Posted on: Saturday, August 19, 2006
SATURDAY SCOOPS
At beach, ban the bling
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
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What's wrong with this picture? Plenty, in fact. Sherry Shaoling looks great in her jewelry, but the beach may cause damage or result in its loss.
DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser
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Tom Wheeler has heard the sad, sad story a thousand times: "I forgot to take off my engagement ring and Hawaiian bracelet before going to the beach, and I lost them in the water."
"The ocean is a known jewel thief. It's so easy for a ring or bracelet to fall off," warns Wheeler, owner of Opal Fields in Ward Warehouse and a gem appraiser through the American Gem Society.
Planning a swim in the open ocean? Then you may have additional worries. Wheeler also warns that jewelry may attract sharks. Shiny objects in the ocean are "a great fishing lure," he says.
Tips from Wheeler and the International Gemological Institute:
Don't wear your jewelry to the beach. Hands can become cold in the water, causing fingers to shrink and rings to slip off. Also, sand can scratch your gems.
Sunbathe sans sparklers. Suntan lotions, or any other oil or grease, can coat a gemstone, reducing the refractive and reflective light and resulting in loss of the stone's brilliance.
Be sure it's adequately insured. Those who insist on wearing a treasured piece of jewelry should have it appraised and get it covered by a policy protecting jewelry outside your home.
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PACK GEMS IN POUCHES FOR TRAVEL
Heading for the airport this weekend? You want to take jewelry along on the trip for dinners and nights out on the town, but do you dare?
Opal Fields owner Tom Wheeler and Jerry Ehrenwald, CEO of the International Gemological Institute, offer these tips for traveling with precious gems:
Organize to protect. Pack jewelry with extra care. A diamond can scratch a pearl, so store fine jewelry in individual soft cloth pouches or lined jewelry boxes.
To save time when flying, place jewelry you're wearing in carry-on bag until you clear security.
Wheeler advises you forgo wearing fine jewelry altogether while in transit: All the activity of lugging luggage, taking off shoes and rushing down hallways may expose your jewels to trauma, and you may not even notice losing a piece.
When selecting a hotel, make sure safe-deposit boxes are available for storing valuables.
Make sure your jewelry is adequately insured. Relying on a homeowners insurance policy may not provide sufficient protection for jewelry, particularly when traveling. It may also be advisable to have jewelry appraised by a professional jewelry appraiser to ensure a fair replacement in case of damage, theft or loss.
Reach Paula Rath at prath@honoluluadvertiser.com.
