Summer is hard on jewellery. Heat, sweat, sun cream, salt and chlorine all take their toll, and the pieces that survive a season are rarely the most expensive ones — they are the ones chosen sensibly and looked after. Here is what actually works from June to September.
Choose the Base Metal First
In summer the base metal matters more than the design. Stainless steel and titanium steel are hard and corrosion-resistant, which makes them the most forgiving choices when the weather is hot and you are wearing a piece all day. S925 sterling silver is lovely but softer and needs more attention. Brass and unspecified alloys are the ones most likely to disappoint you by August.
Simple Designs Last Longer
The more complicated a piece, the more places there are for sun cream, salt and sand to collect. Flat surfaces wipe clean. Fine chains, deep engraving and glued settings do not. For an everyday summer piece, simpler is genuinely more durable — not just a style preference.
What to Wear
A fine chain necklace you leave on from morning to evening. Small studs or huggie hoops that will not catch on a swimsuit strap or a towel. One or two slim rings rather than a heavy stack that traps sweat and sand. A simple bracelet you can wipe down at the end of the day. That is a complete summer set, and it will see you through a holiday without fuss.
The Part Most Guides Skip
No plated jewellery is waterproof, ours included. Chlorine is the harshest thing your jewellery will meet all year and salt water is not far behind. The single habit that makes the biggest difference to how your pieces look in September is taking them off before you get in the water — pool, sea or shower.
If a piece does get splashed with seawater, rinse it in fresh water and dry it properly. Salt left in a clasp keeps working long after you have left the beach.
Sun Cream and Perfume
Both are harder on plating than water is. Apply them first, let them absorb, then put your jewellery on. This one change in order will do more for the life of a plated piece than any cleaning product.
Our Summer Pieces
Argesteel jewellery is gold-plated or silver-plated fashion jewellery, built on stainless steel, titanium steel, S925 sterling silver, copper or a jewellery alloy depending on the piece — always stated on the product page. For summer we would steer you toward the stainless steel and titanium steel pieces in simple designs. They are water-resistant, they cope with heat and daily wear, and with a little care they will look as good at the end of the season as they did at the start.
A note on care: Argesteel jewellery is gold-plated or silver-plated fashion jewellery. It is water-resistant and copes with everyday splashes, but to protect the finish we recommend removing it before swimming, showering or exercising, and keeping it away from perfume and cosmetics. Care guidance is listed on every product page.
