Hand sanitizer has quickly become a "must-have" for everyone during this global pandemic. Though washing your hands is the best way to eliminate germs, sanitizer is the next best thing to keep you protected. As you might have noticed, frequent use of hand sanitizer can be damaging to your skin, but have you ever considered the effects it has on your jewelry?
The CDC recommends that you use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% ethyl alcohol. This amount of alcohol can be quite damaging to precious metals and gemstones, at times even eroding the finish on your rings. Hand sanitizer is most dangerous to white gold rings because of the rhodium plating process that is involved in creating the metal. Over time, the alcohol will wear down the metal, not only yellowing the typically white color but potentially breaking down the prongs and compromising the structural integrity of the piece.
The heavy exposure to alcohol is also not safe for certain precious stones. Stones that are soft in nature, such as opals and pearls, could be easily damaged by the chemicals found in hand sanitizer. Harder gemstones, such as diamonds, may not be susceptible to the damaging effects of chemicals, however, the frequent exposure will dull their shine and require more frequent cleaning.
So what can you do to help prolong the beauty of your jewelry, while still keeping yourself safe from germs? The best option would be to remove your rings before applying any hand sanitizer. Also, be sure your hands are completely dry before putting your jewelry back on. If removing your jewelry is not an option be sure to frequently clean your items to help remove any chemicals left behind by the hand sanitizer.
To properly clean your rings at home fill a bowl with warm water, add in a few drops of a mild dish detergent, scrub gently with an old toothbrush, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry on a clean cloth. And as always, we are happy to properly clean and inspect any of your jewelry in our store!
