Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: Having worked in the jewelry industry over 20 years, I am now seeing an alarming rise in gold jewelry being ruined by exposure to laundry bleaches or swimming in chlorinated pools. A chemical reaction can take place between chlorine and the alloys used in gold jewelry. The jewelry can become brittle and fall apart over time.

It is so sad to see a piece of jewelry that has been passed down from generations past only to be ruined by the exposure to bleach. More and more people are now owning pools or hot tubs or are working out in pools. Please warn your readers to take off their gold jewelry. - Judy, Hooks, Texas

Thank you, Judy, for the warning! Readers, take heed! We checked with the World Gold Council, and here’s what they say: “Gold’s worst enemy is chlorine. Repeated exposure can weaken gold’s structure, eventually leading to breakage. So please keep your jewelry away from chlorinated cleaning products and out of swimming pools and Jacuzzis.”

If you want your gold jewelry to last and to be able to pass it on to others, don’t let it come in contact with chlorine bleach! - Heloise