Summer Jewelry Care 101: Keep Your Sparkle All Season (and Hauser’s Summer Camp for Jewelry!)

Summer Care Tips – Lotions & Potions: Always apply sunscreen, lotions, perfume, and hairspray first, let everything fully dry or absorb into your skin, and only then put on your jewelry. This simple switcheroo prevents residue buildup on your jewels. If your jewelry does get lotion on it, wipe it down with a clean, soft cloth at the end of the day. And remember to take off jewelry before a serious sweat session (gym time, yard work, etc.) – not only can sweat dull your pieces, but you also risk banging them on equipment or tools. A quick wipe with a soft cloth after wear can remove any sweat or oils and keep your pieces clean. 

Safe Summer Storage & Travel Tips 

When you’re not wearing your jewelry – especially during travel or active outings – proper storage is key. Summer’s heat and humidity can encourage tarnish, so you want to store pieces carefully. Use soft, fabric-lined jewelry boxes or travel cases with separate compartments so items don’t tangle or scratch each other. Humidity control helps too: consider tossing a small silica gel packet in your jewelry box if you live in a humid area or use anti-tarnish strips for silver pieces. 

If summer travels are on the agenda, plan ahead for how to carry your jewelry. I like to use a dedicated travel jewelry organizer: it keeps necklaces untangled, earrings paired, and everything cushioned. Never jumble your nice jewelry loose in a suitcase pocket – that’s asking for scratches or lost items. And if you’re flying, keep jewelry in your carry-on, not checked luggage, for security and peace of mind. (Insider tip: pack a small zip-lock bag or pouch in your beach bag; if you end up needing to take off your jewelry—say, for a spontaneous volleyball game or swim—you have a safe place to put it. By thinking ahead, you can enjoy your vacation and your jewelry without worrying. 

Insurance Insights: Traveling with your precious jewelry? Make sure it’s properly insured. Many people don’t realize that typical homeowners or renters' insurance policies may not fully cover fine jewelry – often those policies only cover theft or fire, and even then, with low limits that might not replace a high-value piece. And accidents happen beyond theft: if you drop your diamond stud down a sink drain or chip a gemstone on a marble countertop, standard insurance might not help. For true peace of mind, consider specialty jewelry insurance (like coverage from Jewelers Mutual Group). These policies can cover loss, damage, mysterious disappearance, and more. It’s relatively affordable (often 1–2% of the item’s value per year) and can save you a lot of heartache. So before you jet off on that dream vacation, double-check your coverage and update any appraisals if needed (more on appraisals below!). 

Cleaning & Maintenance: Preserve that Shine 

Summer fun can mean extra buildup on your jewelry – think sunscreen residue, sand, sweat, and general grime from outdoor activities. Regular cleaning will keep your gems sparkling and also ensure sunscreen or salt doesn’t linger and cause long-term issues. At-home cleaning is easy for most pieces: a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap makes a nice bath for diamond, gold, and sapphire jewelry. Let them soak for a few minutes, then gently scrub crevices with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. (Avoid soaking pearls or very delicate antique pieces – those should just be wiped with a damp cloth, as pearls and silk threads can be weakened by water.) For silver jewelry, a silver polishing cloth works wonders to remove tarnish and restore shine. 

Even with good home care, nothing beats periodic professional cleaning and inspection now and then. In fact, experts recommend scheduling regular professional cleanings and inspections to keep your jewelry in pristine condition. Just like you’d take your car in for service, bringing your jewelry to a professional jeweler every so often means they’ll safely deep-clean it (ultrasonic or steam cleaners can blast away dirt in settings) and, importantly, check for any wear or loose stones. A jeweler might catch a loose prong or a worn clasp before it turns into a lost gemstone disaster. We typically suggest coming in for a check-up every 6 months to a year, and especially after a season like summer if your jewelry saw a lot of action (sand, sun, and sunscreen, oh my!). Your rings, necklaces, and bracelets will thank you for the spa day, and you’ll love how like new they look after a professional polish. 

When to Get Jewelry Appraisals 

Besides cleaning, let’s talk appraisals for a sec. A jewelry appraisal is basically a professional document stating what your piece is worth, which is crucial for insurance. When should you get an appraisal? Any time you have a new piece of significant value, you should have it appraised for insurance coverage (most insurers require an appraisal to issue a policy or rider for the item). Also, if you’ve inherited or been gifted a heirloom, it’s wise to get an appraisal to know its value and insurance. But appraisals aren’t a one-and-done kind of thing – jewelry values fluctuate over time with market prices of gold, platinum, diamonds, etc. The older an appraisal is, the less accurate it might be. In fact, insurance companies and appraisers recommend updating your jewelry appraisals about every 2-3 years. That way, if your piece has gone up in value, you’re not under-insured, or if values have dipped, you’re not overpaying premiums. For example, the price of gold today might be quite different from five years ago; an updated appraisal ensures your insurance reflects the current replacement cost of your item. 

At Hauser’s, we have Certified Gemologists who can provide appraisal services. If it’s been a few years since your last appraisal (or you can’t remember the last time – no judgment!), it might be time to schedule an update. Generally, I tell clients: every two years or after any major change (like you got a ring re-set, added more diamonds, or there was a big jump in metal prices) is a good rule of thumb for appraisals. This keeps your insurance up to date and gives you peace of mind that your jewelry is properly protected. 

Introducing Hauser’s Summer Camp for Jewelry  

Okay, so you’ve heard me talk about all the things to watch out for in summer. You might be thinking, “That’s a lot to keep track of when I just want to relax on vacation!” Trust me, I get it. This is where Hauser’s Summer Camp for Jewelry comes to the rescue! Think of it as summer camp, but for your rings, watches, and heirlooms – a fun little retreat where your jewelry gets pampered while you’re away on your retreat. 

Here’s how it works: Going out of town for a week or two? Bring your precious pieces to us before you leave. While you’re off making memories (sipping lemonade on the beach or exploring a new city), we’ll be giving your jewelry the VIP treatment back home. Our Summer Camp services include: 

When you’re back from vacation, swing by Hauser’s to pick up your refreshed jewelry. We’ll reunite you with your sparkling-clean, inspected, (and maybe newly appraised) pieces – kind of like picking up the kids from camp, except these campers will come home shiny 😉. 

We’re Here for You, All Summer Long