Summer is tough on jewelry. Heat, sweat, sunscreen, salt, and chlorine take their toll on every piece. The jewelry that makes it through a season in good shape is rarely the most expensive — it is the pieces that are chosen wisely and cared for well. That really works from June to September.
Pay attention to the base metal first
In summer, the base metal is more important than the design. Stainless steel and titanium steel are hard and corrosion-resistant, making them the most forgiving materials when it's hot and you are wearing a piece all day. S925 sterling silver is beautiful, but softer and requires more attention. Brass and unspecified alloys are the most likely to disappoint.
Simple designs last longer
The more elaborate a piece, the more places there are for sunscreen, salt, and sand to accumulate. Smooth surfaces can be wiped off — fine chains, deep engravings, and glued settings cannot. For a summer piece that you wear daily, simple is actually more durable, not just a matter of style.
What you should wear
A fine necklace that you leave on from morning until night. Small studs or huggie hoops that don't get caught on swimsuit straps or towels. One or two slim rings instead of a heavy stack where sweat and sand can collect. A simple bracelet that you can wipe off in the evening. That is a complete summer set.
The point most guides leave out
No plated jewelry is waterproof — including ours. Chlorine is the most aggressive substance your jewelry will encounter all year, and saltwater follows closely behind. The one habit that makes the biggest difference: take your jewelry off before you go into the water — pool, sea, or shower.
If saltwater does get on it, rinse the piece with clear water and dry it thoroughly. Salt that remains in the clasp continues to work long after you have left the beach.
Sunscreen and perfume
Both are more harmful to the plating than water. Apply them first, let them absorb, then put on your jewelry. This simple order of operations does more for the lifespan of a plated piece than any care product.
Our summer pieces
Argesteel jewelry is gold-plated or silver-plated fashion jewelry — based on stainless steel, titanium steel, S925 sterling silver, copper, or a jewelry alloy depending on the piece, which is always indicated on the product page. For summer, we recommend the pieces made of stainless steel and titanium steel in simple designs. They are water-resistant, cope well with heat and daily wear, and with a little care, will still look the same at the end of the season as they did at the beginning.
Care note: Argesteel jewelry is gold-plated or silver-plated fashion jewelry. It is water-resistant and can withstand splashes in everyday life. To protect the plating, we recommend taking it off before swimming, showering, or exercising and keeping it away from perfume and cosmetics. You can find care instructions on every product page.
