Sunshine, beach days, pool hangs, garden projects... summertime is full of golden moments. But while you're soaking up the sun, your jewelry might be soaking up damage you didn't even see coming. From chlorinated pools to sandy toes and sweaty workouts, summer can be tough on fine jewelry.
At Vanscoy, Maurer & Bash Diamond Jewelers in Lancaster, PA, we’re here to help you protect your investment, and your sentimental pieces, with real talk, expert advice, and a few firsthand horror stories from our favorite jewelry lovers.
Whether you're jet-setting to a tropical island or just enjoying a good old-fashioned backyard BBQ, here’s everything you need to know to keep your bling safe, sparkly, and stress-free.
🌊 Skip the Surf (and the Sand)
Can you wear your jewelry in the ocean? Technically, yes. But should you? Absolutely not.
Saltwater can erode metal, dull gemstones, and loosen settings, especially on softer stones like turquoise or opal. Cold water also makes your fingers shrink, making it far too easy for rings to slip off.
Mona says:
"If you are on a weight loss journey, and your engagement ring is getting a smidge loose, don’t wear your engagement ring in the ocean. Your finger might shrink even more if the water is cold, and the ring could slip off. This happened to my niece last October. There might be some lucky crab donning some extra sparkle under the sea! Come to think of it, don’t take your ring on the beach at all!"
We couldn’t agree more. Leave your rings and fine jewelry behind in a safe, secure place before heading out to the shore. Better safe than explaining to your fiancé why a hermit crab now owns your diamond.
🧳 Vacation-Proof Your Jewelry
From TSA trays to beach chairs, vacation is prime time for losing track of your favorite pieces.
Natalie says:
“Highly recommend a ring holder for any kind of travel! I once stored cheap Etsy rings in the cup holder of my beach chair and then proceeded to dump and lose them in the sand once we left the beach (I had forgotten they were in there 🙁).”
To avoid repeating her mistake, try a Lion Latch or other secure travel case.
“My future sister-in-law got me one for Christmas, and I love it! It has a carabiner hook so it can attach to a bag or suitcase. Perfect for travel.”
We also recommend:
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Storing jewelry in soft pouches or travel cases with separate compartments
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Keeping jewelry in your carry-on, never checked luggage
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Leaving irreplaceable or heirloom pieces at home
💦 Pools, Hot Tubs, and Chlorine = No Thanks
A dip in the pool feels great—unless you're a gold ring.
Carol warns:
“Avoid wearing gold jewelry in swimming pools & hot tubs. Chlorine will eat the alloys the gold is cut with and weaken, pitting your gold and making it brittle. It will eat away your prongs and you will lose your gemstones.”
Yikes. That’s a strong case for poolside lounging without the bling. Bonus: sunscreen, sweat, and bug spray can also gunk up your stones, so wipe jewelry clean after wear, or leave it in your air-conditioned suite to be safe.
🏋️♀️ Jewelry + Exercise = Trouble
Summertime means getting beach-body ready, but your jewelry doesn’t need to tag along to spin class or a hike.
Mark Allan says:
“Summertime is ‘workout at the gym’ time, so you look great at the beach. Leave your rings at home when you go to the gym. You’ll look better, but your rings won’t.”
He’s right. Sweat, weights, and repetitive motion can cause wear-and-tear, or even bend your ring. Same goes for:
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Gardening (grit and grime in your prongs!)
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Landscaping projects (hello, lost stones)
“Since your rings can’t help you pull weeds or dig holes, leave them in the house,” Mark says. “They’ll thank you for it.”
☀️ Sunscreen Belongs on Skin, Not Stones
Lindsey says:
“Slather the SPF on your face, not your rings.”
Smart advice. Sunscreen, tanning oils, and lotions leave residue that clouds diamonds and dulls metal. Always apply products first, let them absorb, then put your jewelry on.
🎯 Cornhole Over Horseshoes, Always
We’re all for fun and games, but some summer yard games are better for your jewelry than others.
Jenna says:
“Yes to Cornhole, NO to horseshoes…”
We feel that. Avoid heavy-impact games or anything where a flying object could bash your hand (and your engagement ring) mid-throw. Stick to lawn games that are jewelry-safe, or just take those rings off before game time.
🛡️ Insurance: Because Life Happens
Even with your best efforts, accidents still happen. That’s why jewelry insurance is one of the most important things you can do to protect your investment.
At Vanscoy, Maurer & Bash:
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We offer detailed jewelry appraisals for insurance purposes
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We’ll help you update values on older or inherited pieces
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We can recommend trusted jewelry insurance providers who specialize in coverage for loss, theft, or damage
Trust us, it's peace of mind you want on your side when things get hectic (or sandy).
💎 Visit Us Before, or After, Vacation
Stop by our showroom in Lancaster, PA before your summer getaway! We offer:
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Free jewelry cleanings
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Prong and clasp checks
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Ring resizing
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Repairs and restorations for post-trip mishaps
We’ll help your pieces look amazing and travel safely, no matter your summer plans.
