How to Care for Jewelry in Different Seasons

Much of our jewelry is deeply personal, with certain pieces we wear every day regardless of the season. Your engagement ring and wedding band, a bracelet passed down from a grandparent, or a necklace gifted at your college graduation are all examples of daily-wear jewelry that can be affected by seasonal changes.

How you care for your jewelry plays a big role in how long it lasts and how often it needs repairs. Different metals and gemstones react differently to temperature shifts and varying levels of moisture or dryness in the air. Sharp prongs can snag on bulky clothing, while gemstones may lose their shine when exposed to the chemicals in many summer skincare products. Understanding how to care for your jewelry throughout the seasons is key to preserving your favorite pieces—so let’s take a closer look at season-specific care tips for all types of jewelry.

Spring

Spring is a time for growth and renewal; it’s no different for your jewelry. After a harsh winter and large temperature fluctuations, your body is in recovery mode–and your jewelry may be too.

Clean Off Winter Buildup

During Winter, we often wear more lotion based products to keep our skin from being uncomfortable and dry. A lot of these can be petroleum-based, which is not great for jewelry. The first step in spring is to thoroughly clean your jewelry with a mild cleaner that is appropriate for each piece. You can use a soft toothbrush and warm water to get rid of stubborn dirt. For gemstones that cannot be exposed to water–such as opals or pearls–use a damp cloth instead of submerging them in the cleaning solution. If you don’t have the right tools or don’t feel comfortable cleaning your jewelry yourself, take it to a trusted local jeweler for professional cleaning. This also gives them the opportunity to inspect your pieces for any issues that may need repair.

Watch for Allergic Reactions

Allergies can be very prevalent in springtime due to all the flowers and trees blooming. However your jewelry can trigger allergies too. For more information on jewelry allergies, see What Are the Best (Hypoallergenic) Jewelry Metals for Sensitive Skin? If you start to notice any signs of an allergic reaction, you may want to consider wearing hypoallergenic metals. 

Avoid Gardening Damage

Gardening is a favorite spring pastime, but it’s best done without fine jewelry. Soil and tools can cause damage, and losing or breaking a ring—only to find it decades later—is hardly the way you want to begin your spring.

To be safe, please remove all rings, bracelets, and watches prior to gardening. You may even want to tuck that necklace into your t-shirt.  

Summer

Summer is great for sunshine, the beach, and endless days at the pool. But it’s also the season that puts your jewelry most at risk for damage. Let’s talk about why.

Jewelry and Pools Don’t Mix

A quick swim might seem harmless, but pool chemicals, especially chlorine, can be rough on jewelry. Chlorine doesn’t just dry out your skin and hair—it can also discolor gold, cause surface pitting, and weaken metal alloys, which may result in cracked bands or broken prongs. Sterling silver tarnishes even faster in chlorinated water, and while platinum is more durable, it can still lose its shine.

Gemstones are also at risk. Soft stones such as pearls, opals, and turquoise can discolor, crack, or break after chlorine exposure, especially if they’ve been treated with oils that the chemical strips away. Treated gems are more vulnerable to moisture damage once that protective oil is gone.

Even costume jewelry suffers in chlorinated water. Plating can peel, imitation stones can become cloudy, and the overall finish can be ruined. If you want your jewelry to last, it’s best to enjoy the poolside view from a lounge chair while keeping your pieces safely out of the water.

Sunscreen and Bug Spray

Other summer staples like sunscreen, tanning oil, and bug spray can leave a film on your jewelry, dulling metals and gemstones over time. Pearls are especially vulnerable, as summer products can strip away their protective nacre, causing them to lose both color and luster. Even diamonds can look cloudy if coated in sunscreen, so it’s best to remove your jewelry before applying lotions or oils.

Fall

Fall is a season of transition—bringing changes in weather, wardrobe, and even your jewelry.

Evaluate Your Jewelry

Fall is a good time to go through your jewelry box and clean it out. Make sure there’s no dust in the box and that everything has enough space and is properly stored to avoid scratches. You can also put away summer jewelry, such as ankle bracelets and toe rings, as you won’t need those for a while. We suggest cleaning your fall jewelry, like gemstones and yellow gold toned items. It’s also a good time to have anything repaired that was damaged during the summer months. 

Beware of Tangles

As your clothing gets bulkier and you start layering, take care with long, dainty necklaces or chandelier earrings, as they can easily snag on fabric—and break if they do.

Consider Humidity 

Fall weather will vary depending upon your location. Some areas can be fairly dry while others remain humid beyond the summer. If possible, store your jewelry in an environment where you can control the humidity. Whether you store your jewelry in an air-conditioned room or place a few silica gel packs in your jewelry box, both can help prevent tarnishing caused by humidity.

Winter

Winter brings cold and darkness to many places in the world. It can also bring irritated skin and shrinking fingers that can cause rings to loosen and increase the risk of loss. Let’s talk about how to keep your jewelry safe during these harsh cold months.

Be Careful with Gloves and Rings

We're not discouraging you from wearing gloves in the winter, but we are discouraging you from wearing rings while wearing gloves. Pulling off your gloves can also pull off your rings, especially in cold weather when your rings tend to be looser. The prongs can also get stuck on the glove lining causing them to bend or break. This puts you at risk of losing a valuable diamond or gemstone. It’s best to wear your rings when you don’t plan to also wear gloves. And please never put your ring over a glove.

Combat Dryness

Winter’s dryness can affect both your skin and your jewelry. It may cause irritation where jewelry touches the skin, so be sure to apply lotion regularly (after removing your jewelry). If you have skin sensitivities, stick to hypoallergenic pieces.

Final Thoughts

We want you to wear and enjoy your jewelry as much as possible, but it also needs to be cared for properly. The care your jewelry needs can vary depending on the time of year. Be mindful of the weather and how you can best protect your jewelry from being damaged. A few simple adjustments can make a big difference in how long your jewelry lasts and how often it needs repairs.