Summer is Here! Protect Your Jewelry Investment.

Summertime is here and with it comes potential hazards to your permanent jewelry. Here are a few of those hazards and how to protect your jewelry investment.

• POOLS & HOT TUBS: the chemicals that are used to keep pools and hot tubs clean don’t mix well with ANY jewelry. When you get out of the water, make sure you wash off your jewelry with a mild soap and water. Chlorine in particular can cause air pockets in the metal and after prolonged exposure (with no maintenance) the metal will disintegrate. Salt water (pool or ocean) have the same affect.

• BODY CHEMISTRY: hormones vary from person to person and for some people, less than 10% of people, their body chemistry may not mix well with 14K gold filled or sterling silver so you will see jewelry tarnishing a bit quicker. If this is the case, you’ll have to clean your jewelry more often. Click here to watch a permanent jewelry cleaning video.

• SWEAT: sweat contains all kinds of chemicals and salt, both of which create a harsh environment for your jewelry. So, after exercise make sure to wash off your jewelry with a mild soap and water.

• PRODUCTS: This includes things like beauty products, perfumes, lotions, nail polish remover, etc. It is best to minimize these products ending up on our jewelry.

• SUNSCREEN: sunscreen is not a friend of 14K gold-fill (or any jewelry). It is always best to avoid getting sunscreen on your jewelry, it is one of the worst culprits in this category. Spray-on tanning products can permanently discolor your jewelry. To protect your jewelry, loosely place a piece of plastic-wrap around your wrist (or ankle) and move the bracelet on it, then wrap the plastic-wrap around … enclosing the jewelry inside.

• CLEANING SUPPLIES: Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can harm your jewelry so it is always a good idea to cover your jewelry to avoid contact with a cleaning product.

Please note our jewelry is lead and nickel free, which are the most common materials to cause allergic reactions to jewelry.  If you have any issues, please contact Links by Lena. We purchase quality chains and want you to enjoy them for months and years. No jewelry is invincible, but talk to your designer and they can help guide you to the best materials for your active life.