Protecting Your Precious Pieces in Summer

Sun on your skin, the ocean breeze in your hair, and your favourite jewellery shimmering in the light – but then, those pesky parts of summer such as suncream and saltwater join the party. The summer months, synonymous with sun and sea, can be a challenging time for your precious pieces. To many, jewellery is not only an accessory, but a cherished keepsake; a timeless piece that holds sentimental value to each individual. Clogau is proud that our collections carry the spirit and history of Wales, and it is important to know how to maintain the timeless beauty of your Clogau piece through protection and care.

At the heart of every treasured piece of Clogau jewellery is not just exquisite craftsmanship, but an heirloom to be passed through generations. We have thoughtfully curated a guide of summer jewellery care tips to help you understand the care your piece deserves in summer—whether it is a timeless creation in sterling silver, the warm glow of 9ct or 18ct gold, or the lasting elegance of platinum. Each piece tells a story, and whether it is decorated with a diamond or a gemstone, the care it requires is just as distinctive.

How to Keep Your Gold Glistening

Sunlight and Tarnish

You can absolutely enjoy your gold jewellery in the sunshine! For long-lasting brilliance, we do recommend removing your jewellery before prolonged exposure to direct sunlight—such as sunbathing—as this may cause tarnishing over time. Higher-karat gold, like 18K and platinum, are known to endure hotter temperatures.  And remember, wear suncream, but protect your pendants, rings and bracelets from tarnishing at the same time – you want a tan, not your jewellery!

Poolside Protocol

You may wonder, can you wear jewellery in the pool? To preserve your jewelleries luminous glow, it is best to remove it before enjoying a swim, as chlorine can temporarily dull the shine of your piece. Gold is a soft metal, and is susceptible to surface imperfections. Jewellery may look tough, but it is more delicate than it lets on. Avoid dropping it on hard surfaces (think tiles or countertops), take it off before exercising, and give it a regular polish to keep that sparkle going strong.

Clean to Keep the Gleam

Summer means more sun and time outside, and this can take a toll on your gold jewellery. Knowing how to clean it properly during the warmer months helps keep it shining, no matter how hot it gets. We would avoid abrasive materials that can scratch the gold when cleaning. If you do not have a specialist cleaning solution, such as the Clogau Clean, Care and Protect Kit, use a soft cloth, warm water and mild dishwashing detergent. Think of it as a spa day for your favourite pieces. This gentle cleaning method works beautifully for both gold and silver jewellery, helping you enjoy your favourite pieces all year round.

When you look after your favourite Clogau pieces, they will continue to celebrate all of life’s golden moments with you.

Ensuring Your Silver Stays Shiny

Silver Selections

At Clogau, we’re proud to offer a stunning collection of exclusive sterling silver pieces—and knowing how to clean silver jewellery year-round will help maintain their shine.  All Clogau silver jewellery is finished with rhodium plating to enhance shine and provide a durable, tarnish-resistant surface. Despite this, silver can tarnish over time when exposed to elements that it should not be. We would recommend removing your silver jewellery before coming into contact with anything such as hair and body products, perfumes, cleaning products, and chlorine.

Please note, Clogau silver jewellery is designed for occasional wear, and should not be worn constantly.

Tarnish Free Travels

In the warmer months, high humidity can speed up the tarnishing process (and remember, tarnish is the enemy), and summer is a time in which you will be outside and savouring the sunshine, we hope! In understanding how to prevent your Clogau pieces from tarnishing, we would always recommend removing your jewellery before any activities such as swimming, gardening, or exercising. In the rare instance that chlorine or prolonged exposure to sunlight causes harm to your piece, do not fret, as regular cleaning with most pieces will keep any damage at bay so you can enjoy your jewellery in the sunshine. On the occasion you do take your silver jewellery to the beach, we would suggest giving it a thorough rinse in fresh water afterwards, to remove any unwanted residue. No one wants a soapy sparkle!

Keeping a trusty polishing cloth in your travel bag, separating your jewellery whilst on the move to avoid scratches, and storing anti-tarnish strips with your pieces will ensure your silver will shine from take-off to touchdown.

From sunny holidays to everyday elegance, let your silver jewellery sparkle every step of the way.

How to Retain Your Gemstones Lustre

Glimmer Guide to Gems

There are few things as captivating as a glistening gemstone—and at Clogau, we’re proud to offer a dazzling selection of gemstone-adorned jewellery. From the sparkling topaz in our Celebration in Sterling Silver collection to the vibrant birthstones in our Paw Prints Birthstone range—such as ruby, moonstone, and sapphire—each piece is designed to delight and inspire. To help your gemstones hold their brilliance and beauty for the years to come, we recommend following a few simple care tips.  Whilst gemstones are naturally radiant, some—such as amethyst, opal and topaz—can be sensitive to prolonged exposure to strong light and heat, which may affect their colour or cause fractures. Opals are like introverts—they love quiet, shade, and no sudden changes. For days spent at the beach, it is best to store your jewellery safely at home or in a cool environment. Elements like sand and saltwater can loosen gemstone settings, and suncream or lotions can cloud your precious gemstones. Remember: take it off before you lather up!

