How To Protect Your Jewelry From Chlorine Damage
Your jewelry isn't just an accessory, it's a treasured part of your personal style and often holds deep sentimental value.
But did you know that something as common as chlorine could be silently damaging your precious pieces? Let's dive into the hidden dangers of chlorine and learn how to keep your jewelry sparkling for years to come.
How Chlorine Destroys Your Jewelry
Chlorine is everywhere, especially in pools, hot tubs, and even some cleaning products. While it keeps our water clean, it's a formidable enemy to your jewelry. Here's why:Chlorine triggers chemical reactions that break down metal alloys in jewelry, creates microscopic bubbles in the metal making it brittle, and weakens the structure, causing prongs to loosen and settings to disintegrate, which can destabilize gemstones. Additionally, chlorine tarnishes and discolors gemstones, diminishing their brilliance.
- Chemical Reaction - Chlorine triggers a reaction that breaks down metal alloys in jewelry.
- Structural Damage - It creates microscopic bubbles in the metal, making it brittle.
- Weakening - Prongs can loosen, settings may disintegrate, and gemstones can become unstable.
- Aesthetic Impact - Chlorine can tarnish and discolor gemstones, diminishing their brilliance.
The Chlorine Vulnerability Scale
Not all metals are equally resistant to chlorine. Pure gold is relatively resistant but rarely used in jewelry, karat gold is vulnerable due to its alloy content, and sterling silver is highly susceptible to chlorine damage.- Pure Gold: Relatively resistant (but rarely used in jewelry)
- Karat Gold: Vulnerable due to alloy content
- Sterling Silver: Highly susceptible to chlorine damage
5 Essential Tips to Safeguard Your Jewelry
To protect your jewelry, always remove it before swimming or soaking in pools and hot tubs. Take off rings when using household chemicals, and wear gloves while dishwashing to protect both your hands and jewelry. Schedule annual inspections with a professional jeweler, and if exposed to chlorine, rinse thoroughly and wash with mild soap.- Pool and Hot Tub Protocol: Always remove jewelry before swimming or soaking.
- Cleaning Caution: Take off rings when using household chemicals.
- Dishwashing Defense: Wear gloves to protect both hands and jewelry.
- Regular Check-ups: Schedule annual inspections with us at Morin Jewelers.
- Quick Action: If exposed to chlorine, rinse the jewelry thoroughly and wash with mild soap.
What to Do After Accidental Chlorine Exposure
If your jewelry has been exposed to chlorine, immediately rinse it in clean water, gently wash with a mild dish soap solution, soak your jewelry for 15-20 minutes, rinse thoroughly again, and consult a professional jeweler for an assessment.- Rinse the jewelry piece in clean water immediately.
- Gently wash with a mild dish soap solution.
- Soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse again thoroughly.
- Schedule a free inspection appointment with Morin Jewelers for an assessment.
The Importance of Jewelry Inspection
Regular jewelry maintenance checkups by Morin Jewelers can identify early signs of chlorine damage, provide necessary repairs before issues worsen, offer professional cleaning to restore brilliance, and advise on proper care techniques.- Identify early signs of chlorine damage
- Provide necessary repairs before issues worsen
- Offer professional cleaning to restore brilliance
- Advise on proper care techniques
Schedule a Free Cleaning & Inspection at Morin Jewelers
Scheduling your free cleaning and inspection at Morin Jewelers is simple, quick, and convenient!- Visit Our Website: Head to our website and navigate to the “Make an Appointment” section.
- Call or Text Us: Prefer to speak to someone directly? Give us a call or text at 508-764-7250, and our friendly staff will assist you in setting up an appointment.
- Walk-Ins Welcome: If you're in the neighborhood, feel free to drop by our store! You can find our address HERE.
Shop Our Summer Collection
Cape Cod line is the perfect accessory for your summer adventures. Explore our latest jewrly pieces to elevate your summer style!- Shop our beautiful Cape Code jewelry.
