Seasonal Jewelry Care: How Climate Affects Your Pieces

Your jewelry interacts constantly with the environment, responding subtly to shifts in temperature, humidity, and daily conditions. In humid weather, silver tarnishes more quickly as moisture accelerates oxidation. In contrast, in dry, cold climates, gold and steel may feel stiffer or more brittle due to natural contraction. Understanding how each season influences your jewelry allows you to adjust your care routine with intention, preserving brilliance and extending longevity. By treating your pieces with awareness, you ensure that their beauty remains consistent no matter what the weather brings.

Winter Wisdom

In winter, lower temperatures cause metals to contract slightly—an invisible change that can still affect how your jewelry feels and fits. Rings may feel tighter on colder days, and delicate settings with tiny gemstones can loosen slowly over time. Sudden temperature changes—such as bringing jewelry from a freezing car into a warm room—can also stress metals and compromise structural integrity.

Take extra care during this season by wiping your pieces regularly after removing gloves or thick sweaters; soft fibers can cling to prongs, clasps, or chains. Store your jewelry in a dry, insulated space to prevent condensation and maintain stability. A gentle cleaning routine during the colder months helps keep your pieces polished, protected, and comfortable to wear.

Summer Protection

Summer introduces a whole set of new challenges: heat, salt, sweat, and increased outdoor activity. High temperatures can expand metal slightly, making rings feel looser, while sweat and skin oils may accumulate more quickly, dulling the surface of your jewelry. Chlorine from pools and saltwater from the ocean are especially harsh—they can discolor metals, weaken settings, and cloud the appearance of certain gemstones.

To protect your pieces, always remove jewelry before swimming or exercising. When applying sunscreen, perfume, or body lotion, give your skin time to absorb the product completely before putting on any jewelry, preventing residue buildup that can cause tarnish or irritation. After long summer days, a quick wipe with a soft cloth helps maintain shine and removes impurities.

Treat your Aurum jewelry like living art—responsive, precious, and deserving of thoughtful care through every season. With mindful attention, each piece will continue to reflect its original brilliance while adapting gracefully to the rhythm of your life and the world around yo