Precious Pearls

At Clogau, a select few of our collections feature freshwater or saltwater pearls, and you may be wondering how to care for pearl jewellery. Pearls are naturally soft, and need delicate care. In the summer sun, your pearl can bleach under prolonged exposure to light.

With just a little care, your gemstone and pearl jewellery will continue to shine beautifully, just like the memories they help you celebrate.

Brilliance Preserved: Caring for Your Diamond

Store and Sparkle

Whether you are jetting off to Mykonos or road-tripping the stunning North Wales coast, you may be in need of tips for travelling with jewellery. We’ve got you!

If you would rather not wear your jewellery whilst traveling to your sunny holiday destination, you can store it securely in your carry-on bag, keeping it close by at all times. We would recommend packing each piece in a cloth pouch or a lined jewellery box short-term for extra protection whilst you are on the move. Thankfully, we offer a range of accessories to help you in storing your jewellery, such as Travel Cases and Watch Rolls, and you can find these here. If you are able to, try calling ahead to your hotel to ensure your accommodation provides access to a secure safe, so you can enjoy peace of mind whilst you are enjoying your time away. Whilst you wear SPF 50, your jewellery can have some protection, too!

Holidays and High-Carat Care

At Clogau, our Compose engagement rings are adorned with dazzling GIA certified diamonds, and you can begin designing your dream ring, or drop that ever-so subtle hint, with Compose by Clogau here: Compose – Clogau. Our Promises and Celebration collections feature stunning lab-grown diamonds, offering the same captivating sparkle with a modern touch. Whether natural or lab-grown, caring for your diamond in summer is key to preserving its enduring beauty. We will delve into lab-grown and natural diamonds in future articles, so please keep an eye out!  

Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth; a testament to their timeless strength and beauty. To keep your diamond jewellery in pristine condition when enjoying your summer break, we would recommend taking it off before swimming or entering any body of water, as wet fingers can cause rings to slip off unexpectedly. Diamonds may be forever, but not if they take a dip in chlorine with you. We would avoid touching the centre stone in any of your diamond pieces, especially after using suncream, as this can be transferred to or under the diamond, which can cause clouding and encumber the long-lasting brilliance. If your jewellery has more fingerprints than a crime scene, it is time for a clean.

To take that extra step in caring for your luxury jewellery whilst on the move and relaxing in your destination of choice, we would recommend travel insurance for your precious pieces to protect them in the event of loss, theft, or damage. Additionally, taking clear photographs of your jewellery serves as valuable documentation and can assist in recovery efforts, should the need arise. When it comes to safeguarding your treasured pieces, going the extra mile is always worthwhile.

The sparkle of your diamond should last through all seasons, reminiscent of the shimmering Grecian Sea or, more locally, Barmouth-ian!

Keep Your Watch Ticking: Caring for Your Timepiece

Maintenance Tips to Watch Out For

Clogau offers both women’s and men’s watches, named for the stunning regions within Wales, such as Brenig, Celyn, and Crafnant. Caring for your watch in summer will help maintain its lasting performance. To keep your watch looking sharp and running (or ticking!) smoothly, try to avoid wearing it in direct sunlight for extended periods, as heat can take a toll on the battery over time. If your watch has a leather strap, it is worth noting that sunscreen and perspiration do not always play nicely with leather. A bit of mindful care will help your watch stay in great shape for the long haul. When cleaning your Clogau watch, you should ensure that the glass is not scratched, therefore please use a soft cloth or brush.

Understanding ATM

All Clogau timepieces will have a level of water resistance, and these vary from 3 ATM to 10 ATM. It is important to know the ATM of your watch when entering the summer period. 3 ATM would mean your Clogau watch has a water resistance of up to 30 meters, indicating it would withstand rain or hand-washing, whilst 10 ATM would specify a water resistance of 100 meters, signifying your watch would be safe to use when snorkelling or diving.

Take care of your Clogau watch this summer, and it will reward you with enduring timeless and elegant style.

 

Further Information for your Care

We know summer can be a tricky time when it comes to protecting your jewellery, and we truly hope the tips we have shared will help in keeping your cherished pieces safe and sparkling all season long.

In the rare instance your jewellery is in need of a clean, you are more than welcome to visit one of our stores, where this service is offered with an instore ultra-sonic cleaning machine. If your precious piece is in need of a deeper clean, this can be returned to Head Office, at an affordable price of £7.00 - £13.50 for this service. Instructions on how to do this are available on our Returns page. If you would like further information on how to clean jewellery, please visit our Care and Cleaning page.

The best way to protect your jewellery in the event of loss or damage is to insure it, and register for our 2-Year Extended Warranty Service within 30 days of the purchase date.

Until next time: store your jewellery wisely, polish your pieces gently, and never let your silver sunbathe.

Stay sparkly,

Lydia Carter.

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