While many may choose to forego jewelry altogether while soaking up the sun beachside or poolside, we know that you don’t have to sacrifice style while having outdoor fun! In today’s blog, we are discussing which jewelry will best complement your swimwear, the best practices for wearing jewelry at the beach or pool, and hazards you should watch out for with your jewelry!
Staying Stylish in the Sun!
We all want to look our best while vacationing or even spending a peaceful afternoon by the pool. Sitting poolside or relaxing by the beach does not mean you have to forego all your beloved jewelry but it does mean that you need to put a little thought into what you wear.
Consider diamond studs or smaller colored gemstones for your earrings. The sun will be sure to make them sparkle. Pair them with a wide-brimmed hat and/or your dark sunglasses for a sassy but sophisticated look! Hoops are also flattering with your swimwear and coverup but if you are planning on an active day of pool or beach fun, you may want to remove them so they don’t get caught on anything.
Necklaces are a fun accessory with your swim attire. Like hoop earrings, consider removing the necklace if you are planning on an active day so it does not get lost. You must also make sure your necklace is securely fastened so it does not unknowingly slip off while you are having fun. Pendant necklaces complement the v-neck styles of many suits but keep in mind the tan lines you can get from any necklace you choose!
Contrast + Color with Jewelry and Swimsuits
When coordinating your jewelry with your swim attire there are two things to consider: Contrast and color. Examples of contrast would be white gold with a royal blue or yellow gold with a dark purple bathing suit. Yellow gold with a black or white bathing suit gives that iconic, classic, vintage look while blue or green bathing suits are complemented by white gold or silver metals giving a cool and collected look.
Solid-colored bathing suits can be paired with any gemstones. Imagine your slimming black bathing suit paired with sparkling ruby earrings or a white bathing suit paired with a deep blue sapphire! Is your suit in a warm tone like red, orange, or yellow, or a cool tone like blue, green, or purple? Coordinate the gemstones with the same color for a monochrome look but remember diamonds look great with any color bathing suit!
For multicolored bathing suits, consider pulling out a gemstone color that coordinates with it and wear the gemstone studs or a small pendant necklace. Amethyst gemstones pull the purple tones, aquamarine pulls blue stones, and emeralds pull green tones.
Some gemstones like citrine, opals, and topaz are not really recommended jewelry for the beach or pool because they can be scratched very easily. Pearls can also be degraded by pool chemicals or the sand at the beach. If you choose to wear these gemstones or pearls, take special care when wearing them.
Hazards with Jewelry for the Beach or Pool
We love the refreshing icy cold water after basking in the sun, but remember that cold water will shrink your hands. This could easily cause normally well-fitting rings to become loose and slide off. Sadly, many vacationers have lost their wedding rings on the beach because they didn’t realize this. Don’t make the same mistake. If you choose to wear your wedding rings at the beach or pool, consider removing them and placing them in a safe place before taking a dip.
When diving into a pool or playing in the waves, don’t forget about your earrings. Make sure they are securely clasped if you do not choose to remove them. Earrings with screw backs or secure lock backs are best because they are the most secure.
Screwback earrings have special threaded posts and the backs must be screwed in place. Standard earrings backs are called pushbacks and while they may feel secure for everyday wear, the force of the water against them could pull them loose.
A secure lock back is a large plastic disc that rests upon the earring and is often used with fine gemstones. The downside to secure lock backs is that if you have a smaller ear lobe then you could possibly see the disc at the bottom of it.
When your beach or pool fun is over for the day be sure to give your jewelry a good cleaning, pool chemicals, saltwater, and suntan lotions can all cause your jewelry to tarnish more quickly. A delicate scrub with soap and water should do the trick.
Storing Your Jewelry While Swimming
If you do choose to remove your jewelry before swimming, be sure to have a safe and sturdy place to store them. Plastic zip lock bags are often a go-to because of their secure closure and waterproofing, but this is not a great choice. When you seal fine jewelry into ziplock bags, you create a combination of light and moisture that can cause oxidation in metals. Gold, sterling silver, and brass metals are most prone to tarnish and can tarnish quickly!
To avoid tarnishing, your jewelry needs ventilation and out of the sun. Always store your jewelry away from other jewelry to slow any oxidization also. Consider sturdy organza bags, larger plastic containers (that allow some ventilation), or if your heart is set on a ziplock style bag, purchase anti-tarnish bags or anti-tarnish strips to place in the bags.
Isbell Jewelers Can Help with Your Vacation Accessories!
We know how fun it is to find the perfect jewelry to go with an outfit. Whether you are planning a tropical beach vacation or relaxing days by the pool, we can help you find the perfect jewelry for the beach or pool to complement your look! Stop by our showroom to see our collection or browse our gallery online for inspiration.