Summer Jewelry Care: Keeping Your Stack Sparkling All Season Long

These warm summer days mean more time outside, more time by the pool, more sunscreen, and more travel. None of that means you need to put your jewelry away until the fall. With the right care, your jewelry can hold up to chlorine at the pool, salty beach air, or an extra-sweaty day in the sun, and still look just as good as it did when summer started. Here's everything you need to know about wearing, cleaning, and traveling with your fine jewelry this season.

Understanding Your Metals and Gemstones

Different materials naturally respond to everyday wear in different ways. Knowing what your jewelry is made of helps you care for it properly and keep it looking its best season after season.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is a timeless metal that develops a natural patina over time. Exposure to air, humidity, sunscreen, oils, and certain chemicals can cause it to tarnish, but the good news is that it’s easy to refresh. A gentle polishing cloth can bring back its shine, and regular wear actually helps prevent heavy tarnishing.

To keep sterling silver looking its best, store pieces in a dry place when not being worn and avoid prolonged exposure to chlorine, saltwater, and harsh cleaning products.

Gold

Gold is one of the most durable metals for everyday wear, but it still benefits from a little care. Our 14k gold pieces are designed to be lived in, though sunscreen, lotions, sweat, and saltwater can leave behind residue that dulls the finish over time.

A quick rinse with warm water and mild soap, followed by a soft cloth, is usually all it takes to restore your gold jewelry’s natural glow.

Platinum

Platinum is naturally strong and resistant to tarnishing, making it a beautiful choice for pieces meant to last a lifetime. Like all precious metals, it can develop a soft patina with wear—a natural part of the metal’s character. Regular cleaning will help maintain its shine, while professional polishing can restore a brighter finish when desired.

Gemstones

Not all gemstones handle summer the same way. Diamonds and sapphires are among the hardest gemstones and are well suited for everyday wear, while softer or more porous stones require extra care.

Pearls, opals, turquoise, and other delicate gemstones can be more sensitive to water, heat, chemicals, and sudden temperature changes. Avoid wearing these pieces in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean, and store them separately to prevent scratches.

When in doubt, treat your most delicate pieces with extra care—especially heirlooms or one-of-a-kind designs.

Best Practices and Cleaning Tips

The safest bet is always to take your jewelry off before swimming. A soft pouch or jewelry case keeps your pieces away from the heat, saltwater, and chemicals that wear on metal and gemstones over time, and it's worth the extra step for anything sentimental, like an engagement ring or heirloom.

If you'd rather keep your jewelry on all summer, that’s fine too, but we recommend a few precautions:

Apply sunscreen first and give it 15 to 20 minutes to soak in before putting your pieces back on
Check clasps and prongs before you get in the water; a loose setting is the easiest way to lose a stone
Rinse with fresh water as soon as you're out to clear away any salt or chlorine, and if you've been sweating, a quick wipe with a soft cloth takes care of any oil buildup

At-home routine cleaning is just as simple. Warm water, a mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush are all you need to gently clear away everyday dirt and keep your pieces bright. Skip harsh cleaners or anything abrasive, which can scratch the metal or dull a stone's finish over time.

And if you're near one of our showrooms, stop by anytime. We'll clean your Marrow pieces free of charge, so they look brand new all summer long.

Traveling with Your Jewelry

Between weekend trips and beach vacations, summer has us packing a bag more than any other time of year, and jewelry takes its own kind of strategy.

Necklaces and chains tangle easily, so keep each piece separated—whether that's a small pouch, a strip of tissue paper, or our favorite trick: looping the chain through a straw to keep it from knotting. For rings, a travel case with individual slots keeps everything secure and scratch-free.

Sentimental pieces deserve a little more thought. Keep them on your body or locked in the hotel safe, never left behind in a suitcase, on a pool chair, or tossed in a beach bag.

A trend we're loving right now? Travel bands. Rather than pack your engagement ring or another piece you'd hate to lose, consider wearing a simple stand-in while you're away. It's an easy way to travel light and stop worrying, knowing your favorite pieces are waiting for you safely at home.

One Last Thing

Our jewelry is made to be loved year-round, but a little extra care goes a long way in the summer. If you're ever unsure how to clean, store, or travel with a piece, our stylists are always happy to help. And if you’re looking for a band you can travel with stress-free, check out our favorite pieces below.