6 Everyday Activities That Could Be Damaging Your Jewelry

We all have jewelry pieces we treasure—gifts from loved ones, heirlooms passed down through generations, or pieces that commemorate special moments in our lives. These meaningful treasures deserve care that ensures we can enjoy them for years to come.

After over 15 years working with luxury jewelry brands and consulting on countless repairs, I've noticed a pattern: people are often surprised when their jewelry needs repair, insisting they've done nothing to cause damage. "I'm not a construction worker!" is a common refrain from frustrated clients.

The truth is, it's rarely one dramatic incident that causes problems. Instead, it's the cumulative effect of everyday activities—routine tasks we barely think about—that gradually wear down even the finest pieces. Here are six common situations where removing your jewelry first can save you from costly repairs down the road.

1. Gardening

Gardens may be peaceful, but they're surprisingly hard on rings. Even with gloves on, gripping tools tightly—like a shovel or trowel—can bend rings out of shape without you realizing it. This misshaping isn't just cosmetic; when a ring becomes out-of-round, it stretches the metal and loosens stone settings.

Once stretched, settings often need to be completely replaced rather than simply repaired. Gemstones that were once secure become vulnerable to falling out. The dirt and grit that works its way under settings can also scratch both metal and stones, dulling their finish over time.

Before you head outside to plant or weed, leave your rings safely inside.

2. Household Chores

That moment when you knock your ring against the washing machine while loading laundry, or dunk your hand into cleaning solution without thinking—we've all been there. Unfortunately, the chemicals we use to keep our homes clean are often harsh on jewelry.

Bleach is particularly damaging. It can strip away patinas and surface treatments, leaving metal looking dull or discolored. Even worse, bleach and chlorine break down the alloy metals mixed with gold to make it durable, eventually causing cracks and weakening solder joints.

Most jewelry is carefully finished with polished or treated surfaces. Exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals—from floor cleaners to bathroom products—can compromise these finishes, sometimes irreversibly.

Consider establishing a jewelry dish near your kitchen or laundry room as a reminder to remove pieces before tackling household tasks.

3. Working Out at the Gym

The gym presents multiple hazards for jewelry. When you grip metal weights or grasp exercise machine handles, you're subjecting your rings to impact and pressure that can bend prongs and misshape bands. Meanwhile, salty sweat coats everything, accelerating tarnish on silver and dulling finishes on all metals.

Bracelets and necklaces are especially vulnerable. They can catch on equipment, get snagged during movement, or tangle together—often breaking in the process. If they don't break, you might find yourself retracing your workout route trying to locate a piece that slipped off unnoticed.

Leave your jewelry in your locker or at home. Your wedding band will be there waiting when you're done.

4. Showering and Swimming

Body products, shampoos, and soaps create buildup on jewelry surfaces, causing tarnish and dulling metal finishes. For pearls and other sensitive gemstones, these products can remove natural luster permanently.

Pool and hot tub chemicals are even more destructive. Chlorine can discolor and disintegrate precious metals over time. Salt water blackens sterling silver. Heat and sunscreen accelerate these tarnishing processes. The combination of water and soap also loosens earring backs, washing them down drains before you realize they're gone.

If you want your jewelry to maintain its beauty, keep it out of water—whether that's your shower, the pool, or the ocean.

5. Sleeping

It might seem harmless to sleep in your jewelry, but a full night of pressure and movement takes its toll. Earring posts bend when your head rests on them—and posts can only be straightened a few times before they break. Plus, sleeping on earrings simply hurts.

If you insist on keeping studs in overnight, check and tighten the backs every morning. Earring backs are held by friction, and even threaded backs can work loose over time. Going days or weeks without checking them is an invitation for loss.

Rings catch on sheets and blankets, pulling at prongs you don't even realize are loosening. Your fingers often swell during sleep, making rings uncomfortable or even stuck. Necklaces become tangled in hair and knotted with each other—damage that often requires complete chain replacement, especially costly with gold chains.

Give yourself and your jewelry a rest at night.

6. Getting Ready in the Morning

There's wisdom in the old saying: jewelry should be the last thing you put on before starting your day and the first thing you remove at night.

Hairspray, perfume, and lotion are among the biggest culprits of jewelry damage. Hairspray creates a sticky coating on earrings. Perfume spritzes leave metal looking speckled and dirty. Hand lotion applied over rings works its way into design crevices, collecting dirt and preventing light from reaching gemstones.

Even more concerning, lotion can harden under stone settings, gradually working gems loose over time. Certain gemstones—turquoise, opal, and pearls in particular—can be permanently stained by body products and fragrances.

Make it a habit: complete your beauty routine first, then add your jewelry as the finishing touch.

A Small Investment of Attention

None of this means your jewelry is too fragile to wear. These pieces are made to be enjoyed, not locked away. But a little mindfulness about when and where you wear them goes a long way toward preserving their beauty and integrity.

Think of it as an investment in the relationship you have with your jewelry. These pieces hold memories and meaning. Taking a few extra seconds to remove them before certain activities ensures they'll continue telling their stories—and yours—for generations to come.

At Melissa Scoppa Jewelry, each piece is handcrafted with care to last a lifetime. Protect your investment with thoughtful wear and proper care. Visit melissascoppa.com