Wearing jewellery at the beach might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but who wants tea in summer anyway? The elements are not against you and they won’t hurt you if you know how to accessorise the right way. It's true that some pieces might suffer at the beach, and that's exactly what we'll discuss today. Let’s talk about what jewellery to wear at the beach, how to store it, clean it and most importantly, how to rock it!

Dos and Don'ts Of Beach Jewellery

The beach is extremely fun, but it's also messy and overhauling, making it super easy to lose your precious jewellery. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind before you hit the sand.

Durability and Material

Here, you want to ditch your precious gems and delicate pieces because salt is the biggest culprit.

Gemstones

Sand, salt water and even salt in the air can damage gemstones and scratch up precious pearls. So whether you're planning to go into the water, or just want to hang out in a beach city, you'll need to be careful of what you wear. Essentially, durability depends on the hardness of the gemstones. According to the Mohs scale, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and cubic zirconia have a hardness of 7 and above, making them good options for the beach. Gemstones like pearls, opals, amber, malachite and turquoise aren't scratch-resistant and should be kept at home. Do: Wear hard gemstones that are above a 7 on the Mohs scale. Don't: Wear gemstones that are loosely fitted or might fall out.

Metals

Unlike freshwater, salt water is highly corrosive. It can cause metals to tarnish, weaken, and even pit over time. This is especially true for softer metals like sterling silver or certain types of gold alloys used in rose gold or blue gold jewellery. Keep all your plated jewellery at home because the plating is essentially a thin layer of another metal applied to a base metal. This layer can be susceptible to scratches, especially from sand or sharp objects you might encounter at the beach. Instead, focus on water-resistant and long-lasting jewellery options that can withstand the elements. Stainless steel and solid metals are fantastic choices – they can stand up to splashes and sunshine without tarnishing easily. This still doesn’t mean you should wear your fancy, expensive jewellery like a high-tech GMT watch to the beach. They’re just not meant to handle such harsh conditions. You might even consider exploring waterproof threads or woven materials for a more natural and safer look. Incorporate non-metallic materials in your accessories, such as seashells, resin, polymer clay and even ceramic jewellery. Do: Wear stainless steel, non-plated metals, waterproof threads, sea glass, beach pebbles, and polymer clay, and hard gemstones. Don't: Wear sterling silver, copper, pewter, pearls, diamonds and gemstones.

Comfort and Practicality

You might be a maximalist at heart when it comes to fashion, but you'll end up losing a bunch of things. Generally, bulky pieces can get caught on towels or snag on seashells, so opt for minimalist designs that won't hinder your fun. Besides, a funky, chunky necklace will leave behind an equally funky, chunky tan line! One other thing you should consider is shrinkage, especially for rings that tend to slip off as your fingers shrink slightly from the cool ocean water. Maybe take off your precious wedding ring for the big dip! Lastly, wear pieces with sturdy clasps and a snug fit that won't come undone with a rogue wave or a vigorous game of beach volleyball. Do: Choose minimalist and smooth designs with a secure fit and sturdy clasps. Don’t: Wear rings, loose-fitting bracelets and bulky pieces.

Lotions and Creams

Sunscreen and sprays are an important part of the beach routine. They’ll do your skin good, but not your jewellery. In fact, certain ingredients in sunscreens and lotions can react negatively with metals in jewellery. These ingredients can cause tarnishing, discolouration, or even pitting on the surface of the metal. Some gemstones, particularly porous ones like opals, can absorb oils and chemicals from lotions and sunscreens. This can lead to a change in their colour or brilliance. So before you get all blinged up, put on your sunscreen and wait 20 minutes before wearing your jewellery. Or you could avoid certain areas altogether and opt for pieces like earrings or anklets that have less contact with these products. Do: Wear your jewellery after applying sunscreen and letting it dry Don't: Wear jewellery that 'll have a lot of contact with sweat, lotion, and other oils.

Cleaning And Storing Your Jewellery

When you return from the beach, you'll have a strong urge to clean off all the gunk stuck to you. Well, you'll have to do the same for your jewellery too. Here are a few things you should do to preserve your accessories.

Gentle Cleaning

Saltwater and chlorine are no friends to your jewellery. Give your beach beauties a thorough rinse with clean, lukewarm water as soon as you're from your beach day. This removes any lingering salt, sand, or sunscreen residue that could cause tarnishing or dullness. You can also gently clean your jewellery with a mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush. This is especially helpful for pieces with intricate details where sand and grime might get trapped. Once clean, pat your jewellery dry with a soft cloth and let it air dry completely before storing it. Leaving it damp can accelerate tarnishing.

Smart Storage

If you're an avid beach goer, it's best to invest in a  few waterproof pouches to store your beach jewellery. These will keep your treasures safe from sand, sunscreen, and any unexpected splashes. They'll also prevent them from getting tangled or scratched by other items in your beach bag. Keep separate pouches for different types of jewellery (rings, bracelets, necklaces) so you can be organised and know exactly where your precious pieces are instead of guessing. If a beach trip is a one-time thing, then go for a short-term solution: just use a clean and dry zip-loc bag and call it a day!

Bonus Tip: When in Doubt, Leave it Out!

If you're sure what your jewellery is made out of, and that happens a lot when you buy preloved accessories, it's better to just keep it at home. The beach is filled with salt, even in the air, so wearing it out of the water could also have adverse effects. ItIt’setter to be safe than to come home with tarnished metals.

Conclusion

You don't have to go to the beach with naked wrists and fingers. All you need to do is to be mindful of the materials and practicality. The right beach jewellery will uplift your mood and leave you stress-free about the dangers of the elements!