How to Care for Jewelry in Florida's Salt, Sun & Humidity
Living in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens means beach mornings at Carlin Park, sunsets by the Jupiter Inlet, and a little bit of salt in the air every single day. We wouldn't trade it. Your jewelry, though, has some notes.
Salt water, chlorine, sunscreen, strong sun and that famous South Florida humidity all wear on jewelry faster than you'd think. The good news: a few small habits keep your pieces looking the way they did the day you picked them up from our pop-up table. Here's what we tell our customers.
Rule #1: Take it off before the ocean or the pool
This is the big one. Salt water and pool chlorine are tough on almost everything we make:
- Stretch cord loses its bounce faster when it's soaked over and over in salt or chlorine.
- Porous stones like turquoise, malachite, lapis lazuli, howlite and lava stone can soak up water and chemicals, which dulls their color and polish over time.
- Gold-coated metal wears thin faster with every swim.
Headed to Juno Beach, Coral Cove or a backyard pool? Slip your bracelets into a pouch or the zip pocket of your beach bag before you get in. Your future self will thank you.
Rule #2: Sunscreen, lotion and bug spray go on first
Florida runs on SPF, but sunscreen and bug spray leave a film on stones and can cloud enamel and metal finishes. The fix is simple: lotions first, jewelry last. Give everything a few minutes to dry before you put your pieces on. The same goes for perfume and hairspray.
Rule #3: Don't let your crystals sunbathe
Some crystals slowly fade in strong, direct sunlight. Amethyst, rose quartz and fluorite are the most sensitive. Wearing them outside is totally fine; what fades them is hours of direct sun day after day.
So skip the sunny windowsill, and never leave your jewelry on the dashboard. A parked car in Palm Beach County gets hot enough to fade stones and weaken stretch cord. A drawer, a jewelry dish or a pouch is a much happier home.
Rule #4: Beat the humidity
Humidity is what makes metal tarnish and finishes dull. A few easy fixes:
- Store pieces dry. Wipe them off after a sweaty day before putting them away.
- Use a small zip bag or lidded box, and toss in one of those silica gel packets that come in shoe boxes. They soak up moisture.
- Keep pieces separate so harder stones don't scratch softer ones, and chains don't tangle.
Most of our earring hooks and many of our charms are stainless steel, which stands up to Florida weather really well and doesn't tarnish easily. Gold-coated pieces just need a little extra care: keep them dry and away from chemicals and the color lasts much longer.
How to clean your pieces, by material
When something needs a refresh, gentle is the way to go.
Crystal and gemstone bracelets
Wipe the beads with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth, then let the bracelet air-dry flat. Don't soak them, don't use jewelry dips, and skip ultrasonic cleaners. They're too harsh for stretch cord and porous stones. Hematite in particular is best kept dry, since long soaks can dull its mirror shine.
Stainless steel earrings and charms
A little mild soap and warm water, a soft cloth, and a thorough dry. Stainless steel is low-maintenance, which is exactly why we love it for earrings.
Enamel pins
A damp cloth on the front is all they need. Keep the rubber clutch on the back when you're not wearing them so the post doesn't poke anything (or anyone).
Patches and trucker hats
Spot clean with a damp cloth and a tiny bit of mild soap, and let them air-dry out of direct sun.
Selenite trays
Selenite is the one material you should never get wet. It's very soft and water slowly damages it. Just dust it with a dry cloth. Many of our customers like to rest their crystal jewelry on a selenite charging tray overnight. Even if you're not into the ritual, it's a pretty, dry, sun-free spot to keep your favorite pieces off the counter.
Stretch bracelets: make the cord last
Stretch cord is comfy and easy, but it lasts longest when you:
- Roll the bracelet on and off instead of stretching it over your knuckles.
- Take it off to sleep and shower, so it isn't pulled and soaked every day.
- Store it flat rather than hanging it, so it isn't stretched under its own weight.
New to crystal bracelets? Our guide to choosing your stone and getting the size right will help you find the right one.
The 10-second Florida jewelry checklist
- Off before the ocean, pool, shower or bed
- On after sunscreen, lotion and bug spray
- Stored dry, out of direct sun, never on the dashboard
- Cleaned gently with a soft cloth, never soaked
- Selenite stays dry, always
Questions? Ask us in person
Care questions come up at the pop-up table all the time, and we're always happy to take a look at a piece. Find us at markets and events around Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and the nearby towns. Here's where we pop up. Or browse the bracelets and earrings online any time. Stay salty, stay mellow ♡
