It's summer, which means bare skin and lots of sunscreen. Add any metal jewelry to that mix and you could quickly end up with a green neck. Yuck. "Humidity, sweat and oils, plus general dirt and additional products like sunscreen can fast track patinas forming, and will definitely turn some necks green," says local jewelry designer Laura Lombardi.
Below she offers her tips for preserving a piece of jewelry's shine and avoiding unsightly skin discoloration.
It is always best to take off jewelry every night before going to bed, and to refrain from wearing while in the shower or exercising. When not in use, store your jewelry in an airtight case in a humidity free area (so not in the bathroom!). Applying products (this includes moisturizers, sunscreens, sprays, and perfume) before putting jewelry on can prolong its luster significantly. These products will cause patina on unfinished/raw metals, as well as sterling silver, and wear down gold or silver plating. The best way to prolong shine and prevent patina is to clean your jewelry with a polishing cloth every so often, or after every wear in the summer months.
Another DIY cleaning method for heavier patina build-up is to take 2 tablespoons of baking soda and add drops of lemon juice to form a paste. The lemon juice will bubble and fizz as you add. Take an old toothbrush and apply the paste to your piece and scrub. Let it sit in the paste for about 30 minutes and then rinse it with water and dry it thoroughly. Drying thoroughly is key!!!
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