especially versus delicate layering rings) and make a bold, gorgeous statement.
Gloves of any kind in all seasons are known culprits in losing rings - particularly if the ring is even a little loose, a ring can slip off with the glove.
Mittens are a better option, as they generate more warmth and reduce fingers from constricting. They are also not as difficult to fit over rings and therefore less likely to slip rings off when you remove them. Either way, regularly check for loose gemstones in settings to ensure prongs do not snag on the inside linings.
Antibacterial hand gels, moisturizers, and oils of any kind can act as a lubricant, enabling rings to easily slip off any time of the year. Remember these are also chemicals, that can damage some gemstones, dull the luster of pearls - and even discolor them. Remain mindful of the products you use to keep your jewelry (and skin!) sparkling and healthy.
BOLD STATEMENT RINGS TO ELEVATE YOUR WINTER WARDROBE
2. How to protect your jewelry during outdoor winter activities
There is always a risk in wearing fine jewelry while playing sports any time of the year, but the ski slopes can be a surprising place to lose your precious jewelry.
Rings can easily fall off fingers that are numb or have shrunk due to cold temperatures. Removing gloves - on or off ski lifts - to adjust ski or snowboarding gear can result in losing a ring if it slips off with a glove. This is especially true in ungroomed, fluffy powder.
Be aware that when you remove your ski helmet, an earring can accidentally come with it.
Hot tubs, saunas, warm baths, or a dip in the pool are restorative activities after a fun day on the slopes. Keep in mind that chlorine and other chemicals can harm some gemstones (i.e. pearls, opals, and oiled emeralds). Exposing beaded gemstone necklaces or bracelets strung with silk to sweat or water of any kind will weaken the silk thread, resulting in the loss of beads.
You may want to consider leaving investment or sentimental jewelry (such as an engagement ring) at home or in a secure place as a precaution.
Pro tip: if you wear jewelry while playing any sports, be sure to check if stones are loose in settings before and after your workout or game to avoid loss or damage.
3. The best way to save your jewelry from snagging on knits
It is always a good idea to check for loose settings and prongs on rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, especially in winter when we begin to layer up with knit sweaters and scarves that can snag on raised details of designs.
NECKLACES - Without realizing it, necklace clasps can easily catch on knitted scarves. They can also accidentally get tangled and snap necklaces, resulting in loss.
EARRINGS - When we unwrap our scarves or pull off sweaters, earrings are susceptible to getting caught and pulled out of our lobes. Especially when coming out of the cold, our ears may be a bit numb and we may not even feel it.
RINGS - To add to what is already described about winter sports, notice if the prongs of your rings are catching on knitted gloves, scarves, or sweaters. That is usually a sign that prongs are loose and need maintenance. Read on to learn about 4 Common Jewelry Repairs… and How to Avoid Them.
A best practice for jewelry is it is the last thing on and the first thing off when dressing. Having fine jewelry professionally cleaned and checked yearly is a good idea.
Style tip: going big and bold with cuffs, necklaces, and earrings is a gorgeous way to make a statement and avoid snags.
Such visible pieces tend to be stronger or more easily felt on your body versus light, dangling, or delicate pieces that may easily get caught on knitted sweaters and scarves.
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4. Earrings are the stars of winter
As we layering up to keep warm with chunky sweaters, coats, scarves, and gloves, earrings are often our most seen jewelry!
While earrings are very much center stage, be mindful that chandelier or elaborate earrings can get caught when removing sweater layers, scarves, and face masks. Studs that sit closely to ears or drop earrings that are not overly complex are a great way to make a statement and avoid being caught on scarves or turtlenecks.
Pro Tip: Screw-back earrings (versus friction posts that push onto the back) are the best way to secure earrings - especially those that are an investment to you! In most cases, a jeweler can easily convert these posts.
DAZZLING EARRINGS TO COMPLEMENT YOUR WINTER STYLE
5. Avoid wearing certain jewelry in extreme temperatures
Some gemstones like opals are sensitive to rapid, extreme changes in temperature and can cause them to crack. This is true for extreme climates ranging from hot summer months to cold winter months.
Avoid leaving jewelry directly exposed to the sun or next to a window for this reason, as well as another obvious reason: security.
Style tip: when in doubt, go bold with gold!
GOLD JEWELRY THAT SPARKLES IN THE WINTER SEASON
A NOTE ON JEWELRY CARE
While jewelry should be cleaned regularly, different gemstones require different care.
Ultrasonic cleaners can crack opals, shatter pearls, or damage gemstones that are treated. For example, such intense cleaning can cause the oil or filler to leach out of emeralds and will diminish the original appearance of the stone.
Pro Tip: personally, I avoid such cleaners entirely and leave more significant cleaning to trustworthy professionals. Such cleaning also involves checking for loose stones in settings or prongs that may need repair.
For gemstones on the Mohs scale at 7 or above, a simple cleaning solution is warm water with mild soap (not detergent) and a soft toothbrush. For those at 6 or below, wiping with a damp soft cloth as needed is the way to clean them. A soft polishing cloth will keep any precious metal looking its best.
Have more questions about caring for your jewelry during winter and beyond? Get in touch!
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